By Daniela Julio-Cano, FOX23.com News Staff
TULSA, Okla. — The City of Tulsa shared its 2026 Annual Water Quality Report on Monday.
According to the City, the report shows Tulsa’s drinking water either met or exceeded federal and state water quality requirements throughout 2025.
“Every time someone turns on their faucet, there’s an entire team of people working behind the scenes to make sure the water is safe, reliable and there when they need it,” explained Eric Lee, the Director of Water and Sewer for the City of Tulsa. “This report is a snapshot of the work our employees do every single day to protect public health, maintain critical infrastructure and deliver water our community can trust.”
The drinking water for Tulsa is provided by Lake Oologah, Lake Spavinaw, Lake Eucha and Lake Hudson and is treated at Mohawk and A.B. Jewell Water Treatment Plants.
Throughout 2025, over 47,000 tests were conducted by the City’s laboratory professionals and water treatment staff to properly monitor the quality of Tulsa’s drinking water.
Among the report’s findings, the City said no detectable levels of PFAS, often referred to as “forever chemicals” or lithium were found during Environmental Protection Agency-required monitoring in 2025.
City officials said water quality is monitored throughout the treatment and distribution process to ensure it meets public health standards before reaching homes and businesses.
Danny Chance, a Technical Director with Accurate Environmental, explained that water samples go through a detailed testing process once they arrive at a laboratory.
“Samples are received. We verify the chain of custody, complete the preparation and analysis and then put everything together to provide results to the client.”
Chance said federal regulations establish maximum contaminant levels for the substances that may be found in drinking water.
“Each one has a maximum contaminant level. As long as your water doesn’t exceed those levels, it meets the requirements for a public water system.”
The report notes that rainwater flowing into lakes can naturally pick up minerals from rocks and soil, as well as contaminants from human and animal activity. which is why all water from Tulsa’s source lakes is treated and extensively tested before distribution.
For any residents concerned about their drinking water, Chance recommends reviewing their water system’s annual Consumer Confidence Report, which outlines testing results and any regulatory exceedances.
He also emphasized the work performed behind the scenes by water and wastewater professionals.
“There’s a group of unsung heroes out there. Water and wastewater operators work very hard and a lot of people don’t see everything that happens behind the scenes to make that possible.”
Other highlights from the 2026 report include:
- Both water treatment plants in Tulsa received the 5-Year Presidents Award through the American Water Works Association’s Partnership for Safe Water program.
- The City of Tulsa’s True Reads program continued to inspect water service line materials and upgrade residential water meters throughout the year.
To read the City of Tulsa’s full 2026 Water Quality Report, click here.
