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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 nitrates for Arizona water systems — Six-Year Review compliance samples 2012–2019 (historical). Methodology
These cities have nitrates levels above 50% of the EPA limit but within compliance
Every Arizona system with a nitrates 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GoodyearGrade F | 7.02 mg/LAverage of 157 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 mg/L | 70.2% | Warning |
| FlorenceGrade B | 6.60 mg/LAverage of 44 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 mg/L | 66.0% | Warning |
| BuckeyeGrade A | 5.58 mg/LAverage of 113 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 mg/L | 55.8% | Warning |
| MaricopaGrade C | 5.27 mg/LAverage of 129 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 mg/L | 52.7% | Warning |
| AvondaleGrade D | 5.15 mg/LAverage of 174 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 mg/L | 51.5% | Warning |
| EloyGrade B | 5.11 mg/LAverage of 34 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 mg/L | 51.1% | Warning |
| Queen CreekGrade A | 4.44 mg/LAverage of 144 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 mg/L | 44.4% | Safe |
| TempeGrade C | 4.31 mg/LAverage of 153 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 mg/L | 43.1% | Safe |
| Paradise ValleyGrade A | 4.16 mg/LAverage of 15 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 mg/L | 41.6% | Safe |
| GilbertGrade D | 3.77 mg/LAverage of 247 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 mg/L | 37.7% | Safe |
| KingmanGrade A | 3.76 mg/LAverage of 204 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 mg/L | 37.6% | Safe |
| PeoriaGrade C | 3.68 mg/LAverage of 302 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 mg/L | 36.8% | Safe |
| Bullhead CityGrade F | 3.53 mg/LAverage of 66 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 mg/L | 35.3% | Safe |
| GlendaleGrade A | 3.48 mg/LAverage of 212 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 mg/L | 34.8% | Safe |
| ChandlerGrade B | 3.06 mg/LAverage of 425 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 mg/L | 30.6% | Safe |
| SurpriseGrade A | 2.79 mg/LAverage of 128 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 mg/L | 27.9% | Safe |
| El MirageGrade C | 2.73 mg/LAverage of 73 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 mg/L | 27.3% | Safe |
| MaranaGrade C | 2.66 mg/LAverage of 33 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 mg/L | 26.6% | Safe |
| MesaGrade C | 2.29 mg/LAverage of 260 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 mg/L | 22.9% | Safe |
| PhoenixGrade A | 2.27 mg/LAverage of 242 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 mg/L | 22.7% | Safe |
| TucsonGrade B | 1.87 mg/LAverage of 992 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 mg/L | 18.7% | Safe |
| Apache JunctionGrade A | 1.52 mg/LAverage of 16 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 mg/L | 15.3% | Safe |
| ScottsdaleGrade A | 1.45 mg/LAverage of 158 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 mg/L | 14.5% | Safe |
| SahuaritaGrade A | 1.42 mg/LAverage of 9 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 mg/L | 14.2% | Safe |
| PrescottGrade F | 1.40 mg/LAverage of 46 samples | 2012–2019 | 10.00 mg/L | 14.0% | Safe |
Showing 25 of 37 cities. View individual city pages for detailed reports.
Nitrates pose the greatest risk to infants under six months of age. High nitrate levels can cause methemoglobinemia, also known as "blue baby syndrome," which reduces the blood's oxygen-carrying capacity. Pregnant women are also at risk as nitrate exposure has been linked to neural tube defects, preterm birth, and low birth weight. IMPORTANT: Boiling water does NOT remove nitrates - it concentrates them.
Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks; erosion of natural deposits; agricultural runoff
Based on our analysis of EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) data and local water utility reports,nitrates has been detected in 37 Arizona water systems. The average level across all tested cities is 26% of the EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL), with the highest detection at 70.2% of the limit.
The EPA MCL for nitrate is 10 mg/L measured as nitrogen. The EPA MCL for nitrates is 10 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 nitrates detected in their water supply. All tested cities are within EPA safety limits.
Blue baby syndrome in infants, pregnancy complications, potential cancer risk. The most vulnerable groups include infants under 6 months and pregnant women.
The most effective methods for removing nitrates include Reverse Osmosis, Ion Exchange, Distillation. Look for filters certified by NSF/ANSI for nitrates reduction.
The EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for nitrates is 10 mg/L.The EPA MCL for nitrate is 10 mg/L measured as nitrogen.
This page shows what Arizona utilities reported for nitrates. 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 nitrates removal:
Removes 83-92% of nitrates
Specifically designed for nitrate removal
Effective but energy-intensive
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 nitrates.