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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 MESA CITY OF • Updated September 2026
Grade C — based on EPA compliance records, lead testing and PFAS monitoring
MESA CITY OF has a mixed record — read the reasons below; the deductions come from real EPA violations, lead results or PFAS detections, not from a template.
Mesa, AZ tap water is legal to drink but grades C on EPA's records because of lead at 5 ppb (90th percentile) — under the 15 ppb action level but above 5 ppb and arsenic averaging 5 ug/l against a 10 ug/l limit in 2012–2019 samples (8 over the limit). A certified filter matched to those findings is a reasonable precaution.
Mesa, AZ tap water is legal to drink but grades C on EPA's records because of lead at 5 ppb (90th percentile) — under the 15 ppb action level but above 5 ppb and arsenic averaging 5 ug/l against a 10 ug/l limit in 2012–2019 samples (8 over the limit). A certified filter matched to those findings is a reasonable precaution.
MESA CITY OF's most recent Lead and Copper Rule result (2022-01-01 to 2024-12-31) was 5.01 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 (2023-02-28 to 2025-11-12) detected PFBS, PFHxA, PFHxS, all below federal MCLs. Reverse osmosis and certified activated-carbon filters reduce PFAS.
MESA CITY OF has 91 violations on file since 2016: 0 health-based in the last five years and 25 monitoring or reporting violations in that window. Monitoring violations are paperwork lapses, not measured contamination.
MESA CITY OF reports surface water as its primary source and serves about 466,000 people (EPA PWSID AZ0407095).
Optional but sensible. The findings on this page are below federal limits; an NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter handles lead, PFAS, arsenic and improves taste.
Want to know what's really in your Mesa tap water?
Lead was found at 5 ppb (90th percentile) in Mesa's latest tap sampling — below the action level, but there is no safe level of lead.
Tap Score certified lab · Amazon. We may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
MESA 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 25 violations on file in that window are monitoring or reporting paperwork issues, not measured contaminant exceedances.
| Violation | Category | Compliance period | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monitoring, Routine (RTCR)Revised Total Coliform Rule | Monitoring | 2025-08-01 → 2025-08-31 | Resolvedreturned 2025-08-31 |
| Monitoring and Reporting (DBP)Bromate | Monitoring & reporting | 2025-03-01 → 2025-03-31 | Resolvedreturned 2025-03-31 |
| Monitoring and Reporting (DBP)Bromate | Monitoring & reporting | 2025-02-01 → 2025-02-28 | Resolvedreturned 2025-02-28 |
| Monitoring, Regular1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene | Monitoring & reporting | 2023-01-01 → 2023-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2023-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularDICHLOROMETHANE | Monitoring & reporting | 2023-01-01 → 2023-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2023-12-31 |
| Monitoring, Regularp-Dichlorobenzene | Monitoring & reporting | 2023-01-01 → 2023-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2023-12-31 |
| Monitoring, Regular1,1-Dichloroethylene | Monitoring & reporting | 2023-01-01 → 2023-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2023-12-31 |
| Monitoring, Regulartrans-1,2-Dichloroethylene | Monitoring & reporting | 2023-01-01 → 2023-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2023-12-31 |
| Monitoring, Regular1,1,1-Trichloroethane | Monitoring & reporting | 2023-01-01 → 2023-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2023-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularTrichloroethylene | Monitoring & reporting | 2023-01-01 → 2023-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2023-12-31 |
| Monitoring, Regular1,1,2-Trichloroethane | Monitoring & reporting | 2023-01-01 → 2023-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2023-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularTetrachloroethylene | Monitoring & reporting | 2023-01-01 → 2023-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2023-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularCHLOROBENZENE | Monitoring & reporting | 2023-01-01 → 2023-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2023-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularBenzene | Monitoring & reporting | 2023-01-01 → 2023-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2023-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularToluene | Monitoring & reporting | 2023-01-01 → 2023-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2023-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularDi(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate | Monitoring & reporting | 2023-01-01 → 2023-03-31 | Resolvedreturned 2023-03-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularXylenes, Total | Monitoring & reporting | 2023-01-01 → 2023-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2023-12-31 |
| Monitoring, Regular1,2-Dichloropropane | Monitoring & reporting | 2023-01-01 → 2023-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2023-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularStyrene | Monitoring & reporting | 2023-01-01 → 2023-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2023-12-31 |
| Monitoring, Regular1,2-Dichloroethane | Monitoring & reporting | 2023-01-01 → 2023-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2023-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularEthylbenzene | Monitoring & reporting | 2023-01-01 → 2023-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2023-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularCarbon tetrachloride | Monitoring & reporting | 2023-01-01 → 2023-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2023-12-31 |
| Monitoring, Regularcis-1,2-Dichloroethylene | Monitoring & reporting | 2023-01-01 → 2023-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2023-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularVinyl chloride | Monitoring & reporting | 2023-01-01 → 2023-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2023-12-31 |
| Monitoring, Regularo-Dichlorobenzene | Monitoring & reporting | 2023-01-01 → 2023-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2023-12-31 |
