Layer 1

Is Provo Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Yes! Generally Safe to Drink*

LAST UPDATED: 7:49 pm, July 18, 2022
+

Table of Contents

Can You Drink Tap Water in Provo?

Yes, Provo's tap water is generally considered safe to drink as Provo 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, Provo's water utility, Provo City, had 0 violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act. For more details on the violations, please see our violation history section below. This assessment is based on the Provo City 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 Provo Tap Water

The most recent publicly available numbers for measured contaminant levels in Provo 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 Provo's water quality reports, or getting your home's tap water tested to see if you should be filtering your water.

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

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

Is there Lead in Provo Water?

Based on the EPA’s ECHO Database, 90% of the samples taken from the Provo water system, Provo City, between sample start date and sample end date, were at or below, 0.0044 mg/L of lead in Provo water. This is 29.3% of the 0.015 mg/L action level. This means 10% of the samples taken from Provo contained more lead.

While Provo water testing may have found 0.0044 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 Provo 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 - Sustained Airborne Training Facility Salt Lake City - near Provo 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 Provo 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.

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
show details
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.

Provo Water - Frequently Asked Questions

HOW DO I CONTACT PROVO CUSTOMER SERVICE?
To contact customer service for the Provo water provider, Provo City, please use the information below.
By Mail: 1377 S 350 E
PROVO, UT, 84606
HOW TO PAY BILL FOR PROVO CITY
Already have an account?

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

Want to create a new account?

If you want to pay your Provo City 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 Provo 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 Provo 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 PROVO WATER SERVICE
Starting Your Service

Moving to a new house or apartment in Provo means you will often need to put the water in your name with Provo City. 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 Provo means you will likely need to take your name off of the water bill with Provo City. 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

USER SUBMITTED RATINGS

Provo tap water
  • Drinking Water Pollution and Inaccessibility 24% Low
  • Water Pollution 26% Low
  • Drinking Water Quality and Accessibility 76% High
  • Water Quality 74% High

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

Related FAQS

Provo 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 Provo's Water. If you would like to see the original version of the report, please click here.

2020 Water Report FINAL.indd 2

05/20/21 3:56PM

WATER REPORT 2020

Coliform Bacteria

 

 

 

Year Sampled

 

+ Sample Count

MCLG

 

MCL

Violation

Likely Source of Contamination

Coliform Bacteria

 

2020

 

 

1

 

0

 

5

N

Naturally present in the environment.

Microbiological Contaminants

 

 

Year Sampled

 

+ Sample Count

MCLG

 

MCL

Violation

Likely Source of Contamination

E. Coli

 

2020

 

 

0

 

No goals

 

None

N

Human and animal fecal waste.

 

Year Sampled

MCLG

Action Level

90% Tiles

# Sites

Units

Violation

 

Likely Source of Contamination

 

 

(AL)

Over AL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copper

2019

1.3

 

 

1.3

0.148

0

PPM

N

 

Erosion of natural deposits; Leaching from wood preservatives; Corrosion of household

 

 

 

plumbing systems.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lead

2019

0

 

 

15

4.4

1

PPB

N

 

Corrosion of household plumbing systems; Erosion of natural deposits.

 

 

 

 

 

Lowest

Highest

DACRWTP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disinfectants and Disinfection By Products

Year Sampled

MCLG

MCL

Units

Violations

Likely Source of Contamination

Level

Level

Highest Levels

Haloacetic Acids

 

2020

 

 

0

6

38.3

0

60

PPB

N

By-product of drinking water disinfection.

Total Trihalomethanes

 

2020

 

 

0

11.5

49.2

0

80

PPB

N

By-product of drinking water disinfection.

