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Is Norman Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Yes! Generally Safe to Drink*

LAST UPDATED: 7:47 pm, July 29, 2022
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Table of Contents

Can You Drink Tap Water in Norman?

Yes, Norman's tap water is generally considered safe to drink as Norman has no active health based violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) that we are aware of. Other factors such as lead piping in a home, or low levels of pollutants on immunocompromised individuals, should also be considered, however. To find more recent info we might have, you can check out our boil water notice page or the city's water provider website.

According the EPA’s ECHO database, from April 30, 2019 to June 30, 2022, Norman's water utility, Norman, had 1 non-health-based violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act. For more details on the violations, please see our violation history section below. The last violation for Norman was resolved on March 31, 2021. This assessment is based on the Norman water system, other water systems in the city may have different results.

While tap water that meets the EPA health guidelines generally won’t make you sick to your stomach, it can still contain regulated and unregulated contaminants present in trace amounts that could potentially cause health issues over the long-run. These trace contaminants may also impact immunocompromised and vulnerable individuals.

The EPA is reviewing if it’s current regulations around pollutant levels in tap water are strict enough, and the health dangers posed by unregulated pollutants, like PFAS.

Water Quality Report for Norman Tap Water

The most recent publicly available numbers for measured contaminant levels in Norman tap water are in its 2020 Water Quality Report. As you can see, there are levels which the EPA considers to be acceptable, but being below the maximum allowable level doesn’t necessarily mean the water is healthy.

Lead in tap water, for example, is currently allowed at up to 15ppb by the EPA, but it has set the ideal goal for lead at zero. This highlights how meeting EPA standards doesn’t necessarily mean local tap water is healthy.

EPA regulations continue to change as it evaluates the long term impacts of chemicals and updates drinking water acceptable levels. The rules around arsenic, as well as, lead and copper are currently being re-evaluated.

There are also a number of "emerging" contaminants that are not currently. For example, PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), for which the EPA has issued a health advisory. PFAS are called "forever chemicals" since they tend not to break down in the environment or the human body and can accumulate over time.

We recommend looking at the contaminants present in Norman's water quality reports, or getting your home's tap water tested to see if you should be filtering your water.

Norman Tap Water Safe Drinking Water Act Violation History - Prior 10 Years

Below is a ten year history of violations for the water system named Norman for Norman in Oklahoma. For more details please see the "What do these Violations Mean?" section below.

From Jan. 1, 2021 to March 31, 2021, Norman had 1 non-health based Safe Drinking Water Act violation with the violation category being Monitoring and Reporting, more specifically, the violation code was Monitoring, Regular which falls into the Chemicals rule code group, and the Synthetic Organic Chemicals rule code family for the following contaminant code: Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate.

For the compliance period beginning Jan. 20, 2015, Norman had 1 non-health based Safe Drinking Water Act violation with the violation category being Monitoring and Reporting, more specifically, the violation code was Monitoring, Source Water (GWR) which falls into the Microbials rule code group, and the Groundwater Rule rule code family for the following contaminant code: E. COLI.

For the compliance period beginning Jan. 1, 2015, Norman had 1 non-health based Safe Drinking Water Act violation with the violation category being Monitoring and Reporting, more specifically, the violation code was Monitoring, Source Water (GWR) which falls into the Microbials rule code group, and the Groundwater Rule rule code family for the following contaminant code: E. COLI.

For the compliance period beginning Dec. 30, 2014, Norman had 1 non-health based Safe Drinking Water Act violation with the violation category being Monitoring and Reporting, more specifically, the violation code was Monitoring, Source Water (GWR) which falls into the Microbials rule code group, and the Groundwater Rule rule code family for the following contaminant code: E. COLI.

For the compliance period beginning Aug. 27, 2014, Norman had 1 non-health based Safe Drinking Water Act violation with the violation category being Monitoring and Reporting, more specifically, the violation code was Monitoring, Source Water (GWR) which falls into the Microbials rule code group, and the Groundwater Rule rule code family for the following contaminant code: E. COLI.

