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Official EPA SDWIS Verified ReportWater Quality & Testing GuideHistorical Record: No Recorded SDWIS Violations

ZIP Code 73726 Water Quality & Testing Report

Carmen, OK · Alfalfa County County · Updated for 2026

Sahajul HaqueCompiled & verified by Sahajul Haque from official EPA SDWIS records
Public Health & Medical Notice: Drinking water quality data on this page reflects historical compliance records submitted under the Safe Drinking Water Act. This information does not constitute medical advice or a real-time safety guarantee. If you are pregnant, nursing, preparing infant formula, or immunocompromised, consult a healthcare provider. Boiling water kills biological pathogens, but does NOT remove chemical contaminants like lead, arsenic, or PFAS.
Quick EPA Verified Answer

Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in ZIP 73726 (Carmen, OK)?

Yes, tap water in ZIP code 73726 (Carmen, OK) is safe to drink under EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards. Supplied by Carmen Public Works Authority, the area earns an EPA Safety Grade of B (83/100) with 1 health violations, 0 ppb lead, and hard (159 mg/L / 9.3 GPG) water.

Safety Score
B

Water Safety Grade

Good — Minor issues on record

Health Violations

1

Total Violations

34

Lead Risk

High

Contaminants

1

⚠

Active Water Quality Issues Detected

EPA records show 14 unresolved violations. Contact Carmen Public Works Authority for current status.

About Tap Water in ZIP Code 73726

Tap water in ZIP code 73726 (Carmen, OK) is distributed by Carmen Public Works Authority (EPA ID: OK2000207), serving approximately 355 residents. Based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Act compliance records, this system receives a water safety grade of B with a composite quality score of 83/100.

Water System

Carmen Public Works Authority

EPA ID: OK2000207

Water Source

Ground Water

Population Served

355 residents

County

Alfalfa County County, Oklahoma

🧪

Lead Levels in ZIP 73726

EPA action level: 15 ppb | Public health goal: 0 ppb

Lead Data Not Available

Lead testing data was not found in EPA records for ZIP code 73726. Contact Carmen Public Works Authority to request lead testing results.

Lead exposure risk in 73726 is rated High. EPA models estimate a 66% exposure probability based on housing and infrastructure age.

Lead Exposure Risk Rating
High
Lead Exposure Probability

EPA model estimate based on housing age and infrastructure

66%
Note: Lead levels above are the 90th percentile from EPA monitoring — meaning 90% of samples were at or below this level. Even "undetected" tap water lead doesn't account for lead leaching from home plumbing. If your home was built before 1986, individual tap testing is recommended.
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Water Hardness & Mineral Content

Grains per gallon (GPG) & Parts per million (PPM / mg/L)

Classification: Hard9.3 GPG · 159 mg/L

Water in ZIP 73726 is Hard (159 mg/L / 9.3 GPG). Residents may notice white mineral spots on glassware, reduced soap efficiency, and mineral scale on faucets and showerheads.

Recommendation: An ion-exchange water softener or descaler is recommended to prolong the life of water heaters, dishwashers, and plumbing.
Hardness (GPG)

Grains per gallon

9.3 GPG
Hardness (PPM / mg/L)

Parts per million CaCO3

159 mg/L
Appliance Scaling Risk
High / Severe

Official EPA SDWIS Database Entry

Utility: Carmen Public Works Authority · PWSID: OK2000207

Verify on EPA.gov
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Violation History

Past 5 years — EPA SDWIS data

Carmen Public Works Authority has recorded 1 health-based violation out of 34 total violations over the past 5 years. 14 violations remain unresolved in EPA tracking records.

Total Violations (5 yr)
34
Health-Based Violations
1
Unresolved Violations
14
Boil Water Advisories
0
Compliance Risk
Critical

Regulatory compliance risk for this utility is rated Critical based on past reporting and enforcement records.

⚗️

Contaminants Detected

Contaminants with health-based violations on record

EPA records identify 1 contaminant with health-based violations in the past 5 years: Stage 2 DBP Rule.

