City Celebrates Source Water Protection Week

City Celebrates Source Water Protection Week

10/2/2025

The City of Tulsa is joining water utilities nationwide this week to recognize Source Water Protection Week and raise awareness about caring for our drinking water sources.

Over the years and continuing to today, Tulsa has remained committed to safeguarding its source water and works year-round to ensure our water is clean and safe.

"The City of Tulsa and the Tulsa Metropolitan Utility Authority have been safeguarding our source water since the Spavinaw Water Project began more than a century ago," Water and Sewer Director Eric Lee said. "Today, that commitment continues to be stronger than ever. With the launch of a new Source Water Protection Plan for the Eucha-Spavinaw Watershed, we are working alongside a broad coalition of partners to ensure Lakes Spavinaw and Eucha remain reliable, high-quality water sources for the next 100 years. By combining the dedication of our employees with the innovation of our community partners, we're protecting one of Tulsa's most valuable resources - clean, safe drinking water for generations to come."

The City of Tulsa recently initiated the development of a Source Water Protection Plan for the Eucha-Spavinaw Watershed. The plan will be created in partnership with a broad range of stakeholders who are invested in maintaining and improving Lakes Eucha and Spavinaw. Once complete, it will serve as a roadmap for actions the City and others can take to help ensure communities across northeast Oklahoma have a consistent, high-quality supply of drinking water for decades to come.

Tulsa's program has earned national recognition. In 2019, the City received the Exemplary Source Water Protections Award from the American Water Works Association. Each year, City biologists, chemists and data analysts collect and analyze more than 100,000 water samples for the Spavinaw-Eucha lake systems to help ensure high-quality source water.

The City of Tulsa and the Tulsa Metropolitan Utility Authority (TMUA) also invest in conservation easements and work with landowners in the watershed who follow best management practices to reduce nutrient runoff into the lakes. The City acquires conservation land around water-supply lakes to protect natural landscapes and prevent development that could harm water quality. Over the years, Tulsa has invested in conservation easements that protect more than 5,150 acres in the Eucha-Spavinaw watershed. These efforts help ensure Tulsa's water is protected and kept clean for residents to enjoy for years to come.

About Source Water
Source Water is the raw, untreated supply of water, typically surface water or groundwater, used for current or future drinking water. Source water protection is a proactive approach to safeguard, maintain or improve the quality and/or quantity of drinking water sources and their contributing areas.

For more information about Tulsa's water supply, visit: https://www.cityoftulsa.org/watersupply