For the compliance period beginning May 21, 2014, Norman had 1 non-health based Safe Drinking Water Act violation with the violation category being Monitoring and Reporting, more specifically, the violation code was Monitoring, Source Water (GWR) which falls into the Microbials rule code group, and the Groundwater Rule rule code family for the following contaminant code: E. COLI.

From April 1, 2014 to June 30, 2014, Norman had 2 health-based Safe Drinking Water Act violations with the violation category being Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, more specifically, the violation code was Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average which falls into the Chemicals rule code group, and the Radionuclides rule code family for the following contaminant codes: Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U, Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U.

From March 1, 2014 to May 31, 2014, Norman had 2 non-health based Safe Drinking Water Act violations with the violation category being Monitoring and Reporting, more specifically, the violation code was Monitoring and Reporting (DBP) which falls into the Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule rule code group, and the Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule rule code family for the following contaminant codes: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), TTHM.

From Jan. 1, 2014 to March 31, 2014, Norman had 2 health-based Safe Drinking Water Act violations with the violation category being Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, more specifically, the violation code was Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average which falls into the Chemicals rule code group, and the Radionuclides rule code family for the following contaminant codes: Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U, Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U.

From Jan. 1, 2014 to March 31, 2014, Norman had 2 health-based Safe Drinking Water Act violations with the violation category being Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, more specifically, the violation code was Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average which falls into the Chemicals rule code group, and the Inorganic Chemicals rule code family for the following contaminant codes: Arsenic, Arsenic.

From Oct. 1, 2013 to Dec. 31, 2013, Norman had 2 health-based Safe Drinking Water Act violations with the violation category being Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, more specifically, the violation code was Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average which falls into the Chemicals rule code group, and the Radionuclides rule code family for the following contaminant codes: Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U, Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U.

From Oct. 1, 2013 to Dec. 31, 2013, Norman had 1 health-based Safe Drinking Water Act violation with the violation category being Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, more specifically, the violation code was Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average which falls into the Chemicals rule code group, and the Inorganic Chemicals rule code family for the following contaminant code: Arsenic.

From July 1, 2013 to Sept. 30, 2013, Norman had 3 health-based Safe Drinking Water Act violations with the violation category being Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, more specifically, the violation code was Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average which falls into the Chemicals rule code group, and the Radionuclides rule code family for the following contaminant codes: Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U, Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U, Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U.

From April 1, 2013 to June 30, 2013, Norman had 1 health-based Safe Drinking Water Act violation with the violation category being Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, more specifically, the violation code was Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average which falls into the Chemicals rule code group, and the Radionuclides rule code family for the following contaminant code: Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U.

From Jan. 1, 2013 to March 31, 2013, Norman had 1 health-based Safe Drinking Water Act violation with the violation category being Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, more specifically, the violation code was Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average which falls into the Chemicals rule code group, and the Radionuclides rule code family for the following contaminant code: Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U.

From Oct. 1, 2012 to Dec. 31, 2012, Norman had 2 health-based Safe Drinking Water Act violations with the violation category being Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, more specifically, the violation code was Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average which falls into the Chemicals rule code group, and the Radionuclides rule code family for the following contaminant codes: Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U, Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U.

Is there Lead in Norman Water?

Based on the EPA’s ECHO Database, 90% of the samples taken from the Norman water system, Norman, between sample start date and sample end date, were at or below, 0.0 mg/L of lead in Norman water. This is 0% of the 0.015 mg/L action level. This means 10% of the samples taken from Norman contained more lead.

While Norman water testing may have found 0.0 mg/L of lead in its water, that does not mean your water source has the same amount. The amount of lead in water in a city can vary greatly from neighborhood to neighborhood, or even building to building. Many buildings, particularly older ones, have lead pipes or service lines which can be a source of contamination. To find out if your home has lead, we recommend getting you water tested.

No amount of lead in water is healthy, only less dangerous. As lead accumulates in our bodies over time, even exposure to relatively small amounts can have negative health effects. For more information, please check out our Lead FAQ page.

Are there PFAS in Norman Tap Water?

Currently, testing tap water for PFAS isn’t mandated on a national level. We do have a list of military bases where there have been suspected or confirmed leaks. There appears to be at least one military base - Tinker Air Force Base - near Norman with suspected leaks.

With many potential sources of PFAS in tap water across the US, the best information we currently have about which cities have PFAS in their water is this ewg map, which you can check to see if Norman has been evaluated for yet.

Our stance is better safe than sorry, and that it makes sense to try to purify the tap water just in case.

Norman SDWA Violation History Table - Prior 10 Years

Compliance Period Status Health-Based? Category Code Code Rule Code Contaminant Code Rule Group Code Rule Family Code
01/01/2021 - 03/31/2021 Resolved No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring, Regular (03) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320) Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (2039) Chemicals (300) Synthetic Organic Chemicals (320)
01/20/2015 - Resolved No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring, Source Water (GWR) (34) Ground Water Rule (140) E. COLI (3014) Microbials (100) Groundwater Rule (140)
01/01/2015 - Resolved No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring, Source Water (GWR) (34) Ground Water Rule (140) E. COLI (3014) Microbials (100) Groundwater Rule (140)
12/30/2014 - Resolved No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring, Source Water (GWR) (34) Ground Water Rule (140) E. COLI (3014) Microbials (100) Groundwater Rule (140)
08/27/2014 - Resolved No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring, Source Water (GWR) (34) Ground Water Rule (140) E. COLI (3014) Microbials (100) Groundwater Rule (140)
05/21/2014 - Resolved No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring, Source Water (GWR) (34) Ground Water Rule (140) E. COLI (3014) Microbials (100) Groundwater Rule (140)
04/01/2014 - 06/30/2014 Resolved Yes Maximum Contaminant Level Violation (MCL) Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average (02) Radionuclides (340) Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U (4000) Chemicals (300) Radionuclides (340)
04/01/2014 - 06/30/2014 Resolved Yes Maximum Contaminant Level Violation (MCL) Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average (02) Radionuclides (340) Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U (4000) Chemicals (300) Radionuclides (340)
03/01/2014 - 05/31/2014 Resolved No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring and Reporting (DBP) (27) Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (220) Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) (2456) Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (200) Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (220)
03/01/2014 - 05/31/2014 Resolved No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Monitoring and Reporting (DBP) (27) Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (220) TTHM (2950) Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (200) Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (220)
01/01/2014 - 03/31/2014 Resolved Yes Maximum Contaminant Level Violation (MCL) Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average (02) Radionuclides (340) Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U (4000) Chemicals (300) Radionuclides (340)
01/01/2014 - 03/31/2014 Resolved Yes Maximum Contaminant Level Violation (MCL) Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average (02) Radionuclides (340) Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U (4000) Chemicals (300) Radionuclides (340)
01/01/2014 - 03/31/2014 Resolved Yes Maximum Contaminant Level Violation (MCL) Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average (02) Arsenic (332) Arsenic (1005) Chemicals (300) Inorganic Chemicals (330)
01/01/2014 - 03/31/2014 Resolved Yes Maximum Contaminant Level Violation (MCL) Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average (02) Arsenic (332) Arsenic (1005) Chemicals (300) Inorganic Chemicals (330)
10/01/2013 - 12/31/2013 Resolved Yes Maximum Contaminant Level Violation (MCL) Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average (02) Radionuclides (340) Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U (4000) Chemicals (300) Radionuclides (340)
10/01/2013 - 12/31/2013 Resolved Yes Maximum Contaminant Level Violation (MCL) Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average (02) Radionuclides (340) Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U (4000) Chemicals (300) Radionuclides (340)
10/01/2013 - 12/31/2013 Resolved Yes Maximum Contaminant Level Violation (MCL) Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average (02) Arsenic (332) Arsenic (1005) Chemicals (300) Inorganic Chemicals (330)
07/01/2013 - 09/30/2013 Resolved Yes Maximum Contaminant Level Violation (MCL) Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average (02) Radionuclides (340) Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U (4000) Chemicals (300) Radionuclides (340)
07/01/2013 - 09/30/2013 Resolved Yes Maximum Contaminant Level Violation (MCL) Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average (02) Radionuclides (340) Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U (4000) Chemicals (300) Radionuclides (340)
07/01/2013 - 09/30/2013 Resolved Yes Maximum Contaminant Level Violation (MCL) Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average (02) Radionuclides (340) Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U (4000) Chemicals (300) Radionuclides (340)
04/01/2013 - 06/30/2013 Resolved Yes Maximum Contaminant Level Violation (MCL) Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average (02) Radionuclides (340) Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U (4000) Chemicals (300) Radionuclides (340)
01/01/2013 - 03/31/2013 Resolved Yes Maximum Contaminant Level Violation (MCL) Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average (02) Radionuclides (340) Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U (4000) Chemicals (300) Radionuclides (340)
10/01/2012 - 12/31/2012 Resolved Yes Maximum Contaminant Level Violation (MCL) Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average (02) Radionuclides (340) Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U (4000) Chemicals (300) Radionuclides (340)
10/01/2012 - 12/31/2012 Resolved Yes Maximum Contaminant Level Violation (MCL) Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average (02) Radionuclides (340) Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U (4000) Chemicals (300) Radionuclides (340)

