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EPA SDWIS City OverviewWater Testing & Safety Guide

Phoenix, AZ Water Quality Testing & Safety Report

EPA compliance records, water testing guidelines, and hardness metrics for all 78 ZIP codes in Phoenix, Arizona

Quick EPA Verified Summary

Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Phoenix, AZ?

Tap water in Phoenix, AZ receives an EPA Safety Grade of D (53/100) due to 1482 health-based violation(s) and elevated lead risk. While treated by local utilities, residents are advised to test tap water and use an NSF/ANSI 53 certified filter for drinking and cooking.

Average Score

53/100

Health Violations

1482

Water Hardness

Moderately Hard

105 mg/L (6.1 GPG)

High Lead Risk

22

of 78 ZIP codes

D

About Tap Water in Phoenix, AZ

Drinking water in Phoenix, AZ receives an average water quality grade of D (score: 53/100) across its 78 ZIP codes. Safe Drinking Water Act compliance monitoring is managed by local utilities including City of Phoenix.

⚠ Lead Risk Alert: Some ZIP codes in Phoenix are rated High or Very High for lead exposure risk based on EPA data. Search your specific ZIP code for a detailed lead level report.

Water Quality Testing in Phoenix, AZ

Tap Water & Well Water Testing Recommendations

Testing your drinking water in Phoenix confirms whether contaminants like lead, nitrates, bacteria, and PFAS are entering your home. While municipal utilities test water before distribution, private plumbing and private well systems require homeowner testing.

Tap Water Testing Checklist

  • 1.Identify your plumbing age: Homes built before 1986 in Phoenix may have lead solder or lead service lines.
  • 2.Request your utility's latest Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) for annual municipal baseline data.
  • 3.Use an EPA-certified laboratory or state-certified test kit for precision lead and PFAS detection (standard DIY strips cannot reliably measure trace heavy metals).
  • 4.Collect a "first draw" sample: Test water that has sat motionless in pipes for at least 6 hours to check for plumbing corrosion.

Private Well Water Testing Checklist

  • •Private wells in AZ are not monitored by the EPA or Arizona Department of Environmental Quality — testing is 100% the homeowner's responsibility.
  • •Annual Test: Screen for Total Coliform Bacteria, E. coli, Nitrates/Nitrites, and pH every spring.
  • •Comprehensive Test (Every 3-5 Years): Test for heavy metals (Lead, Arsenic, Uranium), Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), and Hardness.
  • •Post-Disruption Testing: Immediately test well water following heavy floods, local construction, agricultural runoff, or sudden taste/odor changes.

Critical Water Testing Parameters for Phoenix Residents

ParameterHealth ReasonEPA Limit / Standard
Lead (Pb)Plumbing corrosion; dangerous neurotoxin for children15 ppb (Action Level) / 0 ppb Goal
Total Coliform & E. ColiBacterial contamination from sewage or surface runoff0 mg/L (Zero Tolerance)
Nitrates / NitritesFertilizer and septic tank seepage; causes blue baby syndrome10 mg/L (MCL)
Water Hardness (Ca & Mg)Affects appliance lifespan, scale buildup, and skin hydrationModerate (~100 mg/L)
PFAS ("Forever Chemicals")Industrial non-stick chemicals linked to metabolic and immune issues4.0 ppt (EPA 2024 Rule)
State Regulatory Oversight: Environmental standards and certified water lab registries in AZ are maintained by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.

Health-Based Contaminant Violations in Phoenix

EPA records indicate that the following contaminants have exceeded Safe Drinking Water Act Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) in Phoenix water systems over the past 5 years.

Consumer Confidence Report RuleStage 2 DBP RuleFecal ColiformChloriteContaminant 0700

Note: The presence of a past violation does not necessarily mean current water is unsafe. Utilities are required to take corrective action. Review your Consumer Confidence Report for the latest status.

