Is Surprise tap water safe to drink?

Yes but with caveats

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

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

3 Issues Detected in Surprise

Very Hard Water (12.2 GPG)

Hard water causes scale in pipes and shortens appliance lifespan.

Hardness data for Surprise

Moderate Chlorine Level

Chlorine within EPA limits but may affect taste.

Chlorine info for Surprise

Arsenic Approaching Limit (0.4 mg/L)

EPA limit is 0.010 mg/L.

Arsenic info for Surprise
Arizona

853,748,537,985,387 · Colorado River and groundwater

Surprise, AZ Water Quality Report

Moderate Risk Updated March 2026 143,938 residents
See Best Filters for Surprise
73
Purity Score

Contaminant Levels

PFAS
ND
Lead
1.6 ppb
Nitrate
0.6 mg/L
Arsenic
0.4 mg/L
Hardness
12.2 gpg

Health Insights

  • 1
    With a hardness of 12.2 GPG, Surprise residents may notice white scale on faucets. Hard water increases maintenance costs.
  • 2
    Chlorine levels may affect the taste of Surprise's tap water. A carbon filter improves flavor.

Score

73 /100
Moderate
"Good" threshold (70)

Surprise tap water is sourced from Colorado River and groundwater and treated by City of Surprise Water. Water hardness is very hard at 12.2 GPG which may cause scale buildup. TDS is 505 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 Surprise's 3 issues.

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Surprise Water FAQ

Is Surprise AZ tap water safe to drink in 2026?
Surprise 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 Surprise AZ use chlorine or chloramine for disinfection?
Surprise uses chloramine as the primary disinfectant with a residual level of 1.4 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 Surprise AZ water and what is the TDS level?
Surprise water hardness is 12.2 grains per gallon (very hard) with a TDS of 505 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 Surprise AZ drinking water?
Based on available EPA UCMR5 monitoring data as of 2026 PFAS have not been detected above EPA advisory levels in Surprise drinking water.
What is the best water filter for Surprise?
Based on Surprise's water profile, we recommend the AFWFilters 5600sxt 48000 Grain Softener. Surprise has very hard water (12.2 GPG) and elevated chlorine. A whole-house carbon plus softener system handles both.

Nearby Reports

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

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Data Sources

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

PurityMap compiles public data. Updated March 2026.

© 2026 PurityMap. For informational purposes only.

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