What do these Violations Mean?

Safe Drinking Water Act Violations categories split into two groups, health based, and non-health based. Generally, health based violations are more serious, though non-health based violations can also be cause for concern.

Health Based Violations

  1. Maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) - maximum allowed contaminant level was exceeded.
  2. Maximum residual disinfectant levels (MRDLs) - maximum allowed disinfectant level was exceeded.
  3. Other violations (Other) - the exact required process to reduce the amounts of contaminants in drinking water was not followed.

Non-Health Based Violations

  1. Monitoring and reporting violations (MR, MON) - failure to conduct the required regular monitoring of drinking water quality, and/or to submit monitoring results on time.
  2. Public notice violations (Other) - failure to immediately alert consumers if there is a serious problem with their drinking water that may pose a risk to public health.
  3. Other violations (Other) - miscellaneous violations, such as failure to issue annual consumer confidence reports or maintain required records.

SDWA Table Key

Field Description
Compliance Period Dates of the compliance period.
Status Current status of the violation.
  • Resolved - The violation has at least one resolving enforcement action. In SDWIS, this indicates that either the system has returned to compliance from the violation, the rule that was violated was no longer applicable, or no further action was needed.
  • Archived - The violation is not Resolved, but is more than five years past its compliance period end date. In keeping with the Enforcement Response Policy, the violation no longer contributes to the public water system's overall compliance status. Unresolved violations are also marked as Archived when a system ceases operations (becomes inactive).
  • Addressed - The violation is not Resolved or Archived, and is addressed by one or more formal enforcement actions.
  • Unaddressed - The violation is not Resolved or Archived, and has not been addressed by formal enforcement.
show details
Health-Based? Whether the violation is health based.
Category Code
The category of violation that is reported.
  • TT - Treatment Technique Violation
  • MRDL - Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level
  • Other - Other Violation
  • MCL - Maximum Contaminant Level Violation
  • MR - Monitoring and Reporting
  • MON - Monitoring Violation
  • RPT - Reporting Violation
show details
Code A full description of violation codes can be accessed in the SDWA_REF_CODE_VALUES (CSV) table.
Contaminant Code A code value that represents a contaminant for which a public water system has incurred a violation of a primary drinking water regulation.
Rule Code Code for a National Drinking Water rule.
  • 110 - Total Coliform Rule
  • 121 - Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 122 - Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 123 - Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 130 - Filter Backwash Rule
  • 140 - Ground Water Rule
  • 210 - Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 220 - Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 230 - Total Trihalomethanes
  • 310 - Volatile Organic Chemicals
  • 331 - Nitrates
  • 332 - Arsenic
  • 333 - Inorganic Chemicals
  • 320 - Synthetic Organic Chemicals
  • 340 - Radionuclides
  • 350 - Lead and Copper Rule
  • 410 - Public Notice Rule
  • 420 - Consumer Confidence Rule
  • 430 - Miscellaneous
  • 500 - Not Regulated
  • 111 - Revised Total Coliform Rule
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Rule Group Code Code that uniquely identifies a rule group.
  • 120 - Surface Water Treatment Rules
  • 130 - Filter Backwash Rule
  • 140 - Groundwater Rule
  • 210 - Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 220 - Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 230 - Total Trihalomethanes
  • 310 - Volatile Organic Chemicals
  • 320 - Synthetic Organic Chemicals
  • 330 - Inorganic Chemicals
  • 340 - Radionuclides
  • 350 - Lead and Copper Rule
  • 400 - Other
  • 500 - Not Regulated
  • 110 - Total Coliform Rules
  • 410 - Public Notice Rule
  • 420 - Consumer Confidence Rule
  • 430 - Miscellaneous
show details
Rule Family Code Code for rule family.
  • 100 - Microbials
  • 200 - Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 300 - Chemicals
  • 400 - Other
  • 500 - Not Regulated
show details

For more clarification please visit the EPA's data dictionary.

