Water Quality: Howe, OK
1 water system • 1,593 people served
Multiple Health ViolationsWater Quality Summary
Howe is served by 1 public water system with a combined service population of 1,593 people, and has 52 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 18 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. Howe's violation count is 80% below the national average for Oklahoma. Contaminants associated with violations include Gross Alpha, Nitrate, TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
Contaminants Found
Alpha-emitting radioactive particles increase cancer risk, particularly from bone and other internal cancers.
Common source: Natural uranium and radium in geological formations
EPA limit: 15 pCi/L (excluding radon and uranium)
Causes methemoglobinemia (blue baby syndrome) in infants, reducing the blood's ability to carry oxygen.
Common source: Fertilizer runoff, septic systems, animal feedlots, natural deposits
EPA limit: 10 mg/L (as nitrogen)
Total trihalomethanes are linked to increased risk of bladder cancer and adverse reproductive outcomes.
Common source: Reaction of chlorine disinfectants with naturally occurring organic matter in water
EPA limit: 0.080 mg/L (80 ppb)
Haloacetic acids are associated with increased cancer risk and potential reproductive and developmental effects.
Common source: Reaction of chlorine disinfectants with organic matter in treated water
EPA limit: 0.060 mg/L (60 ppb)
Water Systems Serving Howe
| System Name | PWSID | Source | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LEFLORE CO. RWD #5 | OK3004010 | Surface Water | 1,593 | 52 |
Concerned About Your Water?
A home water filter can remove common contaminants. NSF-certified filters are tested against EPA standards.
Consider a reverse osmosis system for comprehensive filtration or a carbon filter for basic improvement.
Other Cities in Oklahoma
Data Sources
Drinking water violation data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). Data includes all recorded violations for active community water systems.