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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.
EPA records for SCOTTSDALE CITY OF • Updated September 2026
Grade A — based on EPA compliance records, lead testing and PFAS monitoring
SCOTTSDALE CITY OF has a clean recent record: no health-based violations in the last five years and no lead, PFAS or historical monitoring result that costs it more than a few points.
Yes — by EPA's records Scottsdale, AZ tap water is safe to drink and earns an A. The grade rests on low-level PFAS (PFBS) detected below federal limits. Lead from your own service line or plumbing is the main risk city-level data cannot see, so homes built before 1986 should still test at the tap.
Yes — by EPA's records Scottsdale, AZ tap water is safe to drink and earns an A. The grade rests on low-level PFAS (PFBS) detected below federal limits. Lead from your own service line or plumbing is the main risk city-level data cannot see, so homes built before 1986 should still test at the tap.
SCOTTSDALE CITY OF's most recent Lead and Copper Rule result (2021-01-01 to 2023-12-31) was 2.3 ppb at the 90th percentile, below EPA's 15 ppb action level. Because lead usually comes from service lines and household plumbing, homes built before 1986 should still test at the tap.
Yes. EPA's UCMR5 sampling (2025-01-13 to 2025-12-01) detected PFBS, all below federal MCLs. Reverse osmosis and certified activated-carbon filters reduce PFAS.
SCOTTSDALE CITY OF has 17 violations on file since 2016: 0 health-based in the last five years and 4 monitoring or reporting violations in that window. Monitoring violations are paperwork lapses, not measured contamination.
SCOTTSDALE CITY OF reports surface water as its primary source and serves about 241,361 people (EPA PWSID AZ0407098).
Optional but sensible. The findings on this page are below federal limits; an NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter handles PFAS and improves taste.
Compare filter options for your Scottsdale tap water
PFBS were detected in Scottsdale's water at low levels in 2023–2025 EPA monitoring.
Unsure which contaminants to treat? Compare home kits and certified lab testing before buying.
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SCOTTSDALE CITY OF · SDWIS records since 2016 · 5-year window starts 2021-09-13
EPA records no health-based violations for this system in the last five years. The 4 violations on file in that window are monitoring or reporting paperwork issues, not measured contaminant exceedances.
| Violation | Category | Compliance period | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monitoring and Reporting (DBP)CARBON, TOTAL | Monitoring & reporting | 2025-03-01 → 2025-03-31 | Resolvedreturned 2025-03-31 |
| Monitoring, Regular2,4-D | Monitoring & reporting | 2025-01-01 → 2025-12-31 | Archived |
| Monitoring and Reporting (DBP)CARBON, TOTAL | Monitoring & reporting | 2024-07-01 → 2024-07-31 | Resolvedreturned 2024-07-31 |
| Monitoring and Reporting (DBP)CARBON, TOTAL | Monitoring & reporting | 2023-07-01 → 2023-09-30 | Resolvedreturned 2023-09-30 |
| Monitoring of Treatment (SWTR-Filter)Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring & reporting | 2021-05-01 → 2021-05-31 | Resolvedreturned 2021-05-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularChromium | Monitoring & reporting | 2019-01-01 → 2019-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2019-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularThallium, Total | Monitoring & reporting | 2019-01-01 → 2019-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2019-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularNickel | Monitoring & reporting | 2019-01-01 → 2019-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2019-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularBarium | Monitoring & reporting | 2019-01-01 → 2019-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2019-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularSelenium | Monitoring & reporting | 2019-01-01 → 2019-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2019-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularCadmium | Monitoring & reporting | 2019-01-01 → 2019-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2019-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularBeryllium, Total | Monitoring & reporting | 2019-01-01 → 2019-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2019-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularAntimony, Total | Monitoring & reporting | 2019-01-01 → 2019-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2019-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularCYANIDE | Monitoring & reporting | 2019-01-01 → 2019-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2019-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularFluoride | Monitoring & reporting | 2019-01-01 → 2019-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2019-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularMercury | Monitoring & reporting | 2019-01-01 → 2019-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2019-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularNickel | Monitoring & reporting | 2017-01-01 → 2019-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2019-12-31 |
Source: ECHO SDWA bulk download (SDWA_VIOLATIONS_ENFORCEMENT.csv, SDWIS 2026Q2, file dated 2026-07-09, fetched 2026-09-13)
EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile results reported by SCOTTSDALE CITY OF
Well below the 15 ppb action level. In the most recent monitoring period on file (2021-01-01 to 2023-12-31), 90% of the homes SCOTTSDALE CITY OF sampled had lead at or below 2.3 ppb.