Norman Water - Frequently Asked Questions

HOW DO I CONTACT NORMAN CUSTOMER SERVICE?
To contact customer service for the Norman water provider, Norman, please use the information below.
By Mail: The Honorable Breea Clark, Mayor
BOX 370
NORMAN, OK, 73070
HOW TO PAY BILL FOR NORMAN
Already have an account?

Existing customers can login to their Norman account to pay their Norman water bill by clicking here.

Want to create a new account?

If you want to pay your Norman bill online and haven't made an account yet, you can create an account online. Please click here to create your account to pay your Norman water bill.

Want to pay without an account?

If you don't want to make an account, or can't remember your account, you can make a one-time payment towards your Norman water bill without creating an account using a one time payment portal with your account number and credit or debit card. Click here to make a one time payment.

HOW TO START & STOP NORMAN WATER SERVICE
Starting Your Service

Moving to a new house or apartment in Norman means you will often need to put the water in your name with Norman. In order to put the water in your name, please click the link to the start service form below. Start service requests for water bills typically take two business days.

Start Service Form

Want to create a new account?

Leaving your house or apartment in Norman means you will likely need to take your name off of the water bill with Norman. In order to take your name off the water bill, please click the link to the stop service form below. Stop service for water bills requests typically take two business days.

Stop Service Form

Is Norman Tap Water Safe to Drink? Tap water & safety quality

The estimated price of bottled water

$1.5 in USD (1.5-liter)

USER SUBMITTED RATINGS

Norman tap water
  • Drinking Water Pollution and Inaccessibility 17% Very Low
  • Water Pollution 25% Low
  • Drinking Water Quality and Accessibility 83% Very High
  • Water Quality 75% High

The above data is comprised of subjective, user submitted opinions about the water quality and pollution in Norman, measured on a scale from 0% (lowest) to 100% (highest).

Related FAQS

Norman Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report)

The EPA mandates that towns and cities consistently monitor and test their tap water. They must report their findings in an annual Consumer Confidence Report. Below is the most recent water quality report from Norman's Water. If you would like to see the original version of the report, please click here.

Consumer Confidence Report – 2021 Covering Calendar Year – 2020

NORMAN OK1020801

This report is a snapshot of the quality of the water that we provided last year. Included are the details about where your water comes from, what it contains, and how it compares to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state standards. We are committed to providing you with information because informed customers are our best allies. If you would like to be actively involved in the decision-making processes that affect drinking water quality, please call NORMAN at 405-321- 2182.

Our drinking water is supplied from another water system through a Consecutive Connection (CC). To find out more about our drinking water sources and additional chemical sampling results, please contact our office at the number provided above. Your water comes from 33 Ground Water Well(s):

Source Name

Source Water Type

THUNDERBIRD LK

Surface Water

 

 

Buyer Name

Seller Name

NORMAN

OKLAHOMA CITY

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as those with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800- 426-4791).

Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity. Please contact us to obtain more information about a source water assessment and its availability.

Contaminants that may be present in source water before we treat it include: Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, livestock operations and wildlife. Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally- occurring or result from urban storm water runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining or farming.

Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as storm water run-off, agriculture, and residential users.

Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or the result of mining activity.

Organic contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and also come from gas stations, urban storm water run-off, and septic systems.

In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA prescribes regulations which limits the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. We treat our water according to EPA’s regulations. Food and Drug Administration regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water, which must provide the same protection for public health.

Our water system is required to test a minimum of 90 samples per month in accordance with the Total Coliform Rule for microbiological contaminants. Coliform bacteria are usually harmless, but their presence in water can be an indication of disease-causing bacteria. When coliform bacteria are found, special follow-up tests are done to determine if harmful bacteria are present in the water supply. If this limit is exceeded, the water supplier must notify the public.

