Arizona Tap Water Quality
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Overview
Arizona's big cities blend Colorado River water delivered by the Central Arizona Project canal with Salt and Verde River supplies and local groundwater. Phoenix, Mesa, Chandler, Glendale, and Tucson all meet federal standards, and utilities here run some of the country's most sophisticated drought and recharge management.
The desert geology gives Arizona water its character: it is among the hardest in the nation, and naturally occurring arsenic in groundwater is the state's most persistent compliance challenge, especially for small systems that rely on wells. PFAS plumes near military bases and airports have also forced well shutdowns around Tucson and Luke Air Force Base.
Common Contaminants in Arizona
Naturally occurring in Basin and Range groundwater; the most common health-based violation among small Arizona well systems
Firefighting-foam plumes near Tucson's south side, Luke AFB, and Davis-Monthan AFB have shut down municipal wells; affected utilities blend or treat
Colorado River and local groundwater are very hard, roughly 200-350 mg/L in metro Phoenix; a taste and appliance issue, not a safety one
Detected at low levels in some Phoenix-area and Yuma groundwater, below federal limits but above health-advocacy benchmarks
Violations & Compliance
Metro utilities are reliably compliant; arsenic exceedances in small groundwater systems account for most of Arizona's health-based violations. The state runs assistance programs to help small systems install arsenic treatment.
City Water Reports in Arizona
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources & References
The safety rating and guidance on this page draw on the following sources. See our full methodology.
- •US EPA Safe Drinking Water Act regulations
- •EWG Tap Water Database
- •The utility's most recent Consumer Confidence Report (CCR)
- •WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality