Utah Water Quality Report 2026

8 cities949,543 residentsUpdated March 2026

B80.6/100State Average
Utah has 8 cities in our database, serving approximately 949,543 residents. The average PurityMap score is 80.6/100 (Grade: B), which is 2.7 points above the US average of 77.9/100. Salt Lake City has the cleanest water (85/100) while West Valley City scores lowest (78/100) due to very hard water.
Is Utah Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Safe — Softener May Help

Utah tap water is safe — softener may help based on our analysis of 8 water systems serving 949,543 residents. The average PurityMap score is 80.6/100 (Grade: B), which is 2.7 points above the national average.

  • 7 cities (88%) have hard or very hard water (7+ GPG) which causes scale buildup and appliance damage.
Our Recommendation

A water softener is the most impactful investment for Utah residents in hard water areas. A basic carbon pitcher or faucet filter removes chlorine and improves taste.

All 8 cities in Utah meet EPA federal drinking water standards as of 2026. However, EPA standards set legal limits — not health goals. Many contaminants are detected at levels that are legal but may still pose long-term health risks according to independent health organizations like the EWG.
Utah at a Glance
80.6Avg Purity Score
9.9Avg Hardness (GPG)
Hard
0Cities with PFAS
7Cities with Hard Water
1.7Avg Lead (ppb)
344Avg TDS (ppm)

Utah is 2.7 points above the US average of 77.9/100. Hardness is 3.6 GPG above the US average of 6.3 GPG.

Best & Worst Water in Utah
Cleanest

Salt Lake City

85/100

Source: Mountain snowmelt Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons

Most Concerns

West Valley City

78/100

very hard water

Cities with Most Water Concerns in Utah

Cities ranked by lowest score. Click any city for the full report and filter recommendations.

RankCityScoreHardnessLeadKey Issues
1West Valley City 78/10012.5 GPG2.0 ppbVery Hard (12.5 GPG)
2West Jordan 78/10012.5 GPG2.0 ppbVery Hard (12.5 GPG)
3St. George 78/10012.0 GPG1.8 ppbVery Hard (12.0 GPG)
4Orem 81/1009.0 GPG1.5 ppbHard (9.0 GPG)
5Sandy 81/10010.5 GPG1.8 ppbVery Hard (10.5 GPG)
6Provo 82/1008.5 GPG1.5 ppbHard (8.5 GPG)
7Ogden 82/1007.5 GPG1.5 ppbHard (7.5 GPG)
8Salt Lake City 85/1006.7 GPG1.5 ppbHardness 6.7 GPG
Score Distribution

How Utah's 8 cities score on the PurityMap 0–100 scale:

Excellent (85–100)
1 city
Good (70–84)
7 cities
Moderate (60–69)
0 cities
Poor (below 60)
0 cities
Largest Cities in Utah — Water Quality

Water quality for the most populated cities. Click any city for details.









CityPopulationScoreHardnessKey Issues
Salt Lake City200K 85/1006.7 GPG—
West Valley City140K 78/10012.5 GPGVery Hard
West Jordan117K 78/10012.5 GPGVery Hard
Provo115K 82/1008.5 GPGHard
Orem98K 81/1009.0 GPGHard
Sandy97K 81/10010.5 GPGVery Hard
St. George95K 78/10012.0 GPGVery Hard
Ogden87K 82/1007.5 GPGHard
Hard Water in Utah

7 of 8 cities (88%) in Utah have hard or very hard water (7+ GPG). West Valley City has the hardest at 12.5 GPG. Cities: West Valley City, West Jordan, St. George, Sandy, Orem, Provo, Ogden. A water softener is recommended.

Hard Water Guide Softener Solutions
PFAS in Utah Water

Based on EPA UCMR5 data, PFAS have not been detected above advisory levels in any Utah cities in our database as of 2026.

Lead in Utah Water

All Utah cities have lead below 5 ppb. Average: 1.7 ppb. Individual homes with older plumbing may have higher levels.

Water Sources in Utah

Where Utah gets its drinking water, based on 8 water systems.




Source TypeCities% of Total
Mixed (Ground + Surface)450%
Other225%
Surface Water225%
Recommended Filter for Utah

Utah is a hard water state (7/8 cities). A whole-house softener is the best investment.

All Utah Cities — Ranked
#CityPop.ScoreHardnessLeadPFASTDS
1West Valley City140K 78/10012.5 GPG (Very Hard)2.0 ppb✅ No445 ppm
2West Jordan117K 78/10012.5 GPG (Very Hard)2.0 ppb✅ No445 ppm
3St. George95K 78/10012.0 GPG (Very Hard)1.8 ppb✅ No430 ppm
4Orem98K 81/1009.0 GPG (Hard)1.5 ppb✅ No320 ppm
5Sandy97K 81/10010.5 GPG (Hard)1.8 ppb✅ No370 ppm
6Provo115K 82/1008.5 GPG (Hard)1.5 ppb✅ No290 ppm
7Ogden87K 82/1007.5 GPG (Hard)1.5 ppb✅ No265 ppm
8Salt Lake City200K 85/1006.7 GPG (Moderate)1.5 ppb✅ No190 ppm
Water Utilities in Utah

Utah has 7 utilities. Major: Salt Lake City Public Utilities, Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District, Provo City Water, City of Orem Water, Sandy City Public Utilities.

Sources: Mountain snowmelt Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons, Jordan River and groundwater, Provo River and Spanish Fork River, Provo River and groundwater, Little Cottonwood Canyon and Jordan Valley Water.

Frequently Asked Questions
Which city has the best water in Utah?
Salt Lake City scores highest at 85/100. Source: Mountain snowmelt Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons.
Which city has the worst water in Utah?
West Valley City scores lowest at 78/100 due to very hard water.
Is Utah water hard or soft?
Average hardness: 9.9 GPG (Hard). 3.6 GPG above the US average of 6.3 GPG. 7 of 8 cities have hard/very hard water.
Has PFAS been found in Utah water?
Based on EPA UCMR5 data, PFAS have not been detected above advisory levels in any Utah cities in our database as of 2026.
What water filter should I use in Utah?
Utah is a hard water state (7/8 cities). A whole-house softener is the best investment.
How does Utah water compare to the US average?
Score: 80.6/100 (2.7 points above US avg 77.9). Hardness: 9.9 GPG (3.6 GPG above US avg 6.3).
Where does Utah get its drinking water?Where does Utah get its drinking water?
Utah water comes from: Mixed (Ground + Surface): 4 cities (50%), Other: 2 cities (25%), Surface Water: 2 cities (25%).
Data Sources & Methodology
  • EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System
  • EWG Tap Water Database
  • State utility Consumer Confidence Reports
  • USGS regional water monitoring data

PurityMap compiles publicly available data and does not perform independent testing.

How we analyze water Data sources
All Utah Cities with Water Reports

8 city water quality reports available for Utah.

8 Reports
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Showing all 8 cities
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