Showing 25 of 91 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 MESA CITY OF
Below the action level, but detectable. In the most recent monitoring period on file (2022-01-01 to 2024-12-31), 90% of the homes MESA CITY OF sampled had lead at or below 5.01 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-01-01 → 2024-12-31 | 5.01 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
| 2019-01-01 → 2021-12-31 | 3.9 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2016-01-01 → 2018-12-31 | 3.67 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2013-01-01 → 2015-12-31 | 4.24 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2010-01-01 → 2012-12-31 | 5 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
| 2009-01-01 → 2011-12-31 | 7 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
| 2007-01-01 → 2009-12-31 | 7 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
| 2006-01-01 → 2008-12-31 | 4 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2006-01-01 → 2006-12-31 | 4 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2003-01-01 → 2003-12-31 | 8 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
| 2003-01-01 → 2003-12-31 | 7 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
| 1992-07-01 → 1992-12-31 | 8.4 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, 2023-02-28 to 2025-11-12 · 2,030 PFAS results at entry points to the distribution system
PFBS, PFHxA, PFHxS 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 / 70 | < 4 | 4 ppt | 4 ppt |
| PFOS | 0 / 70 | < 4 | 4 ppt | 4 ppt |
| PFHxS | 4 / 70 | 9.3 | 3 ppt | 10 ppt |
| PFNA | 0 / 70 | < 4 | 4 ppt | 10 ppt |
| HFPO-DA | 0 / 70 | < 5 | 5 ppt | 10 ppt |
| PFBS | 10 / 70 | 15.2 | 3 ppt | hazard index only |
| PFHxA | 1 / 70 | 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 70 of 70 samples, max 525 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 MESA CITY OF · finished water only · dated data, released 2024
These are the regulated-contaminant samples MESA CITY OF reported to its state between 2012 and 2019 — the most recent nationwide sample-level dataset EPA has published. Arsenic, Total trihalomethanes (TTHM) are flagged below; the status column explains why. Treat this as history, not today's tap water.
| Contaminant | Samples | Average | Max | EPA limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic | 135128 detects | 5.022 µg/L | 13 µg/L | 10 µg/LMCL | 8 of 135 samples over MCL |
| Nitrate (as N) | 260254 detects | 2.29 mg/L | 7.56 mg/L | 10 mg/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Fluoride | 11090 detects | 0.389 mg/L | 1.187 mg/L | 4 mg/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Chromium (total) | 112103 detects | 7.867 µg/L | 23 µg/L | 100 µg/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Radium-226/228 | 1085 detects | 0.037 pCi/L | 1.5 pCi/L | 5 pCi/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Gross alpha | 1 | 0.8 pCi/L | 0.8 pCi/L | 15 pCi/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHM) | 371366 detects | 44.346 µg/L | 104 µg/L | 80 µg/LMCL (LRAA) | 15 single samples over MCL; average within limit |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) | 372341 detects | 14.857 µg/L | 44 µg/L | 60 µg/LMCL (LRAA) | Within MCL |
| Lead (tap samples) | 15473 detects | 1.865 µg/L | 41.7 µg/L | 15 µg/Laction level (90th percentile) | Reported, not scored (compliance is on the 90th percentile) |
| Copper (tap samples) | 154 | 64.944 µg/L | 381 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 Mesa will follow up - no obligation.
MESA CITY OF · 170,966 service lines inventoried · Q2 2026 snapshot
MESA CITY OF reports 74 service lines that are lead or galvanized-requiring-replacement (<0.1% of the lines it has inventoried), plus 22,430 lines whose material is still unknown. A lead service line is the pipe between the water main and a building, so treated water can pick up lead after it leaves the plant — which city-level testing does not capture. Under EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, utilities must replace lead lines within 10 years starting in 2027.
Source: EPA SDWIS Service Line Inventory (Q2 2026) · PWS ID AZ0407095 · 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 Mesa 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 Mesa 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 Mesa 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 Mesa residents measured at their own tap (ZIPs 85201, 85202, 85203, 85204 +10 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 Mesa 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.
Mesa ranks #28 of 37 graded Arizona cities.
Deep-dive guides for the specific contaminants EPA data flagged in Mesa's water, with removal options for each.
Mesa, AZ tap water is legal to drink but grades C on EPA's records because of lead at 5 ppb (90th percentile) — under the 15 ppb action level but above 5 ppb and arsenic averaging 5 ug/l against a 10 ug/l limit in 2012–2019 samples (8 over the limit). A certified filter matched to those findings is a reasonable precaution.
MESA CITY OF's most recent Lead and Copper Rule result (2022-01-01 to 2024-12-31) was 5.01 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 (2023-02-28 to 2025-11-12) detected PFBS, PFHxA, PFHxS, all below federal MCLs. Reverse osmosis and certified activated-carbon filters reduce PFAS.
MESA CITY OF has 91 violations on file since 2016: 0 health-based in the last five years and 25 monitoring or reporting violations in that window. Monitoring violations are paperwork lapses, not measured contamination.
MESA CITY OF reports surface water as its primary source and serves about 466,000 people (EPA PWSID AZ0407095).
Optional but sensible. The findings on this page are below federal limits; an NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter handles lead, PFAS, arsenic and improves taste.
Lead was found at 5 ppb (90th percentile) in Mesa's latest tap sampling — below the action level, but there is no safe level of lead.
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Based on contaminants detected in your water, these resources may be helpful:
Find the right filter for your Mesa water quality needs:
Tap water is one piece of the picture — our sister sites cover the rest for Mesa, AZ.
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