Water Quality: Mcalester, OK
10 water systems • 28,783 people served
Multiple Health ViolationsWater Quality Summary
Mcalester is served by 10 public water systems with a combined service population of 28,783 people, and has 1,248 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 784 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. Mcalester's violation count is 374% above the national average for Oklahoma. Contaminants associated with violations include Contaminant 2920, E. coli, Fecal Coliform, Gross Alpha, Nitrate.
Contaminants Found
Causes gastrointestinal illness; certain strains (e.g., O157:H7) can cause severe kidney failure and death.
Common source: Fecal contamination from humans or animals entering the water supply
EPA limit: Zero (no E. coli permitted in drinking water)
Indicates direct fecal contamination; associated with diarrhea, cramps, nausea, and potential severe illness.
Common source: Human and animal fecal waste
EPA limit: Zero tolerance (any positive triggers violations)
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)
Trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids that increase cancer risk and may cause adverse reproductive outcomes.
Common source: Chlorine disinfection reacting with natural organic matter in source water
EPA limit: TTHM: 0.080 mg/L; HAA5: 0.060 mg/L
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 Mcalester
| System Name | PWSID | Source | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MCALESTER PWA | OK1020609 | Surface Water | 18,206 | 172 |
| PITTSBURG CO. RWD #7 (ARPELAR) | OK3006108 | Surface Water | 2,040 | 110 |
| US ARMY AMMUNITION PLANT | OK1020605 | Surface Water | 1,872 | 20 |
| PITTSBURG CO. RWD #5 | OK3006115 | Surface Water | 1,750 | 146 |
| PITTSBURG CO. RWD #14 | OK1020625 | Surface Water | 1,680 | 281 |
| PITTSBURG CO. RWD #16 | OK3006106 | Surface Water | 1,268 | 42 |
| PITTSBURG CO. RWD #9 (MCALESTER) | OK3006107 | Surface Water | 872 | 31 |
| PITTSBURG CO. RWD #11 (KIOWA) | OK3006105 | Surface Water | 790 | 59 |
| PITTSBURG CO. RWD #6 (ALDERSON) | OK3006109 | Surface Water | 300 | 34 |
| PITTSBURG CO. WATER AUTHORITY | OK1020616 | Surface Water | 5 | 353 |
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.