Stage 2 DBP Rule

⚖ Enforcement Actions

EPA or state regulators have issued 10 enforcement actions to address compliance lapses.
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Water Source & Environmental Factors

Ground Water

This system draws water from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through soil and rock, but can still contain naturally occurring minerals like arsenic, radium, or nitrates.

Water Source Type
Ground Water
EPA Radon Zone

Lower potential

Zone 3
Energy Burden

% of household income spent on energy — indicator of older infrastructure

2.91%

EPA Radon Zone 3 — lower radon potential, though the EPA still recommends testing all homes.

Water Quality Testing in ZIP 73726

Tap Water & Well Testing Recommendations

Residents in ZIP code 73726 served by Carmen Public Works Authority can test tap water or private well systems to verify water purity. Testing detects hidden contaminants before they impact family health.

Tap Water Testing Steps

  • 1.Conduct a certified lead check if your home was constructed before 1986.
  • 2.Use certified lab testing kits rather than uncalibrated test strips for regulated compliance.
  • 3.Sample water from both your kitchen faucet and water heater to compare line purity.

Private Well Testing Steps

  • •Test for Coliform bacteria and Nitrates annually.
  • •Test for heavy metals, radon, and PFAS every 3 years.
  • •Send samples to a state-certified drinking water laboratory recognized by Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality.
Certified Lab Testing: Always use an EPA-certified drinking water laboratory in OK for formal legal or real estate compliance testing.

🛡 What Should You Do? — ZIP 73726 Recommendations

  • ✓ Run cold water for 30 seconds each morning before use — especially if pipes are old
  • ✓ Request your annual Consumer Confidence Report from Carmen Public Works Authority
  • ✓ If your home was built before 1986, consider testing your own tap for lead
  • ✓ Use a pitcher filter (NSF/ANSI 42 certified) for improved taste

Recommended Taste & Safety Filter:

🚰

NSF/ANSI 53 Certified Pitcher Filter

Best for removing aesthetic chlorine, odors, and low-level heavy metals.

Filter Selection Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions — ZIP 73726 Water Quality

Is tap water safe to drink in ZIP code 73726?+
Yes — tap water in 73726 (Carmen, OK) meets EPA standards with a water safety grade of B. No health-based violations are on record in the past 5 years.
How do I get my water tested in ZIP 73726 (Carmen, OK)?+
To test water quality in ZIP 73726, you can order a certified drinking water test kit or send water samples to an EPA/NELAP certified laboratory in OK. Certified testing checks for lead, coliform bacteria, nitrates, hardness, and PFAS that standard test strips miss. Contact Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality for a list of certified regional labs.
How hard is the tap water in 73726?+
Tap water in 73726 is classified as Hard with an estimated mineral hardness of 159 mg/L (9.3 GPG). An ion-exchange water softener or descaler is recommended to prolong the life of water heaters, dishwashers, and plumbing.
Should I test private well water in 73726?+
Yes. Unlike municipal systems, private wells in 73726 are not regulated by the EPA or local utilities. Private well owners should test their water annually for coliform bacteria and nitrates, and every 3 to 5 years for heavy metals (lead, arsenic) and volatile organic compounds.
What is the lead level in 73726 tap water?+
Lead level data is not available in EPA records for 73726. Contact your utility for details.
Is there an active boil water notice in 73726?+
There are currently no active boil water advisories on record for 73726. Water treatment systems are operating within normal parameters.
Who provides tap water to 73726?+
Tap water in ZIP code 73726 is provided by Carmen Public Works Authority (EPA ID: OK2000207), serving approximately 355 residents.
What water filter should I use in 73726?+
Based on water metrics for 73726, we recommend Reverse Osmosis (PFAS & Lead). Look for certifications such as NSF/ANSI 58 (Reverse Osmosis), NSF/ANSI 53 (Lead & VOCs), NSF/ANSI P473 (PFAS/PFOS).

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for ZIP code 73726 is compiled from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), EPA ECHO enforcement database, UCMR5 unregulated contaminant monitoring, and Consumer Confidence Reports filed by Carmen Public Works Authority. Safety scores are composite metrics derived from violation history, lead levels, enforcement actions, and infrastructure risk indicators. Data reflects a 5-year monitoring window. Last dataset update: 2024. View EPA source data →