Is Oklahoma Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Water quality data for 14 cities across Oklahoma. Find your city below.

Water quality in Oklahoma varies significantly from city to city. Across 14 cities we track, hardness ranges from 154 PPM in Tulsa to 300 PPM in Ada, with a statewide average of 217 PPM. 14 of 14 cities have hard water above 120 PPM where a water softener provides measurable benefits.

3 Oklahoma cities have forever chemicals (PFAS) above the EPA's 2024 limit of 4 parts per trillion: Edmond North (28.96 ppt), Broken Arrow (53.73 ppt), Edmond (28.96 ppt). A reverse osmosis system or NSF P473-certified filter can reduce PFAS to safe levels.

14
Cities
217
Avg Hardness (PPM)
300
Hardest City (PPM)

Complete Oklahoma Guide

Statewide water quality overview, costs, and treatment recommendations.

Well Water in Oklahoma

Testing, treatment, and common issues for private wells.

Hardest Water Rankings

Oklahoma cities ranked by water hardness level.

City Treatment Guides

Sized recommendations based on each city's specific water data.

Oklahoma City North

200 PPM 🧂 Best Softener

Oklahoma City

170 PPM 🧂 Best Softener

Tulsa

154 PPM 🧂 Best Softener

City Comparisons

Ada vs Tulsa

Side-by-side water quality comparison.

Ada vs Moore

Side-by-side water quality comparison.

Moore vs Edmond North

Side-by-side water quality comparison.

More for Oklahoma

Softener Cost in Oklahoma City NorthSoftener Cost in Oklahoma City

Oklahoma Cities by Water Hardness

CityHardness (PPM)LevelPFAS (ppt)Source
Ada 300 Extremely Hard 0 Byrds Mill Spring + wells
Moore 280 Extremely Hard 0 Lake Draper + Stanley Draper
Edmond North 260 Extremely Hard 28.96 Lake Arcadia
Norman South 240 Very Hard 9.33 Lake Thunderbird
Norman 236 Very Hard 9.33 Lake Thunderbird
Broken Arrow 224 Very Hard 53.73 Tulsa Water (Spavinaw Creek system)
Owasso 210 Very Hard 0 Oologah Lake
Lawton 204 Very Hard 0 Lake Lawtonka, Lake Ellsworth
Oklahoma City North 200 Very Hard 3.7 Lake Hefner + Lake Overholser
Edmond 197 Very Hard 28.96 Arcadia Lake, Lake Hefner
Tahlequah 180 Very Hard 11.79 Lake Tenkiller + Illinois River
Muskogee 180 Very Hard 0 Fort Gibson Lake
Oklahoma City 170 Hard 3.7 Lakes + groundwater
Tulsa 154 Hard 0 Spavinaw Lake, Oologah Lake

Frequently Asked Questions About Oklahoma Water

Is Oklahoma tap water safe to drink?
Oklahoma tap water meets EPA legal standards in most cities. 3 cities have PFAS levels above the EPA health advisory of 4 ppt. The statewide average hardness of 217 PPM means most homes deal with hard water effects like scale buildup, though hardness is not a health concern. Check your specific city above for detailed data.
Do I need a water softener in Oklahoma?
Most Oklahoma cities would benefit from a water softener. The state average is 217 PPM, and 100% of cities exceed 120 PPM where softener benefits become measurable. A salt-based softener reduces scale damage, energy waste, and product use.
Which Oklahoma city has the hardest water?
Ada has the hardest water in Oklahoma at 300 PPM (17.5 GPG). Moore is second at 280 PPM. See the full ranking.
What contaminants are in Oklahoma water?
The most common concerns across Oklahoma are hard water minerals (calcium and magnesium), and PFAS (forever chemicals) detected in 3 cities. Each city has different levels - check your city above for specific contaminant data.
How much does a water softener cost in Oklahoma?
A whole-house water softener for a typical Oklahoma home costs $800-$2,500 installed, depending on capacity and brand. At 217 PPM average hardness, most homes need a 32,000-48,000 grain system. Full cost breakdown.

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Guides

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Common Issues

Hard Water PFAS Lead Chlorine