Lawton

To maintain safe tap water, the ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY establishes regulations limiting specific contaminants in public water systems. Similarly, FDA and Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) set standards for bottled water, providing equivalent public health protection. All water sources, whether from tap or bottle, naturally contain some level of contaminants.

Water sources include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels across land or underground, it dissolves natural minerals, potentially radioactive materials, and can pick up substances from animal presence or human activities.

Potential contaminants in water supplies include:

• Microbial Contaminants: Viruses and bacteria from sewage treatment facilities, septic systems, agricultural operations, or wildlife
• Inorganic Contaminants: Salts and metals occurring naturally or resulting from urban runoff, industrial/domestic wastewater, oil/gas production, mining, or farming
• Pesticides and Herbicides: From various sources including agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential usage
• Organic Chemical Contaminants: Synthetic and volatile organic compounds from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, and septic systems
• Radioactive Contaminants: Naturally occurring or resulting from oil/gas production and mining operations

1. How often is municipal water tested in Lawton?
2. What causes water hardness in Comanche County?
3. Are there special considerations for infants and pregnant women regarding Lawton's water?
4. How can residents reduce exposure to potential contaminants?
5. What filtration systems are most effective for Lawton's specific water profile?