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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 TUCSON CITY OF • Updated September 2026
Grade B — based on EPA compliance records, lead testing and PFAS monitoring
TUCSON CITY OF 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 Tucson, AZ tap water is safe to drink and earns a B. The grade rests on low-level PFAS (PFBA) 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 Tucson, AZ tap water is safe to drink and earns a B. The grade rests on low-level PFAS (PFBA) 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.
TUCSON CITY OF's most recent Lead and Copper Rule result (2021-01-01 to 2023-12-31) was 0.65 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 (2024-01-10 to 2025-11-04) detected PFBA, all below federal MCLs. Reverse osmosis and certified activated-carbon filters reduce PFAS.
TUCSON CITY OF has 136 violations on file since 2016: 0 health-based in the last five years and 32 monitoring or reporting violations in that window. Monitoring violations are paperwork lapses, not measured contamination.
TUCSON CITY OF reports groundwater as its primary source and serves about 732,906 people (EPA PWSID AZ0410112).
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.
Want to know what's really in your Tucson tap water?
PFBA were detected in Tucson's water at low levels in 2023–2025 EPA monitoring.
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TUCSON 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 32 violations on file in that window are monitoring or reporting paperwork issues, not measured contaminant exceedances.
| Violation | Category | Compliance period | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monitoring, RegularEthylbenzene | Monitoring & reporting | 2026-01-01 → 2026-03-31 | Archived |
| Monitoring, Regulartrans-1,2-Dichloroethylene | Monitoring & reporting | 2026-01-01 → 2026-03-31 | Archived |
| Monitoring, Regular1,1,1-Trichloroethane | Monitoring & reporting | 2026-01-01 → 2026-03-31 | Archived |
| Monitoring, RegularToluene | Monitoring & reporting | 2026-01-01 → 2026-03-31 | Archived |
| Monitoring, RegularRadium-228 | Monitoring & reporting | 2026-01-01 → 2026-03-31 | Archived |
| Monitoring, RegularVinyl chloride | Monitoring & reporting | 2026-01-01 → 2026-03-31 | Archived |
| Monitoring, RegularCarbon tetrachloride | Monitoring & reporting | 2026-01-01 → 2026-03-31 | Archived |
| Monitoring, RegularCombined Radium (-226 and -228) | Monitoring & reporting | 2026-01-01 → 2026-03-31 | Archived |
| Monitoring, RegularTetrachloroethylene | Monitoring & reporting | 2026-01-01 → 2026-03-31 | Archived |
| Monitoring, Regular1,1,2-Trichloroethane | Monitoring & reporting | 2026-01-01 → 2026-03-31 | Archived |
| Monitoring, Regular1,1-Dichloroethylene | Monitoring & reporting | 2026-01-01 → 2026-03-31 | Archived |
| Monitoring, Regular1,2-Dichloropropane | Monitoring & reporting | 2026-01-01 → 2026-03-31 | Archived |
| Monitoring, Regularp-Dichlorobenzene | Monitoring & reporting | 2026-01-01 → 2026-03-31 | Archived |
| Monitoring, Regular1,2-Dichloroethane | Monitoring & reporting | 2026-01-01 → 2026-03-31 | Archived |
| Monitoring, RegularStyrene | Monitoring & reporting | 2026-01-01 → 2026-03-31 | Archived |
| Monitoring, RegularRadium-226 | Monitoring & reporting | 2026-01-01 → 2026-03-31 | Archived |
| Monitoring, Regular1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene | Monitoring & reporting | 2026-01-01 → 2026-03-31 | Archived |
| Monitoring, RegularBenzene | Monitoring & reporting | 2026-01-01 → 2026-03-31 | Archived |
| Monitoring, Regularcis-1,2-Dichloroethylene | Monitoring & reporting | 2026-01-01 → 2026-03-31 | Archived |
| Monitoring, RegularDICHLOROMETHANE | Monitoring & reporting | 2026-01-01 → 2026-03-31 | Archived |
| Monitoring, RegularGross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U | Monitoring & reporting | 2026-01-01 → 2026-03-31 | Archived |
| Monitoring, Regularo-Dichlorobenzene | Monitoring & reporting | 2026-01-01 → 2026-03-31 | Archived |
| Monitoring, RegularCHLOROBENZENE | Monitoring & reporting | 2026-01-01 → 2026-03-31 | Archived |
| Monitoring, RegularCombined Uranium | Monitoring & reporting | 2026-01-01 → 2026-03-31 | Archived |
| Monitoring, RegularXylenes, Total | Monitoring & reporting | 2026-01-01 → 2026-03-31 | Archived |