EPA's action level is 15 ppb (dropping to 10 ppb under the 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Improvements). There is no safe level of lead; the 90th-percentile figure describes the system, not your tap — homes with lead service lines or pre-1986 plumbing can be higher.
| Monitoring period | Lead 90th percentile | vs 15 ppb action level |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-01-01 → 2023-12-31 | 2.3 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2018-01-01 → 2020-12-31 | 5 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
| 2015-01-01 → 2017-12-31 | 1.7 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2012-01-01 → 2014-12-31 | 1.6 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2009-01-01 → 2011-12-31 | 2 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2008-01-01 → 2010-12-31 | 1.9 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2005-01-01 → 2007-12-31 | 4.8 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2002-01-01 → 2002-12-31 | 2 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2002-01-01 → 2002-12-31 | 1.7 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 1992-07-01 → 1992-12-31 | 6 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
| 1992-01-01 → 1992-06-30 | 7 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
Source: ECHO SDWA bulk download (SDWA_LCR_SAMPLES.csv, SDWIS 2026Q2, file dated 2026-07-09, fetched 2026-09-13)
EPA UCMR5 monitoring, 2025-01-13 to 2025-12-01 · 522 PFAS results at entry points to the distribution system
PFBS detected at low levels; no compound was at or above its federal MCL. Detections below the MCL are common in surface-water systems and are reported here exactly as EPA published them.
| Compound | Detects / samples | Max (ppt) | Reporting limit | EPA MCL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFOA | 0 / 18 | < 4 | 4 ppt | 4 ppt |
| PFOS | 0 / 18 | < 4 | 4 ppt | 4 ppt |
| PFHxS | 0 / 18 | < 3 | 3 ppt | 10 ppt |
| PFNA | 0 / 18 | < 4 | 4 ppt | 10 ppt |
| HFPO-DA | 0 / 18 | < 5 | 5 ppt | 10 ppt |
| PFBS | 1 / 18 | 3.2 | 3 ppt | hazard index only |
“< 4 ppt” means below the laboratory reporting limit, not zero. ppt = parts per trillion (ng/L). Results are for finished water leaving the treatment plant.
Lithium (also monitored under UCMR5, not a PFAS): detected in 18 of 18 samples, max 90.4 µg/L. There is no federal limit for lithium.
What PFAS are and how to remove them → · Best filters for PFAS →
Source: UCMR5 occurrence data, EPA Data Summary July 2026 (UCMR5_All.txt)
EPA Six-Year Review 4 compliance samples for SCOTTSDALE CITY OF · finished water only · dated data, released 2024
These are the regulated-contaminant samples SCOTTSDALE CITY OF reported to its state between 2012 and 2019 — the most recent nationwide sample-level dataset EPA has published. Total trihalomethanes (TTHM) is flagged below; the status column explains why. Treat this as history, not today's tap water.
| Contaminant | Samples | Average | Max | EPA limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic | 207203 detects | 3.594 µg/L | 9.6 µg/L | 10 µg/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Nitrate (as N) | 158138 detects | 1.45 mg/L | 7 mg/L | 10 mg/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Fluoride | 4948 detects | 0.342 mg/L | 0.7 mg/L | 4 mg/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Chromium (total) | 4827 detects | 4.135 µg/L | 42.4 µg/L | 100 µg/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Uranium (combined) | 1816 detects | 2.407 µg/L | 5.2 µg/L | 30 µg/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Radium-226/228 | 171 detects | 0.041 pCi/L | 0.7 pCi/L | 5 pCi/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Gross alpha | 1813 detects | 0.85 pCi/L | 2.7 pCi/L | 15 pCi/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHM) | 268 | 48.183 µg/L | 102 µg/L | 80 µg/LMCL (LRAA) | 1 single sample over MCL; average within limit |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) | 268265 detects | 11.587 µg/L | 27.6 µg/L | 60 µg/LMCL (LRAA) | Within MCL |
| Lead (tap samples) | 12032 detects | 0.562 µg/L | 7.3 µg/L | 15 µg/Laction level (90th percentile) | Reported, not scored (compliance is on the 90th percentile) |
| Copper (tap samples) | 120 | 73.327 µg/L | 748 µg/L | 1300 µg/Laction level (90th percentile) | Reported, not scored (compliance is on the 90th percentile) |
Averages count non-detects as zero. TTHM and HAA5 limits are locational running annual averages, so a single high sample is not a violation — we grade those on the average only. Lead and copper rows are individual tap samples and are shown for context; compliance (and our score) uses the 90th-percentile result above. LRAA = locational running annual average; ND = not detected.