Water Quality by ZIP Code — Phoenix, AZ

Showing 78 of 78 monitored ZIP codes in Phoenix

C
85001

Phoenix, AZ

Score: 58/10019 violations
C
85003

Phoenix, AZ

Score: 58/10019 violations
C
85004

Phoenix, AZ

Score: 58/10019 violations
C
85005

Phoenix, AZ

Score: 58/10019 violations
C
85006

Phoenix, AZ

Score: 58/10019 violations
C
85027

Phoenix, AZ

Score: 58/10019 violations
C
85028

Phoenix, AZ

Score: 58/10019 violations
C
85030

Phoenix, AZ

Score: 58/10019 violations
C
85035

Phoenix, AZ

Score: 58/10019 violations
C
85036

Phoenix, AZ

Score: 58/10019 violations
C
85037

Phoenix, AZ

Score: 58/10019 violations
C
85040

Phoenix, AZ

Score: 58/10019 violations
C
85042

Phoenix, AZ

Score: 58/10019 violations
C
85043

Phoenix, AZ

Score: 58/10019 violations
C
85044

Phoenix, AZ

Score: 58/10019 violations
C
85048

Phoenix, AZ

Score: 58/10019 violations
C
85050

Phoenix, AZ

Score: 58/10019 violations
C
85054

Phoenix, AZ

Score: 58/10019 violations
C
85060

Phoenix, AZ

Score: 58/10019 violations
C
85061

Phoenix, AZ

Score: 58/10019 violations
C
85064

Phoenix, AZ

Score: 58/10019 violations
C
85067

Phoenix, AZ

Score: 58/10019 violations
C
85083

Phoenix, AZ

Score: 58/10019 violations
C
85085

Phoenix, AZ

Score: 58/10019 violations

All Phoenix, AZ ZIP Code Reports (78 Total)

850018500385004850058500685027850288503085035850368503785040850428504385044850488505085054850608506185064850678508385085850078500985012850178501985022850238502985032850338503485041850518508685002850108501185024850258502685038850398504585046850538505585062850638506585066850688506985070850718507285073850748507585076850788507985080850828509785098850088501385014850158501685018850208502185031

Nearby Cities Water Quality & Testing in Arizona

Compare tap water safety, EPA test scores, and water hardness across neighboring cities in Arizona:

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Arizona City, AZ2 ZIP codes
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Frequently Asked Questions — Phoenix Water Quality & Testing

Is tap water safe to drink in Phoenix, AZ?+
Tap water in Phoenix has a grade of D, indicating compliance concerns in recent years. Families with young children or pregnant women should consider using a certified NSF/ANSI 53 water filter for drinking and cooking.
How do I test water quality in Phoenix, AZ?+
To test water quality in Phoenix, you can order an EPA-compliant drinking water test kit or submit samples to a state-certified environmental testing laboratory in AZ. Testing is especially recommended for homes built before 1986 (to check for lead in plumbing) and for properties with private well systems.
Should I test private well water in Phoenix?+
Yes. Unlike municipal tap water, private wells in Phoenix, AZ are not monitored or regulated by the EPA or local utilities. Private well owners are responsible for testing their water annually for coliform bacteria and nitrates, and every 3 to 5 years for heavy metals (lead, arsenic) and volatile organic compounds.
How hard is the tap water in Phoenix?+
Tap water in Phoenix is classified as Moderately Hard with an estimated average hardness of 105 mg/L (6.1 GPG). A water softener is generally optional.
What is the water quality score for Phoenix?+
The average water quality score across 78 ZIP codes in Phoenix, AZ is 53/100. Scores are derived from EPA violation history, lead levels, enforcement actions, and infrastructure risk indicators. Individual ZIP codes may vary — search your specific ZIP above for a personalized report.
Does Phoenix have lead in its tap water?+
22 out of 78 ZIP codes in Phoenix are rated High or Very High for lead exposure risk. Older homes built before 1986 may have lead service lines or plumbing fixtures. Residents should run their tap for 30 seconds before use and consider a certified NSF/ANSI 53 lead filter.
Where does Phoenix's tap water come from?+
Tap water in Phoenix, AZ primarily comes from surface water. Surface water systems treat water from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs using filtration, sedimentation, and disinfection before it reaches your tap.

Looking for water quality reports in other cities in Arizona?

View All Cities & ZIPs in Arizona