Showing 25 of 136 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 TUCSON 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 TUCSON CITY OF sampled had lead at or below 0.65 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 | 0.65 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2018-01-01 → 2020-12-31 | 0.9 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2015-01-01 → 2017-12-31 | 1.1 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2012-01-01 → 2014-12-31 | 1 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2009-01-01 → 2011-12-31 | 2.2 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2007-01-01 → 2009-12-31 | 2 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2005-01-01 → 2007-12-31 | 3 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2002-01-01 → 2002-12-31 | 3 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 1992-07-01 → 1992-12-31 | 5 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, 2024-01-10 to 2025-11-04 · 4,694 PFAS results at entry points to the distribution system
PFBA 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 / 162 | < 4 | 4 ppt | 4 ppt |
| PFOS | 0 / 162 | < 4 | 4 ppt | 4 ppt |
| PFHxS | 0 / 162 | < 3 | 3 ppt | 10 ppt |
| PFNA | 0 / 162 | < 4 | 4 ppt | 10 ppt |
| HFPO-DA | 0 / 162 | < 5 | 5 ppt | 10 ppt |
| PFBS | 0 / 162 | < 3 | 3 ppt | hazard index only |
| PFBA | 1 / 162 | 8.1 | 5 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 112 of 162 samples, max 63.7 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 TUCSON CITY OF · finished water only · dated data, released 2024
These are the regulated-contaminant samples TUCSON CITY OF reported to its state between 2012 and 2019 — the most recent nationwide sample-level dataset EPA has published. Every scored contaminant stayed within its Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) and averaged below 80% of the limit. Treat this as history, not today's tap water.
| Contaminant | Samples | Average | Max | EPA limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic | 353278 detects | 2.25 µg/L | 8 µg/L | 10 µg/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Nitrate (as N) | 992979 detects | 1.869 mg/L | 7.89 mg/L | 10 mg/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Fluoride | 354344 detects | 0.263 mg/L | 1.17 mg/L | 4 mg/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Chromium (total) | 3540 detects | 0 µg/L | ND | 100 µg/LMCL | Not detected |
| Uranium (combined) | 148133 detects | 2.952 µg/L | 22.648 µg/L | 30 µg/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Radium-226/228 | 14813 detects | 0.055 pCi/L | 1.3 pCi/L | 5 pCi/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Gross alpha | 14898 detects | 0.681 pCi/L | 3.9 pCi/L | 15 pCi/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHM) | 248236 detects | 10.954 µg/L | 48 µg/L | 80 µg/LMCL (LRAA) | Within MCL |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) | 248167 detects | 1.104 µg/L | 11 µg/L | 60 µg/LMCL (LRAA) | Within MCL |
| Lead (tap samples) | 11096 detects | 2.947 µg/L | 223 µg/L | 15 µg/Laction level (90th percentile) | Reported, not scored (compliance is on the 90th percentile) |
| Copper (tap samples) | 110 | 77.093 µg/L | 584 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 Tucson will follow up - no obligation.
TUCSON CITY OF · 267,346 service lines inventoried · Q2 2026 snapshot
TUCSON CITY OF reports 341 service lines that are lead or galvanized-requiring-replacement (0.1% of the lines it has inventoried), plus 140,797 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 AZ0410112 · 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 Tucson 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 Tucson 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 Tucson 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 Tucson residents measured at their own tap (ZIPs 85701, 85705, 85706, 85707 +20 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 Tucson 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.
Tucson ranks #16 of 37 graded Arizona cities.
Deep-dive guides for the specific contaminants EPA data flagged in Tucson's water, with removal options for each.
Yes — by EPA's records Tucson, AZ tap water is safe to drink and earns a B. The grade rests on low-level PFAS (PFBA) 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.
TUCSON CITY OF's most recent Lead and Copper Rule result (2021-01-01 to 2023-12-31) was 0.65 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 (2024-01-10 to 2025-11-04) detected PFBA, all below federal MCLs. Reverse osmosis and certified activated-carbon filters reduce PFAS.
TUCSON CITY OF has 136 violations on file since 2016: 0 health-based in the last five years and 32 monitoring or reporting violations in that window. Monitoring violations are paperwork lapses, not measured contamination.
TUCSON CITY OF reports groundwater as its primary source and serves about 732,906 people (EPA PWSID AZ0410112).
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.
PFBA were detected in Tucson's water at low levels in 2023–2025 EPA monitoring.
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Based on contaminants detected in your water, these resources may be helpful:
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