Is Scottsdale tap water safe to drink?

Yes but with caveats

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

73/100
Purity Score
3
Issues Found
13.2 GPG
Hardness
Not detected
PFAS

3 Issues Detected in Scottsdale

Very Hard Water (13.2 GPG)

Hard water causes scale in pipes and shortens appliance lifespan.

Hardness data for Scottsdale

Moderate Chlorine Level

Chlorine within EPA limits but may affect taste.

Chlorine info for Scottsdale

Arsenic Approaching Limit (0.5 mg/L)

EPA limit is 0.010 mg/L.

Arsenic info for Scottsdale
Arizona

852,508,525,185,252 · Colorado River Salt River Project

Scottsdale, AZ Water Quality Report

Moderate Risk Updated March 2026 258,069 residents
See Best Filters for Scottsdale
73
Purity Score

Contaminant Levels

PFAS
ND
Lead
1.8 ppb
Nitrate
0.7 mg/L
Arsenic
0.5 mg/L
Hardness
13.2 gpg

Health Insights

  • 1
    At 13.2 GPG, Scottsdale's water qualifies as very hard. This can cause limescale in pipes and shorten appliance lifespan.
  • 2
    Chlorine levels may affect the taste of Scottsdale's tap water. A carbon filter improves flavor.

Score

73 /100
Moderate
"Good" threshold (70)

Scottsdale tap water is sourced from Colorado River Salt River Project and treated by City of Scottsdale Water. Water hardness is very hard at 13.2 GPG which may cause scale buildup. TDS is 550 ppm which is above the EPA secondary guideline of 500 ppm. Overall purity score: 73/100 (Moderate). Updated for 2026.

Fix Your Water

Best filters matched to Scottsdale's 3 issues.

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Scottsdale Water FAQ

Is Scottsdale AZ tap water safe to drink in 2026?
Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale AZ use chlorine or chloramine for disinfection?
Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale AZ water and what is the TDS level?
Scottsdale water hardness is 13.2 grains per gallon (very hard) with a TDS of 550 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 Scottsdale AZ drinking water?
Based on available EPA UCMR5 monitoring data as of 2026 PFAS have not been detected above EPA advisory levels in Scottsdale drinking water.
What is the best water filter for Scottsdale?
Based on Scottsdale's water profile, we recommend the AFWFilters 5600sxt 48000 Grain Softener. Scottsdale has very hard water (13.2 GPG) and elevated chlorine. A whole-house carbon plus softener system handles both.

Nearby Reports

PhoenixArizona — 73/100MesaArizona — 73/100YumaArizona — 73/100PeoriaArizona — 73/100SurpriseArizona — 73/100GoodyearArizona — 73/100

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Data Sources

  • EPA SDWIS
  • EWG Tap Water Database
  • City of Scottsdale Water CCR
  • USGS monitoring data

PurityMap compiles public data. Updated March 2026.

© 2026 PurityMap. For informational purposes only.

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