Inorganic Contaminants

 

Year Sampled

Lowest

Highest

DACRWTP

MCLG

MCL

Units

Violations

Likely Source of Contamination

 

Level

Level

Highest Levels

Arsenic

 

2016, 2018, 2019

0

1

1.2

0

10

PPB

N

Erosion of natural deposits; ￿Runo from orchards; ￿Runo from glass

 

and electronics production wastes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Barium

 

2016, 2018, 2019

0.035

0.072

0.066

2

2

PPM

N

Discharge of drilling wastes; Discharge from metal refineries; Erosion of

 

natural deposits.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fluoride

 

2016, 2018, 2019

0

0.3

0.2

4

4

PPM

N

Erosion of natural deposits; Water additive which promotes strong

 

teeth; Discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nitrate

 

2017, 2019, 2020

0.119

1.281

0.3

10

10

PPM

N

￿Runo from fertilizer use; Leaching from septic tanks, sewage; Erosion

 

of natural deposits.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selenium

 

2016, 2018, 2019

1.1

1.6

1.1

50

50

PPB

N

Discharge from petroleum and metal refineries; Erosion of natural

 

deposits; Discharge from mines.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sodium

 

2016, 2018, 2019

1.4

24.5

14.5

500

None

PPM

N

Discharge from petroleum and metal refineries; Erosion of natural

 

deposits; Discharge from mines.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sulfate

 

2016, 2018, 2019

7

43.099

58

1000

1000

PPM

N

Erosion of natural deposits; discharge from refineries and factories;

 

￿runo from landfills, ￿runo from cropland.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)

2016, 2018, 2019

130

312

336

2000

2000

PPM

N

Erosion of natural deposits

Lead & Copper

Year Sampled

Lowest

Highest

MCLG

MCL

Units

Violation

 

Likely Source of Contamination

 

Level

Level

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copper

2019

0.011

 

 

0.249

1.3

1.3

PPM

N

 

Erosion of natural deposits; Leaching from wood preservatives; Corrosion of household

 

 

 

plumbing systems.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lead

2019

0

 

 

22.1

0

15

PPB

N

 

Corrosion of household plumbing systems; Erosion of natural deposits..

Radioactive Contaminants

Year Sampled

Lowest

Highest

DACRWTP

MCLG

MCL

Units

Violations

Likely Source of Contamination

Level

Level

Highest Levels

Alpha emitters

 

2016, 2018, 2019

0.03

2.5

4.5

0

15

pCi/L

N

Erosion of natural deposits.

Radium 228

 

2016, 2018, 2019

-0.22

0

1.1

0

5

pCi/L

N

Erosion of natural deposits.

Turbidity

 

Year Sampled

Lowest

Highest

DACRWTP

MCLG

MCL

Units

Violations

Likely Source of Contamination

 

Level

Level

Highest Levels

Turbidity

 

2017, 2019

 

 

0.03

0.64

1.29

0

0.3

NTU

N

Soil ￿runo.

 

.levels drought-pre to themselves restore to aquifers groundwater allow can conservation Water .unattended hose running a leave Never .hose your for nozzle o￿ shut a Purchase .street or sidewalk, home, your onto spray not do and trees and plants, grass, your water to adjusted are heads sprinkler your sure make Also, .system sprinkler your to timer smart a adding by summer this water enough has Provo insure help can you however restrictions watering any expect not do we time this At .drought exceptional an experiencing is state Our

WHY PROVIDE A

WATER QUALITY REPORT?

The sources of drinking water for our system include (springs, wells, and reservoirs). 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 pickup substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity.

CONTAMINANTS THAT MAY BE PRESENT IN SOURCE WATER

INCLUDE:

  • Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife.
  • Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally-occurring or result from urban storm water runo￿, 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 agriculture, urban storm water runo￿, and residential uses.
  • Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban storm water runo￿, and septic systems.
  • Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally-occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.

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 e￿ects can be obtained by calling the EPAs Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.

In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA prescribes regulations which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. FDA regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same protection for public health. Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the

general population.

Immuno-compromised persons such as persons 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.

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. We 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.

Contaminants


Provo City

EWG's drinking water quality report shows results of tests conducted by the water utility and provided to the Environmental Working Group by the Utah 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: 116288
  • Data available: 2012-2017
  • Data Source: Purchased surface water
  • Total: 22

Contaminants That Exceed Guidelines

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

Other Detected Contaminants

  • Barium
  • Bromoform
  • Chromium (total)
  • Cyanide
  • Dibromoacetic acid
  • Dichloroacetic acid
  • Fluoride
  • Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
  • Molybdenum
  • Nitrate and nitrite
  • Selenium
  • Strontium
  • Trichloroacetic acid
  • 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

Layer 1
Layer 1
Layer 1
Layer 1