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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 CITY OF SHOW LOW • Updated September 2026
Grade B — based on EPA compliance records, lead testing and PFAS monitoring
CITY OF SHOW LOW is in good standing with EPA, with only minor deductions for monitoring paperwork, low-level PFAS or historical readings near a limit.
Yes — by EPA's records Show Low, AZ tap water is safe to drink and earns a B. The grade rests on 1 health-based EPA violation in the last five years and arsenic averaging 7 ug/l against a 10 ug/l limit in 2012–2019 samples (8 over the limit). 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 Show Low, AZ tap water is safe to drink and earns a B. The grade rests on 1 health-based EPA violation in the last five years and arsenic averaging 7 ug/l against a 10 ug/l limit in 2012–2019 samples (8 over the limit). 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.
CITY OF SHOW LOW's most recent Lead and Copper Rule result (2023-01-01 to 2025-12-31) was 0 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.
No. None of the 580 UCMR5 PFAS results for CITY OF SHOW LOW (2024-03-06 to 2024-09-04) were at or above the reporting limit of roughly 3–5 ppt.
CITY OF SHOW LOW has 77 violations on file since 2016: 1 health-based in the last five years and 5 monitoring or reporting violations in that window. Monitoring violations are paperwork lapses, not measured contamination.
CITY OF SHOW LOW reports groundwater as its primary source and serves about 17,139 people (EPA PWSID AZ0409026).
We recommend one. Check which contaminant the violations involved (table above) and choose a filter certified for it.
Compare filter options for your Show Low tap water
CITY OF SHOW LOW has 1 health-based EPA violation in the last five years.
Unsure which contaminants to treat? Compare home kits and certified lab testing before buying.
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CITY OF SHOW LOW · SDWIS records since 2016 · 5-year window starts 2021-09-13
EPA records 1 health-based violation for this system in the last five years, all of which are marked resolved or archived. Health-based violations mean a contaminant exceeded its Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) or a required treatment step was not met.
| Violation | Category | Compliance period | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Failure To Address DeficiencyGroundwater Rule | Treatment technique | 2021-11-12 | Resolvedreturned 2022-01-14 |
| Lead Consumer NoticeLead and Copper Rule | Monitoring & reporting | 2023-01-01 | Resolvedreturned 2022-08-17 |
| Monitoring, RegularPentachlorophenol | Monitoring & reporting | 2022-01-01 → 2024-12-31 | Archived |
| Monitoring, RegularCarbofuran | Monitoring & reporting | 2022-01-01 → 2024-12-31 | Archived |
| Monitoring, RegularOXAMYL | Monitoring & reporting | 2022-01-01 → 2024-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2024-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularCarbofuran | Monitoring & reporting | 2022-01-01 → 2024-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2024-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularArsenic | Monitoring & reporting | 2020-07-01 → 2020-09-30 | Resolvedreturned 2020-09-30 |
| Monitoring, RegularNitrate | Monitoring & reporting | 2019-01-01 → 2019-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2019-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularNitrate | Monitoring & reporting | 2019-01-01 → 2019-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2019-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularNitrate | Monitoring & reporting | 2019-01-01 → 2019-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2019-12-31 |
| Monitoring, Regular1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene | Monitoring & reporting | 2019-01-01 → 2019-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2019-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularDICHLOROMETHANE | Monitoring & reporting | 2019-01-01 → 2019-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2019-12-31 |
| Monitoring, Regularo-Dichlorobenzene | Monitoring & reporting | 2019-01-01 → 2019-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2019-12-31 |
| Monitoring, Regularp-Dichlorobenzene | Monitoring & reporting | 2019-01-01 → 2019-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2019-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularVinyl chloride | Monitoring & reporting | 2019-01-01 → 2019-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2019-12-31 |
| Monitoring, Regular1,1-Dichloroethylene | Monitoring & reporting | 2019-01-01 → 2019-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2019-12-31 |
| Monitoring, Regular1,1,1-Trichloroethane | Monitoring & reporting | 2019-01-01 → 2019-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2019-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularCarbon tetrachloride | Monitoring & reporting | 2019-01-01 → 2019-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2019-12-31 |
| Monitoring, Regular1,2-Dichloropropane | Monitoring & reporting | 2019-01-01 → 2019-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2019-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularTetrachloroethylene | Monitoring & reporting | 2019-01-01 → 2019-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2019-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularBenzene | Monitoring & reporting | 2019-01-01 → 2019-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2019-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularToluene | Monitoring & reporting | 2019-01-01 → 2019-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2019-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularStyrene | Monitoring & reporting | 2019-01-01 → 2019-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2019-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularCombined Uranium | Monitoring & reporting | 2019-01-01 → 2024-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2024-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularCombined Radium (-226 and -228) | Monitoring & reporting | 2019-01-01 → 2024-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2024-12-31 |
Showing 25 of 77 violations on file. Full record on EPA ECHO.
