Lithium Contamination

Lithium in Utah Drinking Water

Ranked by max lithium detected (µg/L) · UCMR 5 data (2023–2025) · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

Cities Tested

Detected

100%

% Detected

55.6 µg/L

State Avg

▼ 0% vs national

vs National

150

Health Violations

Analysis

Lithium in Utah: what the data shows

Utah has 64 cities with lithium data from the EPA's UCMR 5 program (2023–2025). Lithium was detected in 64 of those cities. There is currently no federal MCL or health advisory for lithium — the state average max detected level is 55.6 µg/L. Nationally, lithium is detected in roughly 28% of sampled water systems. Lithium occurs naturally in groundwater, particularly in arid western states, and is concentrated in some surface waters near industrial discharge or geothermal sources. UCMR 5 added lithium monitoring in 2023, providing the first systematic national snapshot of public-water lithium levels. At therapeutic doses (administered as a medication), lithium is used to treat bipolar disorder. Chronic low-dose exposure from drinking water has been associated in some studies with effects on thyroid function and possibly mood. The most protective state guidance value is around 60 µg/L. Reverse osmosis and ion exchange are effective removal methods.

Comparison

Cities exceeding No federal MCL or HA

Utah

100%

64 of 64 cities

← = Exactly at national rate

National avg

100%

2808 of 2808 cities

City Map

Lithium data across Utah

Each dot is a city with UCMR 5 lithium testing data. Detected cities are shown — there is no federal limit, though some states use 60 µg/L as a screening level. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by lithium level in Utah

Highest Lithium levels (µg/L)

All Cities

All Utah cities ranked by lithium level

#	City	Level	Detected?	Violations	Grade
1	Draper	960.0 µg/L	Detected	18	F
2	Magna	258.0 µg/L	Detected	1	B+
3	Eagle Mountain	220.0 µg/L	Detected	25	D
4	St George City	180.0 µg/L	Detected	4	B+
5	Ephraim	120.0 µg/L	Detected	1	A-
6	Ogden	110.0 µg/L	Detected	5	F
7	West Jordan	98.0 µg/L	Detected	7	C+
8	Richfield	93.5 µg/L	Detected	13	A-
9	Heber City	84.0 µg/L	Detected	34	F
10	Hildale	71.0 µg/L	Detected	2	F
11	Tremonton	61.0 µg/L	Detected	27	D
12	Perry	54.6 µg/L	Detected	2	A-
13	North Salt Lake	54.2 µg/L	Detected	4	C-
14	Gunnison	51.0 µg/L	Detected	12	A-
15	Stansbury Park	48.0 µg/L	Detected	15	C+
16	Salt Lake City	42.8 µg/L	Detected	26	F
17	Spanish Fork	42.5 µg/L	Detected	26	F
18	Riverton	42.0 µg/L	Detected	1	B+
19	Kearns	42.0 µg/L	Detected	6	B
20	Farmington	40.4 µg/L	Detected	14	B-
21	Roosevelt	37.0 µg/L	Detected	3	D
22	Tooele	36.1 µg/L	Detected	5	F
23	Saratoga Springs	33.8 µg/L	Detected	16	F
24	Herriman	33.0 µg/L	Detected	13	D+
25	Roy	31.6 µg/L	Detected	1	B-
26	Hurricane	30.9 µg/L	Detected	8	C+
27	Delta	30.2 µg/L	Detected	20	D
28	Provo	27.0 µg/L	Detected	45	D
29	Orem	26.9 µg/L	Detected	76	F
30	Bountiful	26.1 µg/L	Detected	9	D
31	Coalville	26.0 µg/L	Detected	21	F
32	Ivins	25.1 µg/L	Detected	6	B+
33	Manti	24.9 µg/L	Detected	1	B+
34	Cedar City	24.0 µg/L	Detected	115	F
35	Park City	24.0 µg/L	Detected	10	F
36	Morgan	23.0 µg/L	Detected	28	D
37	Springville	22.0 µg/L	Detected	8	C
38	Price	21.6 µg/L	Detected	5	D
39	Lehi	21.4 µg/L	Detected	17	F
40	Elwood	21.0 µg/L	Detected	8	B-
41	Grantsville	20.0 µg/L	Detected	7	C
42	Santa Clara	19.9 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
43	Plain City	19.5 µg/L	Detected	2	B
44	Santaquin	17.2 µg/L	Detected	1	D
45	West Point	17.2 µg/L	Detected	5	B
46	Bluffdale	16.6 µg/L	Detected	7	C
47	Smithfield	16.0 µg/L	Detected	3	F
48	Ft. Duchesne	16.0 µg/L	Detected	18	F
49	Mount Pleasant	15.0 µg/L	Detected	17	C+
50	Clinton	14.7 µg/L	Detected	9	C+
51	West Haven	14.6 µg/L	Detected	2	B+
52	Woods Cross	14.5 µg/L	Detected	0	A-
53	Layton	14.0 µg/L	Detected	1	A-
54	Wellsville	13.0 µg/L	Detected	16	D+
55	Kaysville	13.0 µg/L	Detected	7	C+
56	Brigham City	12.2 µg/L	Detected	14	C-
57	Nephi	12.0 µg/L	Detected	2	A-
58	Sandy	11.5 µg/L	Detected	13	F
59	Riverdale	11.1 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
60	Syracuse	11.0 µg/L	Detected	3	B-
61	Washington Terrace	11.0 µg/L	Detected	0	A-
62	La Verkin	10.0 µg/L	Detected	1	A-
63	Fruit Heights	9.9 µg/L	Detected	1	B-
64	South Jordan	9.9 µg/L	Detected	4	C+

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about lithium in Utah

Is lithium in Utah tap water harmful?

Lithium has no federal MCL or health advisory. Some state agencies use 60 µg/L as a screening level. 64 cities in Utah had detectable lithium in UCMR 5 testing. Therapeutic lithium doses (used to treat bipolar disorder) are far higher than typical drinking-water levels, but chronic low-level exposure has been studied for potential thyroid and mood effects.

Where does lithium in tap water come from?

Lithium occurs naturally in groundwater, especially in arid western states with lithium-bearing geology (parts of Nevada, California, North Carolina, Texas). It can also enter water from industrial sources such as battery manufacturing, ceramics, and lithium-mining wastewater. Geothermal hot springs are another natural source.

How can I remove lithium from my drinking water?

Reverse osmosis is highly effective at removing lithium, typically reducing it by 90% or more. Ion exchange systems and distillation also work well. Standard activated carbon filters are NOT effective against lithium. If you rely on a private well in a lithium-rich geological area, consider testing.

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