Water Quality

City of Tulsa Lake Eucha and Spavinaw Lake Water Quality

2009 Water Quality Report

Report front and back page information
Test Results

Archive Reports

Water is Life. Water covers two-thirds of the Planet Earth, and makes up nearly two-thirds of our bodies. And there is no new water! All the water on the planet is constantly being recycled. We must take care of this resource.

City employees work long hours to keep Tulsa's drinking water and storm water safe and clean. Employees staff our treatment plants 365 days per year, 24 hours per day. These trained professionals not only monitor the results of computerized tests but also conduct tests themselves every two hours.

Pipes bring raw water from our source lakes Eucha, Spavinaw, Oologah and Hudson. Professionals test this water before it enters our two drinking water plants. Those tests provide information that tells us the quantities of chemicals needed for treatment.

Sediment in our source water is a major problem. The turbidity (cloudiness) of the water is monitored throughout the treatment process. Employees even monitor finished water as it travels through the distribution system. The City of Tulsa works hard to ensure that the water that comes out of the faucet is safe for drinking, cooking, bathing and other purposes.

But what about storm water? When it rains, the storm water runs into Tulsa's creeks and waterways. This water carries with it pesticides, fertilizers, motor oil and antifreeze, chemicals and pet waste, as well as trash and litter from your neighborhood. These pollutants can kill fish and harm other animals and plants that live in our water. They also increase the amount of treatment required to make the water drinkable.

City employees regularly monitor streams and storm sewers across the City. In addition, City inspectors educate area businesses and homeowners. Many people do not understand that what they do in their own yard can pollute our water.

Stormwater in Tulsa flows either into Bird Creek or the Arkansas River. These two waterways are the primary watersheds in the Tulsa area. Bird Creek receives stormwater from the north and eastern sections of the city. It eventually flows into the Verdigris River. The Arkansas River receives stormwater runoff from western and southern Tulsa neighborhoods.

Each year the City of Tulsa provides a Water Quality Report for those who are using water treated by our Treatment Plants. This report meets a federal reporting requirement. Residents can view reports for previous years through the following links.

2008 Water Quality Report

Report front and page page information
Test Results

2007 Water Quality Report

Report Cover and Back Page

Test Results

2006 Water Quality Report
Page 1
Page 2-3
Page 4

2005 Water Quality Report
Pages 1
Page 2

2004 Water Quality Report
Pages 1 & 4
Pages 2 & 3

2003 Water Quality Report
Pages 1-4

Water Hardness

Water is referred to as hard or soft because of the presence of minerals in the water. In eastern Oklahoma, much of the water used for public water supply comes from lakes (surface water). This water has flowed over the ground in streams or rivers until it reaches a lake where it is stored and eventually consumed. Another type of water- groundwater - flows through soil and permeable rock before it trickles out into a stream and eventually a lake. As water moves, it picks up minerals from the rocks and soil. Two of these minerals, calcium and magnesium, accumulate and create the "hardness" rating of your water.This rating is measured in Parts Per Million (ppm) or Grains Per Gallon (gpg). The more minerals present in the water, the "harder" it is.

Water hardness is not a safety issue. Water is safe to drink no matter what the hardness rating is.

Hard Water Evidence in Your Home

• Decreased sudsing and cleaning capabilities of soaps and detergents, resulting in dingy laundry and reduced life of fabrics
• Increased buildup of scale on plumbing fixtures and cooking utensils such as a tea kettle, coffee maker, pasta pot and dishwater
• Film left on the body, resulting in dry skin and dull, limp hair
• Soap scum on bathtubs, shower tiles, and basins
• Clogged pipes or appliances, resulting in reduced water flow and increased repairs
• Increased water heating costs due to scale buildup and mineral deposits and more frequent replacement of hot water heating elements

Hard Water Benefits

• Minerals add to the taste of water (and are often added to bottled water!)
• Minerals can provide a trace amount of nutritional benefit

2008 Water Quality Report

Report front and page page information
Test Results