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 CITY OF SHOW LOW
Well below the 15 ppb action level. In the most recent monitoring period on file (2023-01-01 to 2025-12-31), 90% of the homes CITY OF SHOW LOW sampled had lead at or below 0 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2023-01-01 → 2025-12-31 | 0 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2020-01-01 → 2022-12-31 | 0 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2017-01-01 → 2019-12-31 | 6.2 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
| 2016-01-01 → 2018-12-31 | 4 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2013-01-01 → 2015-12-31 | 4 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2012-01-01 → 2014-12-31 | 4 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2011-01-01 → 2013-12-31 | 4 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2010-01-01 → 2012-12-31 | 3.8 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2009-01-01 → 2011-12-31 | 3.8 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2007-01-01 → 2009-12-31 | 6.9 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
| 2004-01-01 → 2006-12-31 | 7 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
| 2002-01-01 → 2004-12-31 | 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, 2024-03-06 to 2024-09-04 · 580 PFAS results at entry points to the distribution system
No PFAS detected. None of the 580 UCMR5 PFAS results for CITY OF SHOW LOW were at or above the method reporting limit. Reporting limits are about 3–5 ppt, so “not detected” means below that threshold — not proven zero.
| Compound | Detects / samples | Max (ppt) | Reporting limit | EPA MCL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFOA | 0 / 20 | < 4 | 4 ppt | 4 ppt |
| PFOS | 0 / 20 | < 4 | 4 ppt | 4 ppt |
| PFHxS | 0 / 20 | < 3 | 3 ppt | 10 ppt |
| PFNA | 0 / 20 | < 4 | 4 ppt | 10 ppt |
| HFPO-DA | 0 / 20 | < 5 | 5 ppt | 10 ppt |
| PFBS | 0 / 20 | < 3 | 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 17 of 20 samples, max 18.4 µg/L. There is no federal limit for lithium.
What PFAS are and how to remove them →
Source: UCMR5 occurrence data, EPA Data Summary July 2026 (UCMR5_All.txt)
EPA Six-Year Review 4 compliance samples for CITY OF SHOW LOW · finished water only · dated data, released 2024
These are the regulated-contaminant samples CITY OF SHOW LOW reported to its state between 2012 and 2019 — the most recent nationwide sample-level dataset EPA has published. Arsenic 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 | 176 | 6.975 µg/L | 14 µg/L | 10 µg/LMCL | 8 of 176 samples over MCL |
| Nitrate (as N) | 854 detects | 0.006 mg/L | 0.21 mg/L | 10 mg/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Fluoride | 2219 detects | 0.122 mg/L | 0.18 mg/L | 4 mg/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Chromium (total) | 210 detects | 0 µg/L | ND | 100 µg/LMCL | Not detected |
| Radium-226/228 | 153 detects | 0.3 pCi/L | 2.9 pCi/L | 5 pCi/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHM) | 387 detects | 0.279 µg/L | 1.8 µg/L | 80 µg/LMCL (LRAA) | Within MCL |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) | 380 detects | 0 µg/L | ND | 60 µg/LMCL (LRAA) | Within MCL |
| Lead (tap samples) | 8043 detects | 1.886 µg/L | 29 µg/L | 15 µg/Laction level (90th percentile) | Reported, not scored (compliance is on the 90th percentile) |
| Copper (tap samples) | 8079 detects | 370.1 µg/L | 15000 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 Show Low will follow up - no obligation.
CITY OF SHOW LOW · 10,698 service lines inventoried · Q2 2026 snapshot
CITY OF SHOW LOW reports no lead or galvanized-requiring-replacement service lines and has classified 100% of its 10,698 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 AZ0409026 · See all Arizona lead service lines. We may earn a commission from filters and test kits, at no extra cost to you.
Groundwater systems draw from wells; naturally occurring arsenic, nitrate, radium and uranium are the readings to watch, along with PFAS near industrial or military sites.
How to test your tap water and the treatment options that actually fit Show Low 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 Show Low 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 Show Low 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 Show Low residents measured at their own tap (ZIPs 85901). 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 Show Low 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.
Show Low ranks #21 of 37 graded Arizona cities.
Deep-dive guides for the specific contaminants EPA data flagged in Show Low's water, with removal options for each.
Yes — by EPA's records Show Low, AZ tap water is safe to drink and earns a B. The grade rests on 1 health-based EPA violation in the last five years and arsenic averaging 7 ug/l against a 10 ug/l limit in 2012–2019 samples (8 over the limit). 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.
CITY OF SHOW LOW's most recent Lead and Copper Rule result (2023-01-01 to 2025-12-31) was 0 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.
No. None of the 580 UCMR5 PFAS results for CITY OF SHOW LOW (2024-03-06 to 2024-09-04) were at or above the reporting limit of roughly 3–5 ppt.
CITY OF SHOW LOW has 77 violations on file since 2016: 1 health-based in the last five years and 5 monitoring or reporting violations in that window. Monitoring violations are paperwork lapses, not measured contamination.
CITY OF SHOW LOW reports groundwater as its primary source and serves about 17,139 people (EPA PWSID AZ0409026).
We recommend one. Check which contaminant the violations involved (table above) and choose a filter certified for it.
CITY OF SHOW LOW has 1 health-based EPA violation in the last five years.
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Filters rated for arsenic reduction
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Based on contaminants detected in your water, these resources may be helpful:
Find the right filter for your Show Low water quality needs:
Tap water is one piece of the picture — our sister sites cover the rest for Show Low, AZ.
County radon prediction and EPA zone for homes around Show Low.
Arsenic and nitrate risk for homes on a well instead of city water.
Understand your water better with our in-depth guides on contaminants, filtration, and water safety.