Water Quality Data

The following tables list all of the drinking water contaminants which were detected during the 2020 calendar year. The presence of these contaminants does not necessarily indicate the water poses a health risk. Unless noted, the data presented in this table is from the testing done January 1- December 31, 2020. The state requires us to monitor for certain contaminants less than once per year because the concentrations of these contaminants are not expected to vary significantly from year to year. Some of the data, though representative of the water quality, is more than one year old.

Testing Results for: NORMAN

Please Note: Because of sampling schedules, results may be older than 1 year

Microbiological

Result

 

 

MCL

 

 

 

 

MCLG

 

Typical Source

 

In the month of September,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Naturally present in the

COLIFORM (TCR)

1.11% of samples returned

Treatment Technique Trigger

 

 

0

 

 

 

 

environment

 

as positive

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regulated Contaminants

Collection

Highest

 

Range

Unit

MCL

MCLG

Typical Source

 

Date

Value

 

(low/high)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,4-D

7/8/2020

0.2

 

0 - 0.2

ppb

70

70

Runoff from herbicide used on row crops

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Erosion of natural deposits; Runoff from

ARSENIC

5/7/2020

9.5

 

0 - 9.5

ppb

10

 

orchards; Runoff from glass and electronics

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

production wastes.

BARIUM

1/9/2020

0.665

 

0.045 -

ppm

2

2

Discharge of drilling wastes; Discharge from

 

0.665

metal refineries; Erosion of natural deposits.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BROMATE

11/5/2020

6.31

 

0 - 6.31

ppb

10

0

By-product of drinking water chlorination

CHROMIUM

 

2/4/2020

 

78

 

0 - 78

 

 

ppb

 

100

 

100

 

 

 

Discharge from steel and pulp mills; Erosion of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

natural deposits.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FLUORIDE

 

7/2/2020

 

0.73

 

0.18 - 0.73

ppm

 

4

 

4

 

 

 

Natural deposits; Water additive which

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

promotes strong teeth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NITRATE

 

1/9/2020

 

0.83

 

0.47 - 0.83

ppm

 

10

 

10

 

 

 

Runoff from fertilizer use; Leaching from septic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

tanks, sewage; Erosion of natural deposits.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NITRATE-NITRITE

 

1/9/2020

 

0.83

 

0.202 -

 

ppm

 

10

 

10

 

 

 

Runoff from fertilizer use; Leaching from septic

 

 

 

0.83

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

tanks, sewage; Erosion of natural deposits.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discharge from petroleum and metal refineries;

SELENIUM

 

2/4/2020

 

19.9

 

0 - 19.9

 

ppb

 

50

 

50

 

 

 

Erosion of natural deposits; Discharge from

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

mines

SIMAZINE

 

1/23/2020

0.57

 

0 - 0.57

 

ppb

 

4

 

4

 

 

 

Herbicide runoff

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disinfection Byproducts

 

Monitoring

Highest

 

Range

Unit

MCL

MCLG

 

Typical Source

 

Period

 

RAA

 

(low/high)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL HALOACETIC ACIDS (HAA5)

 

2020

 

12

 

 

2.42 - 17

ppb

60

 

0

 

 

 

By-product of drinking water disinfection

TTHM

 

 

 

2020

 

9

 

 

1.24 - 12.5

ppb

80

 

0

 

 

 

By-product of drinking water disinfection

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lead and Copper

Monitoring

90th

 

Range (low/high)

Unit

 

AL

Sites

 

Typical Source

Period

Percentile

 

Over AL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corrosion of household plumbing systems;

 

COPPER, FREE

2020

 

 

0.086

 

0 - 0.163

 

 

ppm

1.3

0

 

Erosion of natural deposits; Leaching from wood

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

preservatives.

