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Radioactive metal causing kidney damage and cancer risk. Below are US cities ranked by their measured Uranium levels compared to EPA limits. Higher percentages indicate greater concern.
Vulnerable Populations: The EPA limit is based on kidney toxicity, not cancer risk. Those with existing kidney problems are at higher risk.
Ranked by percentage of the EPA limit, using one real EPA measurement per water system (2012–2019 (SYR4)). Click any city for its full report.
Historical data. Figure shown is the average of the system's 2012–2019 finished-water compliance samples (EPA Six-Year Review 4), non-detects counted as zero. Treat as history, not today's tap water.
| Rank | City | State | Level | Period | EPA Limit | % of Limit | Status | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Portland | Maine | 50.05 ppbAverage of 4 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 166.8% | Exceeds Limit | 135,068 |
| #2 | Burbank | California | 18.76 ppbAverage of 8 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 62.5% | Elevated | 105,603 |
| #3 | Meridian | Idaho | 16.88 ppbAverage of 99 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 56.3% | Elevated | 147,340 |
| #4 | Commerce City | Colorado | 16.49 ppbAverage of 18 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 55.0% | Elevated | 75,559 |
| #5 | Manteca | California | 16.39 ppbAverage of 1 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 54.6% | Elevated | 84,928 |
| #6 | Garden City | Kansas | 14.71 ppbAverage of 8 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 49.0% | Within Limit | 35,126 |
| #7 | Maricopa | Arizona | 12.77 ppbAverage of 138 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 42.6% | Within Limit | 84,000 |
| #8 | Kuna | Idaho | 12.28 ppbAverage of 29 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 40.9% | Within Limit | 32,038 |
| #9 | Dodge City | Kansas | 12.15 ppbAverage of 2 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 40.5% | Within Limit | 27,104 |
| #10 | Riverside | California | 12.05 ppbAverage of 2176 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 40.2% | Within Limit | 298,398 |
| #11 | Nampa | Idaho | 9.11 ppbAverage of 39 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 30.4% | Within Limit | 100,200 |
| #12 | Fountain Valley | California | 9.03 ppbAverage of 8 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 30.1% | Within Limit | 56,747 |
| #13 | Modesto | California | 8.77 ppbAverage of 1831 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 29.2% | Within Limit | 218,771 |
| #14 | Salinas | California | 8.66 ppbAverage of 5 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 28.9% | Within Limit | 123,679 |
| #15 | Englewood | Colorado | 8.65 ppbAverage of 2 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 28.8% | Within Limit | 57,332 |
| #16 | Liberal | Kansas | 8.40 ppbAverage of 1 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 28.0% | Within Limit | 19,640 |
| #17 | Simi Valley | California | 8.31 ppbAverage of 5 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 27.7% | Within Limit | 94,738 |
| #18 | Lake Havasu City | Arizona | 6.80 ppbAverage of 1 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 22.7% | Within Limit | 54,610 |
| #19 | Prescott | Arizona | 6.59 ppbAverage of 14 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 22.0% | Within Limit | 42,217 |
| #20 | Boise | Idaho | 6.31 ppbAverage of 260 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 21.0% | Within Limit | 264,978 |
| #21 | Fountain | Colorado | 6.00 ppbAverage of 5 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 20.0% | Within Limit | 25,130 |
| #22 | Oceanside | California | 5.79 ppbAverage of 10 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 19.3% | Within Limit | 171,483 |
| #23 | Lubbock | Texas | 5.24 ppbAverage of 5 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 17.5% | Within Limit | 275,041 |
| #24 | Santa Monica | California | 5.00 ppbAverage of 111 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 16.7% | Within Limit | 89,947 |
| #25 | La Mesa | California | 4.91 ppbAverage of 6 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 16.4% | Within Limit | 277,668 |
| #26 | Caldwell | Idaho | 4.92 ppbAverage of 25 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 16.4% | Within Limit | 74,000 |
| #27 | Tempe | Arizona | 4.84 ppbAverage of 36 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 16.1% | Within Limit | 165,000 |
| #28 | Temple Terrace | Florida | 4.77 ppbAverage of 4 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 15.9% | Within Limit | 31,250 |
| #29 | Twin Falls | Idaho | 4.70 ppbAverage of 3 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 15.7% | Within Limit | 56,121 |
| #30 | Kansas City | Kansas | 4.50 ppbAverage of 3 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 15.0% | Within Limit | 152,960 |
