Is Phoenix tap water safe to drink?

Yes but with caveats

Phoenix's water meets EPA minimum standards but has some concerns. Filtration is recommended for sensitive individuals.

73/100
Purity Score
3
Issues Found
13.5 GPG
Hardness
Unknown
PFAS

3 Issues Detected in Phoenix

Very Hard Water (13.5 GPG)

Hard water causes scale in pipes and shortens appliance lifespan.

Hardness data for Phoenix

Moderate Chlorine Level

Chlorine within EPA limits but may affect taste.

Chlorine info for Phoenix

Arsenic Approaching Limit (0.5 mg/L)

EPA limit is 0.010 mg/L.

Arsenic info for Phoenix
Arizona

850,018,500,285,003 · Salt Verde and Colorado rivers

Phoenix, AZ Water Quality Report

Moderate Risk Updated March 2026 1.6M residents
73
Purity Score

Health Insights

  • 1
    With a hardness of 13.5 GPG, Phoenix residents may notice white scale on faucets. Hard water increases maintenance costs.
  • 2
    PFAS testing data is limited for Phoenix. Residents concerned about exposure may want to test independently.
  • 3
    Chlorine levels may affect the taste of Phoenix's tap water. A carbon filter improves flavor.

Score

73 /100
Moderate
"Good" threshold (70)

Phoenix tap water is sourced from Salt Verde and Colorado rivers and treated by City of Phoenix Water Services Department. Water hardness is very hard at 13.5 GPG which may cause scale buildup. TDS is 560 ppm which is above the EPA secondary guideline of 500 ppm. Overall purity score: 73/100 (Moderate). Updated for 2026.

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Phoenix Water FAQ

Is Phoenix AZ tap water safe to drink in 2026?
Phoenix tap water meets EPA federal drinking water standards and scores 73/100 (Moderate) on PurityMap for 2026. For most healthy adults the water is considered safe but point-of-use filtration adds an important layer of protection.
Does Phoenix AZ use chlorine or chloramine for disinfection?
Phoenix uses chloramine as the primary disinfectant with a residual level of 1.6 ppm. Chloramine is harder to remove than free chlorine and requires a catalytic carbon or reverse osmosis filter. Standard Brita-style pitchers will NOT remove chloramine.
How hard is Phoenix AZ water and what is the TDS level?
Phoenix water hardness is 13.5 grains per gallon (very hard) with a TDS of 560 ppm (unacceptable). This level causes noticeable scale buildup in water heaters kettles and dishwashers. A water softener is recommended to protect plumbing and reduce soap usage.
Has PFAS been found in Phoenix AZ drinking water?
PFAS testing data for Phoenix is incomplete or pending under EPA UCMR5 monitoring. Check your utility CCR report for the latest results. A certified filter provides precautionary protection.
What is the best water filter for Phoenix?
Based on Phoenix's water profile, we recommend the AFWFilters 5600sxt 48000 Grain Softener. Phoenix has very hard water (13.5 GPG) and elevated chlorine. A whole-house carbon plus softener system handles both.

Nearby Reports

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Data Sources

  • EPA SDWIS
  • EWG Tap Water Database
  • City of Phoenix Water Services Department CCR
  • USGS monitoring data

PurityMap compiles public data. Updated March 2026.

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