Altus Tap Water Quality: Is It Safe to Drink? (2026 Report)
Serving 23,334 residents · Oklahoma
What's In Altus's Tap Water?
69
Contaminants Tested
0
Exceed EPA Limits
1
Above EPA Goals
1 contaminant above EPA health goals
Contaminant
Detected
Limit (MCL)
Goal (MCLG)
Status
chlorate
413.00 µg/L
—
210.00 µg/L
Above Goal
EPA Violation History
29
Violations (last 5yr)
16
Unresolved
20
Health-Related
TIER 3Resolved
Missed required monitoring deadline
This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.
When: April 1, 2025 – April 30, 2025Rule: Surface Water Treatment RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 3Resolved
Failed Level 2 Assessment under Revised Total Coliform Rule
This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.
When: April 1, 2025 – April 30, 2025Rule: Stage 1 DBPREnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 2Unresolved
Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)
When: January 1, 2025 – March 31, 2025Rule: Stage 2 DBPREnforcement: Formal — state order issuedVerify on EPA.gov
TIER 3Resolved
Exceeded the MCL for disinfection byproducts
This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.
When: January 1, 2025 – March 31, 2025Enforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 2Unresolved
Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)
When: January 1, 2025 – March 31, 2025Rule: Stage 2 DBPREnforcement: Formal — state order issuedVerify on EPA.gov
TIER 3Resolved
Failed to conduct Level 2 Assessment
This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.
When: December 30, 2024 – March 5, 2025Rule: Stage 2 DBPREnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 2Unresolved
Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)
When: October 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024Rule: Stage 2 DBPREnforcement: Formal — state order issuedVerify on EPA.gov
TIER 3Resolved
Exceeded the MCL for disinfection byproducts
This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.
When: October 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024Enforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 2Unresolved
Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)
When: October 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024Rule: Stage 2 DBPREnforcement: Formal — state order issuedVerify on EPA.gov
TIER 2Unresolved
Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)
When: October 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024Rule: Stage 2 DBPREnforcement: Formal — state order issuedVerify on EPA.gov
TIER 2Unresolved
Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)
When: October 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024Rule: Stage 2 DBPREnforcement: Formal — state order issuedVerify on EPA.gov
TIER 3Resolved
Failed Level 2 Assessment under Revised Total Coliform Rule
This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.
When: August 1, 2024 – August 31, 2024Rule: Stage 1 DBPREnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 3Resolved
Failed Level 2 Assessment under Revised Total Coliform Rule
This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.
When: August 1, 2024 – August 31, 2024Rule: Stage 1 DBPREnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 2Unresolved
Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)
When: July 1, 2024 – September 30, 2024Rule: Stage 2 DBPREnforcement: Formal — state order issuedVerify on EPA.gov
TIER 2Unresolved
Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)
When: July 1, 2024 – September 30, 2024Rule: Stage 2 DBPREnforcement: Formal — state order issuedVerify on EPA.gov
TIER 2Unresolved
Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)
When: July 1, 2024 – September 30, 2024Rule: Stage 2 DBPREnforcement: Formal — state order issuedVerify on EPA.gov
TIER 2Unresolved
Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)
When: July 1, 2024 – September 30, 2024Rule: Stage 2 DBPREnforcement: Formal — state order issuedVerify on EPA.gov
TIER 2Unresolved
Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)
When: April 1, 2024 – June 30, 2024Rule: Stage 2 DBPREnforcement: Formal — state order issuedVerify on EPA.gov
TIER 2Unresolved
Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)
When: April 1, 2024 – June 30, 2024Rule: Stage 2 DBPREnforcement: Formal — state order issuedVerify on EPA.gov
TIER 2Unresolved
Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)
When: April 1, 2024 – June 30, 2024Rule: Stage 2 DBPREnforcement: Formal — state order issuedVerify on EPA.gov
TIER 2Unresolved
Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)
When: April 1, 2024 – June 30, 2024Rule: Stage 2 DBPREnforcement: Formal — state order issuedVerify on EPA.gov
TIER 3Resolved
Failed to conduct Level 2 Assessment
This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.
When: March 31, 2024 – June 11, 2024Rule: Stage 2 DBPREnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 2Resolved
Failed treatment technique requirements
When: January 1, 2024 – January 31, 2024Rule: Surface Water Treatment RuleEnforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 2Resolved
Failed treatment technique requirements
When: January 1, 2024 – January 31, 2024Rule: Surface Water Treatment RuleEnforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 2Unresolved
Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)
When: January 1, 2024 – March 31, 2024Rule: Stage 2 DBPREnforcement: Formal — state order issuedVerify on EPA.gov
TIER 2Unresolved
Exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (running average)
When: January 1, 2024 – March 31, 2024Rule: Stage 2 DBPREnforcement: Formal — state order issuedVerify on EPA.gov
TIER 3Resolved
Monitoring Violation
This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.
When: June 1, 2023 – June 30, 2023Rule: Total Coliform RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 1 — URGENTResolved
Violation related to Nitrate
When: September 1, 2022 – September 30, 2022Rule: Surface Water Treatment RuleEnforcement: Formal — state order issued
TIER 1 — URGENTResolved
Violation related to Nitrate
When: August 1, 2022 – August 31, 2022Rule: Surface Water Treatment RuleEnforcement: Formal — state order issued
Understanding violation severity
Tier 1Urgent health risk. Utility must notify all customers within 24 hours.Tier 2Important health or treatment issue. Customers notified within 30 days.Tier 3Administrative or monitoring issue. Reported in the annual water quality report.
Source: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) · Updated quarterly
Altus, Oklahoma tap water receives a grade of F (0/100), which is considered failing. 0 contaminant(s) exceed EPA maximum contaminant levels and 169 violation(s) are on record. Residents should consider using an NSF-certified water filter to reduce contaminant exposure.
What contaminants are in Altus's water?
Of the 69 contaminants tested in Altus's water supply, the most notable include chlorate. No contaminants exceed EPA legal limits. 1 contaminant(s) exceed EPA health goals (MCLGs), which are non-enforceable targets set at levels with no known health risk.
Does Altus have any water quality violations?
Yes, Altus has 169 EPA violation(s) on record, with the most recent in 2025. Violation types include MR, MON, MCL. 132 of these are health-based violations, which are the most serious category.
Do I need a water filter in Altus?
Altus water meets EPA standards, so a filter is not strictly necessary. However, some residents prefer the added security of a water filter. EPA health goals (MCLGs) are stricter than legal limits and are set at levels with zero expected health risk. 1 contaminant(s) exceed these stricter goals.
Where does Altus's tap water come from?
Altus's drinking water is sourced from surface water and supplied by ALTUS and 1 other water system(s). The system serves approximately 23,334 people. Surface water sources include rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.
How often is Altus's water tested?
Under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), water utilities are required to regularly test for over 90 contaminants. Testing frequency varies by contaminant — some are tested monthly, others quarterly or annually. Altus's water systems must report results to the EPA and publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). The data on this page reflects the latest available EPA testing data.
How does Altus's water compare to other cities in Oklahoma?
Altus's water quality score of 0/100 earns a grade of F, which is considered failing. This is a concerning score that suggests significant water quality issues. Visit our Oklahoma state page to see how all cities in the state compare.
What should I do if I'm concerned about Altus's water quality?
If you have concerns about Altus's tap water, consider these steps: (1) Request your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report for detailed local data. (2) Get your water independently tested through a state-certified laboratory. (3) Consider an NSF-certified water filter rated for the contaminants found in your area. (4) Contact your water utility (ALTUS) with specific questions. (5) Report water quality issues to your state drinking water program or the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791.