| #31 | Los Angeles | California | 4.47 ppbAverage of 80 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 14.9% | Within Limit | 3,875,566 |
| #32 | Oxnard | California | 4.37 ppbAverage of 12 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 14.6% | Within Limit | 200,232 |
| #33 | Nogales | Arizona | 4.35 ppbAverage of 15 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 14.5% | Within Limit | 22,000 |
| #34 | El Paso | Texas | 3.98 ppbAverage of 46 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 13.3% | Within Limit | 747,168 |
| #35 | Kingman | Arizona | 3.66 ppbAverage of 12 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 12.2% | Within Limit | 45,000 |
| #36 | Avondale | Arizona | 3.43 ppbAverage of 67 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 11.4% | Within Limit | 96,130 |
| #37 | Tarpon Springs | Florida | 3.36 ppbAverage of 26 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 11.2% | Within Limit | 28,875 |
| #38 | Yuma | Arizona | 3.25 ppbAverage of 2 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 10.8% | Within Limit | 103,264 |
| #39 | Pittsburg | California | 3.17 ppbAverage of 10 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 10.6% | Within Limit | 62,500 |
| #40 | Goodyear | Arizona | 3.17 ppbAverage of 11 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 10.6% | Within Limit | 50,001 |
| #41 | Brighton | Colorado | 3.05 ppbAverage of 4 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 10.2% | Within Limit | 56,304 |
| #42 | Tucson | Arizona | 2.95 ppbAverage of 148 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 9.8% | Within Limit | 732,906 |
| #43 | Pueblo | Colorado | 2.93 ppbAverage of 3 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 9.8% | Within Limit | 114,070 |
| #44 | Aurora | Colorado | 2.90 ppbAverage of 3 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 9.7% | Within Limit | 533,407 |
| #45 | Gilbert | Arizona | 2.91 ppbAverage of 50 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 9.7% | Within Limit | 247,600 |
| #46 | Augusta | Maine | 2.78 ppbAverage of 5 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 9.3% | Within Limit | 13,750 |
| #47 | Chandler | Arizona | 2.74 ppbAverage of 133 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 9.1% | Within Limit | 247,328 |
| #48 | Sahuarita | Arizona | 2.70 ppbAverage of 1 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 9.0% | Within Limit | 18,178 |
| #49 | Irvine | California | 2.66 ppbAverage of 51 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 8.9% | Within Limit | 444,800 |
| #50 | Houston | Texas | 2.61 ppbAverage of 66 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 8.7% | Within Limit | 2,970,543 |
| #51 | Phoenix | Arizona | 2.55 ppbAverage of 47 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 8.5% | Within Limit | 1,695,000 |
| #52 | Peoria | Arizona | 2.50 ppbAverage of 2 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 8.3% | Within Limit | 187,676 |
| #53 | San Diego | California | 2.44 ppbAverage of 10 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 8.1% | Within Limit | 1,385,379 |
| #54 | Scottsdale | Arizona | 2.41 ppbAverage of 18 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 8.0% | Within Limit | 241,361 |
| #55 | Bullhead City | Arizona | 2.40 ppbAverage of 2 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 8.0% | Within Limit | 36,330 |
| #56 | Jerome | Idaho | 2.27 ppbAverage of 4 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 7.6% | Within Limit | 13,135 |
| #57 | Carmel | Indiana | 2.24 ppbAverage of 7 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 7.5% | Within Limit | 99,927 |
| #58 | Ammon | Idaho | 2.26 ppbAverage of 15 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 7.5% | Within Limit | 17,338 |
| #59 | Las Vegas | Nevada | 2.20 ppbAverage of 41 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 7.3% | Within Limit | 1,539,277 |
| #60 | Colorado Springs | Colorado | 2.19 ppbAverage of 7 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 7.3% | Within Limit | 464,111 |
| #61 | Costa Mesa | California | 2.19 ppbAverage of 4 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 7.3% | Within Limit | 110,000 |
| #62 | Chubbuck | Idaho | 2.18 ppbAverage of 12 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 7.3% | Within Limit | 15,842 |
| #63 | Temecula | California | 2.17 ppbAverage of 14 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 7.2% | Within Limit | 146,147 |
| #64 | Rexburg | Idaho | 2.12 ppbAverage of 18 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 7.1% | Within Limit | 40,695 |
| #65 | Jurupa Valley | California | 2.10 ppbAverage of 3 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 7.0% | Within Limit | 135,093 |
| #66 | Encinitas | California | 2.07 ppbAverage of 9 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 6.9% | Within Limit | 86,458 |
| #67 | Coeur d'Alene | Idaho | 2.07 ppbAverage of 16 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 6.9% | Within Limit | 54,115 |
