Water Quality: Welch, OK
2 water systems • 1,900 people served
Multiple Health ViolationsWater Quality Summary
Welch is served by 2 public water systems with a combined service population of 1,900 people, and has 364 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 77 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. Welch's violation count is 38% above the national average for Oklahoma. Contaminants associated with violations include E. coli, Gross Alpha, HAA5, Lead, 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)
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)
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)
Causes neurological damage, developmental delays in children, and kidney damage in adults even at low exposure levels.
Common source: Old plumbing pipes, lead solder, brass fixtures
EPA limit: Action Level: 0.015 mg/L (15 ppb)
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
Not a direct health risk but reacts with disinfectants to form carcinogenic byproducts such as trihalomethanes.
Common source: Decaying plant material, algae, soil organic matter in source water
EPA limit: Treatment technique (must reduce TOC based on source water level)
Water Systems Serving Welch
| System Name | PWSID | Source | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CRAIG CO RWS & SWMD #3 | OK2001807 | Groundwater | 1,100 | 106 |
| WELCH PWA | OK2001801 | Groundwater | 800 | 258 |
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.