If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. Your water system is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

Chlorine/Chloramines Maximum

 

 

MPA

 

 

 

 

MPA Units

 

 

RAA

RAA Units

 

 

Disinfection Level

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

04/01/2020 - 04/30/2020

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

MG/L

 

2

 

MG/L

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Organic Carbon Lowest

 

Number of Samples

Actual Removal Ratio

Required Removal Ratio

Lowest Monthly Removal Ratio

Month for Removal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2/1/2020 - 2/29/2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 RATIO

1.02

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Radiological

 

Collection Date

 

Highest Value

Range

 

 

Unit

 

 

 

MCL

MCLG

Typical Source

Contaminants

 

 

(low/high)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMBINED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Erosion of natural

RADIUM (-226 &

 

2/13/2020

 

 

3.29

 

 

0.629 - 3.29

 

 

pCi/L

 

 

 

5

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

deposits

-228)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMBINED

 

4/23/2020

 

 

14.2

 

 

0 - 14.2

 

 

µg/L

 

 

 

30

 

 

Erosion of natural

URANIUM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GROSS ALPHA,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Erosion of natural

EXCL. RADON &

 

1/16/2020

 

 

20.18

 

0 - 20.18

 

 

pCi/L

 

 

 

15

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

deposits

U

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GROSS BETA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Decay of natural

PARTICLE

 

1/16/2020

 

 

16.7

 

 

0 - 16.7

 

 

pCi/L

 

 

50

0

 

and man-made

ACTIVITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Secondary Contaminants-Non Health Based

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contaminants-No Federal Maximum

 

 

 

Collection Date

Highest Value

 

 

Range (low/high)

 

Unit

 

SMCL

Contaminant Level (MCL) Established.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALKALINITY, TOTAL

 

 

 

11/7/2016

47.865

 

47.865

 

MG/L

 

 

SODIUM

 

 

 

 

 

2/4/2020

108

 

 

11.3 - 108

 

MG/L

 

 

SULFATE

 

 

 

 

 

8/16/2016

7.29

 

7.29

 

MG/L

 

250

During the 2020 calendar year, we had the below noted violation(s) of drinking water regulations.

Compliance Period

Analyte

Comments

No Violations Occurred in the Calendar Year of 2020

Additional Required Health Effects Language:

While your drinking water meets EPA's standard for arsenic, it does contain low levels of arsenic. EPA's standard balances the current understanding of arsenic's possible health effects against the costs of removing arsenic from drinking water. EPA continues to research the health effects of low levels of arsenic which is a mineral known to cause cancer in humans at high concentrations and is linked to other health effects such as skin damage and circulatory problems.

Certain minerals are radioactive and may emit a form of radiation known as alpha radiation. Some people who drink water containing alpha emitters in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

Some or all of our drinking water is supplied from another water system. The table below lists all of the drinking water contaminants, which were detected during the 2020 calendar year from the water systems that we purchase drinking water from.

Regulated

Collection

Water System

Highest

Range

Unit

MCL

MCLG

Typical Source

Contaminants

Date

Value

(low/high)

 

 

 

 

 

BROMATE

11/9/2020

OKLAHOMA CITY

54.2

0 - 54.2

ppb

10

0

By-product of drinking

water chlorination

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GROSS BETA

9/19/2018

OKLAHOMA CITY

6.75

0 - 6.75

pCi/L

50

0

Decay of natural and

PARTICLE ACTIVITY

man-made deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Runoff from fertilizer

NITRATE

1/13/2020

OKLAHOMA CITY

0.205

0.122 -

 

 

 

use; Leaching from

ppm

10

10

septic tanks, sewage;

0.205

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Erosion of natural

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

deposits.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Runoff from fertilizer

NITRATE-NITRITE

1/13/2020

OKLAHOMA CITY

0.205

0.164 -

 

 

 

use; Leaching from

ppm

10

10

septic tanks, sewage;

0.205

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Erosion of natural

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

deposits.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Runoff from fertilizer

NITRITE

1/13/2020

OKLAHOMA CITY

0.042

0 - 0.042

ppm

1

1

use; Leaching from

septic tanks, sewage;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Erosion of natural

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

deposits.

Secondary Contaminants

Collection

Water System

Highest

Range (low/high)

Unit

SMCL

Date

Value

 

 

 

 

 

CARBON, DISSOLVED

1/13/2020

OKLAHOMA CITY

2.96

2.96

MG/L

 

ORGANIC (DOC)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUVA (SPECFIC

 

 

 

 

 

 

ULTRAVIOLET

1/13/2020

OKLAHOMA CITY

2.33

2.33

L/MG-M

 

ABSORBANCE)

 

 

 

 

 

 

UV ABSORBANCE @254 NM

1/13/2020

OKLAHOMA CITY

0.069

0.069

CM-1

 

During the 2020 calendar year, the water systems that we purchase water from had the below noted violation(s) of drinking water regulations.

