WaterVerge

Is Union City, OK Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded D, with 5 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

618 residents served 1 water system PWSID: OK3000909
Overall Score
49 / 100
Violations
5 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
GUP
#247 of 358 in Oklahoma Top 85% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
DGRADE
Water Quality Grade
49/100
waterverge.com
D 49/100

Union City, OK — Water Quality Report

Union City's drinking water received a grade of D (49 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 618 residents using gup.

Lead levels were measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.

The system has 39 violations on record, including 24 health-based violations. 5 remain unresolved.

Data last updated: May 2026 · Source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5
Analysis

What to know about Union City's water

Union City ranks #247 out of 358 cities in Oklahoma for water quality, placing it below average in the state.

As a small community water system, Union City may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

The system has seen 22 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
49 out of 100 Grade D
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
0/45
F
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
8/10
B
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
4/5
B
Water source: GUP.
Water Safety

Is Union City, OK water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Union City's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of D (49/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 618 residents using gup.

5
Active Violations
0.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
5 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Union City

A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Union City's water quality assessment. Grade: D (49/100).

Violation
2 drinking water violations recorded

2 health-based. Contaminants: TTHM.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: TTHM.

Violation
2 drinking water violations recorded

2 health-based. Contaminants: TTHM.

Disaster
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3219). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Disaster
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-794). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Key contaminant findings

Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Union City's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 0.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Union City's water system has 39 total violations on record, including 24 health-based violations. 5 remain unresolved. 22 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

MCLMROther
Most recent violations:
Jan 2025 TTHM Resolved
Jan 2025 TTHM Resolved
Dec 2024 TTHM Open
Oct 2024 TTHM Resolved
Oct 2024 TTHM Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Canadian County has experienced 5 federally declared disasters since 1974. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies.

HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA DR-3219
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-794
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-778

Where does Union City's water come from?

Union City's drinking water comes from gup, supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 618 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment.

What Union City residents can do

Install a water filter

Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Union City's water.

Request your utility's CCR

Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.

Monitor alerts during storms

Union City's area has a history of flooding. After severe weather, watch for boil water advisories from your local utility.

Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.

Contaminant Alerts

Top contaminants to know

View all ↓
Lead (90th percentile)
Inorganic / Heavy Metal
Safe
0.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 0% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

39
Total violations
24
Health-based
5
Active / unresolved
Jan 2025
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

39 Total
5 Active
24 Health-based
34 Resolved
8 SNC
Violations by category
Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
30
Total Coliform Rule
7
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
1
Consumer Confidence Rule
1
Dec 2024 Active
TTHM
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Sep 2023 Active
TTHM
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jun 2023 Active
TTHM
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Apr 2015 Active
TTHM
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 2013 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jan 2025 Resolved
TTHM
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Mar 2025
Jan 2025 Resolved
TTHM
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Mar 2025
Oct 2024 Resolved
TTHM
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Dec 2024
Oct 2024 Resolved
TTHM
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Dec 2024
Jul 2024 Resolved
TTHM
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Sep 2024
Jul 2024 Resolved
TTHM
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Sep 2024
Jun 2024 Resolved
Chlorine
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2024
Apr 2024 Resolved
TTHM
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Jun 2024
Apr 2024 Resolved
TTHM
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Jun 2024
Jan 2024 Resolved
TTHM
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Mar 2024
Jan 2024 Resolved
TTHM
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Mar 2024
Oct 2023 Resolved
TTHM
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Dec 2023
Oct 2023 Resolved
TTHM
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Dec 2023
Jul 2023 Resolved
TTHM
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Sep 2023
Jul 2023 Resolved
TTHM
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Sep 2023
Showing 20 of 39 violations
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Union City

Industrial polluters nearby

Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Union City, ranked by pounds discharged annually.

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
DEXTER AXLE
Transportation Equipment · BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT (US) INC
EL RENO, OK73036
7.9 mi
GEMINI COATINGS INC
Chemicals · GEMINI INDUSTRIES INC
EL RENO, OK73036
8.2 mi
PILOT THOMAS LOGISTICS LLC - EL RENO
Petroleum Bulk Terminals · THOMAS PETROLEUM LLC
EL RENO, OK73036
7.6 mi
CHISHOLM TRAIL GAS COMPLEX
Natural Gas Processing · VALIDUS ENERGY MIDSTREAM LLC
TUTTLE, OK73089
8.7 mi
GENERAL SHALE BRICK INC. - PLANT 49
Nonmetallic Mineral Product · GENERAL SHALE BRICK INC
UNION CITY, OK73090
3.1 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D3 — extreme drought

Canadian County is currently in D3 (extreme drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). Drought can elevate disinfection-byproduct (TTHM/HAA5) levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.

10
Weeks at D2+ (current streak)
13.3%
Months in D2+ (last 30y)
10
Weeks at D2+ (last 5y)

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

5
Declared disasters
Sep 2005
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Canadian County has experienced 5 federally declared disasters since 1974. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3219
Jul 1987
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #794
Oct 1986
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #778
Oct 1983
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #693
Nov 1974
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #453

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 0.0 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 15 ppb
Lead has decreased by 6.0 ppb from 1993 (6.0 ppb) to 2024 (0.0 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
GUP
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
618
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Union City's water comes from

GUP

Union City's water comes from groundwater under the direct influence of surface water, a designation that requires the same treatment rigor as surface water systems.

This source type is vulnerable to both surface contamination pathways and naturally occurring underground contaminants.

The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 618 people through 1 water system.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Union City

System Name PWSID Population Source
UNION CITY OK3000909 618 GUP
Regional Comparison

How Union City compares

Full Oklahoma rankings →

Union City's score of 49/100 is on par with the average of 45/100 among major Oklahoma cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.

Union City (this city)
49
Tulsa
48.5
Norman
38.4
Lawton
44.4
Oklahoma avg
45
City Profile

About Union City, OK

Wikipedia →

Union City is a town in Canadian County, Oklahoma, United States. As of the 2020 census, Union City had a population of 1,794. It is part of the Oklahoma City metropolitan statistical area.

Economic Profile
$80,417
Median Income
$255,367
Median Home Value
$925/mo
Median Rent
2%
Unemployment
Community
39.9
Median Age
9
People / sq mi
19%
College Educated
85.6%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Union City, OK tap water safe to drink?

Union City's water quality earned a grade of D (49/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #247 out of 358 cities tested in Oklahoma.

What contaminants are in Union City's water?

Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 39 violations are on record.

How is Union City's water quality grade calculated?

The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.

Do I need a water filter in Union City?

Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.

Where does Union City's water come from?

Union City's water is sourced from GUP. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 618 residents.

What health violations has Union City's water system had?

Union City has 24 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in January 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 5 violations remain unresolved.

How does Union City's water compare to other cities?

Union City ranks #247 out of 358 cities in Oklahoma (better than 31% of state cities) and #13382 out of 15744 cities nationally (15th percentile). The grade of D reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Union City's small water system affect quality?

Union City's system serves approximately 618 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 39 violations on record.