Salt Lake City Water Quality

Detected above the EPA's 4 ppt limit for PFOA/PFOS — the "forever chemicals" linked to cancer and immune effects. Compounds found: PFHxA, PFHxS, PFOS, PFPeA.

1 EPA violation on record (most recent 2025). HAA5 are a second group of chlorine disinfection byproducts formed when chlorine reacts with organic matter in water. Long-term exposure is associated with increased cancer risk and possible developmental effects. They commonly occur together with trihalomethanes.

1 EPA violation on record (most recent 2020). Radium is a naturally radioactive element that leaches from rock into groundwater. Long-term exposure increases the risk of bone cancer and other cancers because it concentrates in bone. The federal limit covers the combined activity of radium-226 and radium-228.

1 EPA violation on record (most recent 2025). TTHM form when chlorine used to disinfect water reacts with natural organic matter. Long-term exposure has been linked to increased cancer risk and to harm in pregnancy. Levels often rise in warmer months and in systems with more organic material.

1 EPA violation on record (most recent 2020). Beta and photon emitters are radioactive contaminants that can come from natural deposits or from nuclear activity. Long-term exposure increases cancer risk. The federal limit is expressed as an annual dose rather than a simple concentration.

Salt Lake City's water is very hard. Hardness isn't a health risk, but it drives scale on fixtures and water heaters, shortens appliance life, and leaves skin and hair dry.