Water System

Type

Category

Analyte

Compliance Period

No Violations Occurred in the Calendar Year of 2020

Terms & Abbreviations

Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG): the “Goal” is the level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to human health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.

Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL): the “Maximum Allowed” MCL is the highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology.

Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level (SMCL): recommended level for a contaminant that is not regulated and has no MCL.

Action Level (AL): the concentration of a contaminant that, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements.

Treatment Technique (TT): a required process intended to reduce levels of a contaminant in drinking water.

Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL): the highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants.

Non-Detects (ND): lab analysis indicates that the contaminant is not present. Parts per Million (ppm) or milligrams per liter (mg/l)

Parts per Billion (ppb) or micrograms per liter (µg/l)

Picocuries per Liter (pCi/L): a measure of the radioactivity in water.

Millirems per Year (mrem/yr): measure of radiation absorbed by the body.

Monitoring Period Average (MPA): An average of sample results obtained during a defined time frame, common examples of monitoring periods are monthly, quarterly and yearly.

Nephelometric Turbidity Unit (NTU): a measure of the clarity of water. Turbidity in excess of 5 NTU is just noticeable to the average person. Turbidity is not regulated for groundwater systems.

Running Annual Average (RAA): an average of sample results obtained over the most current 12 months and used to determine compliance with MCLs.

Locational Running Annual Average (LRAA): Average of sample analytical results for samples taken at a particular monitoring location during the previous four calendar quarters.

Monitoring and Reporting (M/R): a violation for failure to conduct regular monitoring of drinking water quality or to submit monitoring results in a timely fashion.

Operational Evaluation Level (OEL): a report triggered by the disinfection by-products rule.

Contaminants


Norman

EWG's drinking water quality report shows results of tests conducted by the water utility and provided to the Environmental Working Group by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, as well as information from the U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History database (ECHO). For the latest quarter assessed by the U.S. EPA (January 2019 - March 2019), tap water provided by this water utility was in compliance with federal health-based drinking water standards.

Utility details

  • Serves: 72928
  • Data available: 2012-2017
  • Data Source: Surface water
  • Total: 24

Contaminants That Exceed Guidelines

  • Arsenic
  • Bromodichloromethane
  • Chloroform
  • Chromium (hexavalent)
  • Dibromochloromethane
  • Dichloroacetic acid
  • Nitrate
  • Nitrate and nitrite
  • Radium%2C combined (-226 & -228)
  • Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
  • Uranium

Other Detected Contaminants

  • Antimony
  • Barium
  • Chlorate
  • Chromium (total)
  • Cyanide
  • Dichloromethane (methylene chloride)
  • Fluoride
  • Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
  • Molybdenum
  • Nitrite
  • Selenium
  • Strontium
  • Vanadium

Reminder

Always take extra precautions, the water may be safe to drink when it leaves the sewage treatment plant but it may pick up pollutants during its way to your tap. We advise that you ask locals or hotel staff about the water quality. Also, note that different cities have different water mineral contents.

Sources and Resources

Where does Norman get its water from? Norman receives water from three sources: Oklahoma City, Lake Thunderbird, and a good field. The good area, which provides 40 percent of the city’s water, is the only source of the three that contain chromium. Cleveland County’s chromium levels are higher than other counties in the state because of the Garber-Wellington Aquifer, from which the good field draws water.  

The City of Norman has the latest Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) available for customers. The report contains water quality and quantity information for the City of Norman water system. The CCR is posted on our utility website, and a press release is issued letting the public know it is available. 

The EPA allows the Water Utility to produce and distribute the annual CCR electronically. This enables the utility to minimize the carbon footprint by reducing paper, chemicals, and energy to print and mail documents.

Starting in 2019, the Norman Utilities Authority will produce a report that will provide the community with information on City Water, Water Reclamation, and Sanitation Divisions. 

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