Problems We Found in Tulsa's Drinking Water

Kezia Snipe  |  Hydroviv Research Analyst 

**Updated July 2021 to include most recent data

For our Tulsa water quality report, we aggregated water quality test data from Tulsa Waterworks, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as well as from samples that we collect and analyze. We cross reference these data with toxicity studies in the scientific and medical literature, and look at upcoming regulatory changes. The water filters that we sell in Tulsa are optimized with these issues in mind.

Source Of Tulsa Drinking Water

Tulsa’s tap and drinking water comes from three lakes in northeastern Oklahoma: (1) Lake Oologah on the Verdigris River (in Rogers and Nowata counties), (2) Lakes Spavinaw and Eucha on Spavinaw Creek (in Mayes and Delaware counties), and (3) Lake Hudson on the Neosho River (in Mayes County).

Lead In Tulsa Drinking Water

Lead enters Tulsa consumer tap and drinking water through old lead service pipes and lead-containing plumbing. When corrosion control measures fail (such as what happened in Flint, Michigan), lead leaches into the drinking water and can reach toxic levels. Recent analysis for lead in Tulsa's water found a 90th percentile concentration of 3.97 ppb. While the Action Level is 15 ppb, both the EPA and CDC recognize that there is no such thing as a safe level of lead. In addition, federal regulations cannot possibly take into account levels measured at an individual tap.

Chromium 6 In Tulsa Drinking Water

Chromium 6 is a highly toxic metal that, while monitored, is not regulated by the EPA. Tulsa’s tap and drinking water recently averaged 11 parts per trillion for chromium 6. Average levels are .5 times higher than the concentration determined to have a negligible impact on cancer risk.

Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs) In Tulsa Drinking Water

DBPs are a category of emerging contaminants that form when chlorine-based disinfectants react with naturally-occurring organic matter. Although these chemicals are not well regulated, the EPA has concluded that they are associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer, as well as kidney, liver, and central nervous system problems. 

Still Have Questions About Tulsa’s Tap Water?

Hydroviv is a water filtration company that uses water quality data to optimize water filters for each city’s water. The chemicals that we list above are what we consider to be “points of emphasis” so we can build the best water filter for Tulsa tap water, but all of our water filters provide broad protection against other contaminants commonly found in drinking water (e.g. VOCs, heavy metals [including lead], pharmaceuticals, solvents, pesticides, mercury).

If you’re interested in learning more about water filters that have been optimized for Tulsa tap water, feel free to visit www.hydroviv.com, reach out by email (hello@hydroviv.com) or through our live chat. We also frequently post water-related news on Twitter or Facebook.

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