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Not health advice. Contact your local water utility for concerns.
Data from EPA Water Quality Reports. For official information, contact your water utility or health department.
Real EPA measurements of arsenic for Arizona water systems — Six-Year Review compliance samples 2012–2019 (historical). Methodology
These cities have arsenic levels above 50% of the EPA limit but within compliance
| City | Level | % of Limit | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sahuarita | 8.19 ug/L | 81.9% | 18,178 |
| El Mirage | 7.86 ug/L | 78.6% | 39,884 |
| Paradise Valley | 7.63 ug/L | 76.3% | 14,107 |
| Maricopa | 7.31 ug/L | 73.1% | 84,000 |
| Show Low | 6.97 ug/L | 69.8% | 17,139 |
| Goodyear | 6.55 ug/L | 65.5% | 50,001 |
| Apache Junction | 6.38 ug/L | 63.8% | 62,055 |
| Prescott Valley | 6.05 ug/L | 60.5% | 57,048 |
| Gilbert | 5.84 ug/L | 58.4% | 247,600 |
| Nogales | 5.83 ug/L | 58.3% | 22,000 |
Showing 10 of 18 cities with elevated levels
Every Arizona system with a arsenic result in EPA's data, sorted by level. Averages of 2012–2019 finished-water samples, non-detects counted as zero — historical, not today's tap.
| City | Level | Period | EPA Limit | % of Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SahuaritaGrade A | 8.19 ug/LAverage of 35 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 ug/L | 81.9% | Warning |
| El MirageGrade C | 7.86 ug/LAverage of 49 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 ug/L | 78.6% | Warning |
| Paradise ValleyGrade A | 7.63 ug/LAverage of 33 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 ug/L | 76.3% | Warning |
| MaricopaGrade C | 7.31 ug/LAverage of 129 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 ug/L | 73.1% | Warning |
| Show LowGrade B | 6.97 ug/LAverage of 176 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 ug/L | 69.8% | Warning |
| GoodyearGrade F | 6.55 ug/LAverage of 106 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 ug/L | 65.5% | Warning |
| Apache JunctionGrade A | 6.38 ug/LAverage of 65 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 ug/L | 63.8% | Warning |
| Prescott ValleyGrade B | 6.05 ug/LAverage of 42 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 ug/L | 60.5% | Warning |
| GilbertGrade D | 5.84 ug/LAverage of 203 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 ug/L | 58.4% | Warning |
| NogalesGrade D | 5.83 ug/LAverage of 80 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 ug/L | 58.3% | Warning |
| SurpriseGrade A | 5.59 ug/LAverage of 128 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 ug/L | 55.9% | Warning |
| BuckeyeGrade A | 5.53 ug/LAverage of 151 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 ug/L | 55.3% | Warning |
| PrescottGrade F | 5.50 ug/LAverage of 76 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 ug/L | 55.0% | Warning |
| PeoriaGrade C | 5.45 ug/LAverage of 274 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 ug/L | 54.5% | Warning |
| Lake Havasu CityGrade A | 5.34 ug/LAverage of 35 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 ug/L | 53.4% | Warning |
| ChandlerGrade B | 5.24 ug/LAverage of 267 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 ug/L | 52.4% | Warning |
| PhoenixGrade A | 5.10 ug/LAverage of 464 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 ug/L | 51.0% | Warning |
| MesaGrade C | 5.02 ug/LAverage of 135 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 ug/L | 50.2% | Warning |
| CottonwoodGrade A | 4.74 ug/LAverage of 158 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 ug/L | 47.4% | Safe |
| AvondaleGrade D | 4.59 ug/LAverage of 96 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 ug/L | 45.9% | Safe |
| EloyGrade B | 3.63 ug/LAverage of 41 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 ug/L | 36.3% | Safe |
| ScottsdaleGrade A | 3.59 ug/LAverage of 207 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 ug/L | 35.9% | Safe |
| TempeGrade C | 3.43 ug/LAverage of 94 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 ug/L | 34.3% | Safe |
| DouglasGrade A | 3.38 ug/LAverage of 17 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 ug/L | 33.8% | Safe |
| GlendaleGrade A | 3.21 ug/LAverage of 87 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 ug/L | 32.1% | Safe |
Showing 25 of 37 cities. View individual city pages for detailed reports.
Arsenic is a known human carcinogen linked to cancers of the skin, bladder, lung, kidney, and liver. Long-term exposure can cause skin damage including color changes and lesions. Arsenic exposure is associated with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and neurological effects. Studies have shown links between arsenic exposure and developmental effects in children, including reduced IQ and learning disabilities.
Erosion of natural deposits in the earth; runoff from orchards; discharge from glass and petroleum refineries
Based on our analysis of EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) data and local water utility reports,arsenic has been detected in 37 Arizona water systems. The average level across all tested cities is 43% of the EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL), with the highest detection at 81.9% of the limit.
The EPA set the arsenic MCL at 0.010 mg/L (10 ppb) in 2001. The EPA MCL for arsenic is 0.01 mg/L. This limit is set to protect public health based on available scientific evidence about the contaminant's health effects.
37 Arizona cities have arsenic detected in their water supply. All tested cities are within EPA safety limits.
Increased cancer risk (skin, bladder, lung), skin damage, cardiovascular disease, diabetes. The most vulnerable groups include children and people with cardiovascular conditions.
The most effective methods for removing arsenic include Reverse Osmosis, Adsorption Media (Iron-Based), Distillation. Look for filters certified by NSF/ANSI for arsenic reduction.
The EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for arsenic is 0.01 mg/L.The EPA set the arsenic MCL at 0.010 mg/L (10 ppb) in 2001.
This page shows what Arizona utilities reported for arsenic. It cannot tell you what is coming out of your own tap: utility samples are taken across a whole system and averaged, levels vary by address and season, and anything picked up after the water leaves the main never appears in their report.
Home water test kitscheck your own tap before buying any filterRecommended filtration methods for arsenic removal:
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Paid links. We earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you. Filters are matched to the removal methods listed above for arsenic.