Source: SYR4 Six-Year Review compliance monitoring data 2012–2019 (released 2024-03)
A point-of-use (under-sink) system typically runs $200-$600 installed; whole-house treatment $1,000-$3,000+ depending on flow and what has to come out. Tell us where you are and a certified water-treatment installer serving Scottsdale will follow up - no obligation.
SCOTTSDALE CITY OF · 92,407 service lines inventoried · Q2 2026 snapshot
SCOTTSDALE CITY OF reports no lead or galvanized-requiring-replacement service lines and has classified 94% of its 92,407 lines as non-lead. Lead can still come from pre-1986 plumbing and fixtures inside a home.
Source: EPA SDWIS Service Line Inventory (Q2 2026) · PWS ID AZ0407098 · See all Arizona lead service lines. We may earn a commission from filters and test kits, at no extra cost to you.
Surface-water systems draw from rivers, lakes or reservoirs and must filter and disinfect, which is why disinfection byproducts (TTHM, HAA5) are the readings to watch.
How to test your tap water and the treatment options that actually fit Scottsdale homes
The most reliable way to know what is actually coming out of your tap is a certified mail-in lab test. City-wide EPA data (like the report above) reflects the water leaving the treatment plant, but contaminants such as lead and copper can be picked up from your own service line and household plumbing — so the water at your Scottsdale faucet can differ from the system average. A state-certified lab measures dozens of contaminants at once with results you can trust; you can also find one near you through the EPA's certified-lab list at epa.gov/dwlabcert. Hardware-store test strips are cheaper and instant, but they only screen for a few basics (chlorine, hardness, pH, and a rough lead pass/fail) and are far less accurate — treat them as a first look, not a diagnosis.
Match the treatment to what your test finds. Reverse osmosis (RO) removes the widest range of contaminants — lead, arsenic, nitrate, PFAS, and dissolved solids — which makes an under-sink reverse osmosis system the most thorough choice for Scottsdale households with heavy-metal or PFAS concerns. If your main issue is taste, odor, or chlorine, an activated carbon filter (pitcher, faucet, or under-sink) is simpler and cheaper and handles chlorine and many organic compounds well, though carbon alone does not remove arsenic, nitrate, or most PFAS. NSF-certified pitchers rated for lead reduction are the easiest way to start today while you decide on a permanent setup.
We may earn a commission from testing kits and filters purchased through these links, at no extra cost to you.
What Scottsdale residents measured at their own tap (ZIPs 85250, 85251, 85255, 85257 +5 more). All reader results →
Reader submissions are unverified and shown separately from EPA data. They reflect one tap on one day, not the utility's compliance record.
No reader results for Scottsdale yet - yours would be the first. A hardness or TDS number from a $10 strip kit is enough to start the map.
Help build the first reader-sourced water map. Enter whatever your test strip, TDS pen or lab report shows - one number is enough.
Scottsdale ranks #12 of 37 graded Arizona cities.
Deep-dive guides for the specific contaminants EPA data flagged in Scottsdale's water, with removal options for each.
Yes — by EPA's records Scottsdale, AZ tap water is safe to drink and earns an A. The grade rests on low-level PFAS (PFBS) detected below federal limits. Lead from your own service line or plumbing is the main risk city-level data cannot see, so homes built before 1986 should still test at the tap.
SCOTTSDALE CITY OF's most recent Lead and Copper Rule result (2021-01-01 to 2023-12-31) was 2.3 ppb at the 90th percentile, below EPA's 15 ppb action level. Because lead usually comes from service lines and household plumbing, homes built before 1986 should still test at the tap.
Yes. EPA's UCMR5 sampling (2025-01-13 to 2025-12-01) detected PFBS, all below federal MCLs. Reverse osmosis and certified activated-carbon filters reduce PFAS.
SCOTTSDALE CITY OF has 17 violations on file since 2016: 0 health-based in the last five years and 4 monitoring or reporting violations in that window. Monitoring violations are paperwork lapses, not measured contamination.
SCOTTSDALE CITY OF reports surface water as its primary source and serves about 241,361 people (EPA PWSID AZ0407098).
Optional but sensible. The findings on this page are below federal limits; an NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter handles PFAS and improves taste.
PFBS were detected in Scottsdale's water at low levels in 2023–2025 EPA monitoring.
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Reverse osmosis systems for PFAS
Reverse osmosis is the most thorough filtration class against PFAS — browse Waterdrop RO systems and check each model’s own tested claims.
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Whole-house system — treats every tap at the source
For consistently poor water, a whole-home system filters every faucet, shower, and appliance — the permanent, install-once fix that goes beyond a single point-of-use filter.
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Based on contaminants detected in your water, these resources may be helpful:
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