| #68 | Eagle | Idaho | 2.00 ppbAverage of 2 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 6.7% | Within Limit | 6,108 |
| #69 | Glendale | Arizona | 1.97 ppbAverage of 27 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 6.6% | Within Limit | 234,766 |
| #70 | North Miami | Florida | 1.94 ppbAverage of 2 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 6.5% | Within Limit | 89,349 |
| #71 | Vail | Colorado | 1.96 ppbAverage of 5 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 6.5% | Within Limit | 51,515 |
| #72 | El Mirage | Arizona | 1.96 ppbAverage of 18 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 6.5% | Within Limit | 39,884 |
| #73 | Bakersfield | California | 1.89 ppbAverage of 61 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 6.3% | Within Limit | 267,881 |
| #74 | Queen Creek | Arizona | 1.89 ppbAverage of 6 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 6.3% | Within Limit | 95,502 |
| #75 | Payson | Arizona | 1.90 ppbAverage of 6 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 6.3% | Within Limit | 17,682 |
| #76 | Pocatello | Idaho | 1.85 ppbAverage of 34 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 6.2% | Within Limit | 58,231 |
| #77 | Escondido | California | 1.79 ppbAverage of 5 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 6.0% | Within Limit | 137,044 |
| #78 | Surprise | Arizona | 1.76 ppbAverage of 24 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 5.9% | Within Limit | 40,007 |
| #79 | El Monte | California | 1.73 ppbAverage of 5 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 5.8% | Within Limit | 248,000 |
| #80 | Sierra Vista | Arizona | 1.60 ppbAverage of 15 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 5.3% | Within Limit | 20,045 |
| #81 | Lafayette | Indiana | 1.56 ppbAverage of 4 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 5.2% | Within Limit | 70,835 |
| #82 | Thornton | Colorado | 1.49 ppbAverage of 9 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 5.0% | Within Limit | 226,465 |
| #83 | St. George | Utah | 1.50 ppbAverage of 3 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 5.0% | Within Limit | 105,240 |
| #84 | Upland | California | 1.50 ppbAverage of 2 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 5.0% | Within Limit | 78,376 |
| #85 | Idaho Falls | Idaho | 1.48 ppbAverage of 37 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 4.9% | Within Limit | 69,450 |
| #86 | Flagstaff | Arizona | 1.37 ppbAverage of 11 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 4.6% | Within Limit | 79,796 |
| #87 | Blackfoot | Idaho | 1.37 ppbAverage of 8 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 4.6% | Within Limit | 13,224 |
| #88 | Bel Air | Maryland | 1.37 ppbAverage of 7 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 4.6% | Within Limit | 13,200 |
| #89 | Perris | California | 1.33 ppbAverage of 25 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 4.4% | Within Limit | 666,581 |
| #90 | Tustin | California | 1.33 ppbAverage of 2 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 4.4% | Within Limit | 66,600 |
| #91 | Westfield | Indiana | 1.26 ppbAverage of 5 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 4.2% | Within Limit | 61,493 |
| #92 | Garden City | Idaho | 1.23 ppbAverage of 13 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 4.1% | Within Limit | 12,500 |
| #93 | Palo Alto | California | 1.20 ppbAverage of 1 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 4.0% | Within Limit | 67,231 |
| #94 | Buckeye | Arizona | 1.18 ppbAverage of 5 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 3.9% | Within Limit | 30,377 |
| #95 | Palmdale | California | 1.05 ppbAverage of 4 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 3.5% | Within Limit | 126,804 |
| #96 | Parker | Colorado | 1.03 ppbAverage of 20 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 3.4% | Within Limit | 75,949 |
| #97 | New Orleans | Louisiana | 0.978 ppbAverage of 13 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 3.3% | Within Limit | 334,903 |
| #98 | Glendale | California | 0.883 ppbAverage of 38 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 2.9% | Within Limit | 188,784 |
| #99 | Columbus | Indiana | 0.850 ppbAverage of 2 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 2.8% | Within Limit | 51,122 |
| #100 | Seymour | Indiana | 0.850 ppbAverage of 1 samples | 2012–2019 | 30.00 ppb | 2.8% | Within Limit | 20,725 |
Most effective treatment for uranium. Strong base anion exchange resin.
Effective point-of-use treatment option.
Very effective but impractical for large volumes.
Uranium is common in groundwater from granite, sandstone, and other formations in the Southwest, Rocky Mountains, and upper Midwest.
The EPA limit is set to protect against kidney damage, which occurs at lower levels than significant cancer risk. Both are concerns with chronic exposure.
No. Boiling concentrates uranium. Specialized filtration is required.