Tap Water Quality Report

Tap water quality in Phoenix, Arizona

Served by 2 public water systems. 3,340,000 residents.

Average score 62/100
Utilities 2
Population 3,340,000
D
62/100
Below Average
ⓘ How did we get this rating?
Quick answer

Tap water in Phoenix, Arizona receives a grade of D (62/100) from TapWaterSafety.org. It's served by 2 public water systems, primarily Phoenix Water Authority. The most significant water quality concerns are: Lead detected in source water; Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) significantly above health guideline; Chromium-6 detected; Arsenic significantly above health guideline. Data sources: EPA SDWIS, EPA ECHO, EWG Tap Water Database, and Phoenix's published Consumer Confidence Report.

Data sources for this grade: utilities.csv ⓘ How did we get this rating?
Sample data notice: Some or all data on this page is illustrative sample data, not live measurements. See our disclaimer and data sources.

What's in Phoenix's tap water

Top water quality concerns identified by the EPA and Environmental Working Group across the utilities serving Phoenix.

Lead detected in source water

Severe concern

Lead detected at 1.1 ppb. EWG considers no level of lead safe; EPA's action level is 15 ppb.

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) significantly above health guideline

Moderate concern

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) detected at 15.0 ppb, 150x above the EWG health guideline of 0.1 ppb.

Chromium-6 detected

Moderate concern

Chromium-6 detected at 0.33 ppb.

Arsenic significantly above health guideline

Moderate concern

Arsenic detected at 2.84 ppb, 710x above the EWG health guideline of 0.004 ppb.

Recommended filters for Phoenix

Filters matched to the specific contaminants in Phoenix's water supply.

NSF/ANSI 53 certified for lead removal

$80-$750

NSF 53 is the gold standard certification for lead removal. Required when lead is a documented concern.

Clearly Filtered Pitcher Filter
$80-$95 NSF 42, 53, 401, P473
Editorial pick · affiliate link coming soon
Aquasana AQ-5300 Under-Sink Filter
$180-$240 NSF 42, 53, 401
Editorial pick · affiliate link coming soon
AquaTru Countertop Reverse Osmosis
$449-$599 NSF 42, 53, 58, 401, P473
Editorial pick · affiliate link coming soon
Waterdrop G3P800 Tankless RO
$600-$750 NSF 58, 372
View on retailer →

Reverse Osmosis

$249-$750

Chromium-6 requires reverse osmosis for reliable removal. Standard carbon filters do not address it.

AquaTru Countertop Reverse Osmosis
$449-$599 NSF 42, 53, 58, 401, P473
Editorial pick · affiliate link coming soon
Aquasana OptimH2O Reverse Osmosis + Claryum
$429-$549 NSF 42, 53, 58, 401, P473
Editorial pick · affiliate link coming soon
Waterdrop G3P800 Tankless RO
$600-$750 NSF 58, 372
View on retailer →
Waterdrop N1 Countertop RO
$249-$329 NSF 58, 372
View on retailer →

Disclosure: TapWaterSafety earns a commission from purchases made through these links. This does not influence our scoring methodology or filter selection.

All contaminants detected in Phoenix's tap water

Every contaminant identified, compared side-by-side against US EPA legal limits, the EU Drinking Water Directive (2020/2184), WHO Guidelines, and California's Public Health Goal. Why we show multiple standards →

Sample test dates: Water samples were collected in 2024. Test dates per contaminant are shown in the table below.

Contaminant Detected EWG
US health-based
EPA
US legal
EU DWD
Europe
WHO
global
CA PHG
strictest US
Tested
sample year
Status
Arsenic
Heavy metal
2.84 ppb 0.004 10 10 10 0.004 2023 710× over
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Disinfection byproduct
15.0 ppb 0.1 60 60 2023 150× over
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
Disinfection byproduct
43.4 ppb 0.6 80 100 2022 72× over
Nitrate
Inorganic
4.27 mg/L 0.14 10 11.3 11.3 10 2023 30× over
Chromium-6 (Hexavalent)
Heavy metal
0.593 ppb 0.02 0.02 2023 30× over
Uranium
Radiological
5.22 ppb 0.43 30 30 30 0.43 2023 12× over
Lead
Heavy metal
1.25 ppb 0 15 5 10 0.2 2022
Contaminant Detected (2023) EWG EPA EU DWD WHO CA PHG Status
Arsenic
Heavy metal
2.84 ppb 0.004 10 10 10 0.004 710× over
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Disinfection byproduct
15.0 ppb 0.1 60 60 150× over
Nitrate
Inorganic
4.27 mg/L 0.14 10 11.3 11.3 10 30× over
Chromium-6 (Hexavalent)
Heavy metal
0.593 ppb 0.02 0.02 30× over
Uranium
Radiological
5.22 ppb 0.43 30 30 30 0.43 12× over
Contaminant Detected (2022) EWG EPA EU DWD WHO CA PHG Status
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
Disinfection byproduct
43.4 ppb 0.6 80 100 72× over
Lead
Heavy metal
1.25 ppb 0 15 5 10 0.2

All values in the unit of the detected level. Red cells indicate the detected level exceeds that standard. Some contaminants have limits in some jurisdictions but not others (shown as —). The "Tested" column shows the year each contaminant sample was collected.

Sources: US EPA, EU Drinking Water Directive 2020/2184, WHO Guidelines, California OEHHA PHGs, EWG Tap Water Database.

Treatment plant contact info

For service issues, water quality concerns, or to request a Consumer Confidence Report from Phoenix Water Authority.

Treatment Plant

FacilityPhoenix Water Treatment Plant
Location4221 Treatment Plant Road, Phoenix, AZ
Operator certificationClass A (State certified)
Treatment capacity336 million gallons/day

ZIP codes served

Phoenix's public water systems serve the following ZIP codes: