Is Salt Lake City, UT tap water safe?
Data: U.S. EPA · How we read the data · How we check it
Summary
No federal limits exceeded in EPA data for Salt Lake City Water System. 4 PFAS were detected below the limits.
3 public water systems serve parts of Salt Lake City. The largest, Salt Lake City Water System, serves 383,612 people. Your water bill names your system.
Largest system
Salt Lake City Water System
383,612 people · Surface water · EPA ID UTAH18026
Buys treated water from Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District, Metropolitan Water District.
| PFAS | Highest average | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| PFOA Not detected | – | 4 ppt |
| PFOS One sample above limit | 0 ppt | 4 ppt |
| PFHxS One sample above limit | 0 ppt | 10 ppt |
| PFNA Not detected | – | 10 ppt |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) Not detected | – | 10 ppt |
ppt = parts per trillion. "Highest average" is the highest average at any of the system's entry points, the way EPA compares results with the limits.
Lead: 2.51 ppb at the 90th percentile (Dec 2024, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 1
Across Utah, 2 of 127 water systems EPA tested had PFAS above a 2024 federal limit, and 8 systems were above the lead action level in results from the last five years. Utah results.
Salt Lake City homes and lead pipes
Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so homes from before then are the ones to check. Renting? Ask your landlord what the service line is made of, because it's their pipe to replace. How to check your own line.
Housing: Census American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates for Salt Lake City city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.
Other water systems serving Salt Lake City
- Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District99,335 people · Surface water · Utah · reported ZIPs hereLithium above screening level
- University of Utah Water System57,080 people · Purchased surface water · Utah · reported ZIPs hereNo PFAS above limitsAlso: 1 health-based violation since 2016
How nearby cities compare
| City | PFAS | Lead (90th pct.) |
|---|---|---|
| South Salt Lake 5 mi Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District | None above limits | 5.05 ppb |
| West Valley City 7 mi Granger-Hunter Improvement District | None above limits | 1.9 ppb |
| Bountiful 8 mi Bountiful City Water System | None above limits | 7.2 ppb |
| Millcreek 8 mi Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District | None above limits | 5.05 ppb |
| Taylorsville 8 mi Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District | None above limits | 5.05 ppb |
| Murray 9 mi Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District | None above limits | 5.05 ppb |
Salt Lake City ZIP codes (15)
- 84101
- 84102
- 84103
- 84104
- 84105
- 84106
- 84111
- 84112
- 84113
- 84114
- 84115
- 84116
- 84138
- 84150
- 84180
Questions
Is Salt Lake City tap water safe to drink?
Salt Lake City Water System had 1 health-based violation since 2016. Utility data can't show lead from your own pipes: if your home was built before 1986, test your tap. Your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report is the official summary.
Who supplies water in Salt Lake City, UT?
3 public water systems serve parts of Salt Lake City. The largest is Salt Lake City Water System (383,612 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.
Does Salt Lake City tap water have PFAS?
Salt Lake City Water System had 4 PFAS detected at least once in EPA's 2023–2025 testing, all with averages below the federal limits.
Do Salt Lake City homes have lead pipes?
Census estimates put 65% of Salt Lake City homes as built before 1980 (Utah: 36%). Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so older homes are more likely to have them. Salt Lake City Water System's service line inventory says what your line is made of. The only way to know for your home is to check the line where it enters the house and test your tap.
Source: U.S. EPA drinking water records and PFAS testing (UCMR 5). How we read the data.