Arizona Water Quality Report 2026

14 cities4,562,979 residentsUpdated March 2026

C74.1/100State Average
Arizona has 14 cities in our database, serving approximately 4,562,979 residents. The average PurityMap score is 74.1/100 (Grade: C), which is 3.8 points below the US average of 77.9/100. Flagstaff has the cleanest water (85/100) while Phoenix scores lowest (73/100) due to very hard water, high TDS.
Is Arizona Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Safe — Softener May Help

Arizona tap water is safe — softener may help based on our analysis of 14 water systems serving 4,562,979 residents. The average PurityMap score is 74.1/100 (Grade: C), which is 3.8 points below the national average.

  • 13 cities (93%) have hard or very hard water (7+ GPG) which causes scale buildup and appliance damage.
  • 12 cities exceed the EPA secondary TDS guideline of 500 ppm, which affects taste and may indicate elevated minerals.
  • 13 cities use chloramine or have elevated chlorine residuals. Standard Brita pitchers do not remove chloramine.
Our Recommendation

A whole-house water softener paired with an under-sink carbon filter addresses Arizona's main concerns: hardness and chlorine taste. For extra protection, consider reverse osmosis for drinking water.

All 14 cities in Arizona meet EPA federal drinking water standards as of 2026. However, EPA standards set legal limits — not health goals. Many contaminants are detected at levels that are legal but may still pose long-term health risks according to independent health organizations like the EWG.
Arizona at a Glance
74.1Avg Purity Score
12.3Avg Hardness (GPG)
Very Hard
0Cities with PFAS
13Cities with Hard Water
1.8Avg Lead (ppb)
509Avg TDS (ppm)

Arizona is 3.8 points below the US average of 77.9/100. Hardness is 6.0 GPG above the US average of 6.3 GPG.

Best & Worst Water in Arizona
Cleanest

Flagstaff

85/100

Source: Groundwater and surface water

Most Concerns

Phoenix

73/100

very hard water, high TDS

Cities with Most Water Concerns in Arizona

Cities ranked by lowest score. Click any city for the full report and filter recommendations.

RankCityScoreHardnessLeadKey Issues
1Phoenix 73/10013.5 GPG2.0 ppbVery Hard (13.5 GPG), TDS (560 ppm)
2Mesa 73/10012.9 GPG2.2 ppbVery Hard (12.9 GPG), TDS (540 ppm)
3Scottsdale 73/10013.2 GPG1.8 ppbVery Hard (13.2 GPG), TDS (550 ppm)
4Chandler 73/10012.3 GPG1.5 ppbVery Hard (12.3 GPG), TDS (510 ppm)
5Glendale 73/10012.7 GPG2.0 ppbVery Hard (12.7 GPG), TDS (525 ppm)
6Tempe 73/10013.0 GPG2.1 ppbVery Hard (13.0 GPG), TDS (540 ppm)
7Peoria 73/10012.6 GPG1.8 ppbVery Hard (12.6 GPG), TDS (520 ppm)
8Surprise 73/10012.2 GPG1.6 ppbVery Hard (12.2 GPG), TDS (505 ppm)
9Yuma 73/10014.5 GPG2.0 ppbVery Hard (14.5 GPG), TDS (600 ppm)
10Goodyear 73/10013.0 GPG1.5 ppbVery Hard (13.0 GPG), TDS (540 ppm)
Score Distribution

How Arizona's 14 cities score on the PurityMap 0–100 scale:

Excellent (85–100)
1 city
Good (70–84)
13 cities
Moderate (60–69)
0 cities
Poor (below 60)
0 cities
Largest Cities in Arizona — Water Quality

Water quality for the most populated cities. Click any city for details.















CityPopulationScoreHardnessKey Issues
Phoenix1.6M 73/10013.5 GPGVery Hard
Tucson546K 75/10011.4 GPGVery Hard
Mesa504K 73/10012.9 GPGVery Hard
Chandler276K 73/10012.3 GPGVery Hard
Gilbert268K 75/10012.0 GPGVery Hard
Scottsdale258K 73/10013.2 GPGVery Hard
Glendale247K 73/10012.7 GPGVery Hard
Tempe181K 73/10013.0 GPGVery Hard
Peoria176K 73/10012.6 GPGVery Hard
Surprise144K 73/10012.2 GPGVery Hard
Yuma96K 73/10014.5 GPGVery Hard
Goodyear95K 73/10013.0 GPGVery Hard
Avondale90K 73/10012.8 GPGVery Hard
Flagstaff75K 85/1005.6 GPG—
Hard Water in Arizona

13 of 14 cities (93%) in Arizona have hard or very hard water (7+ GPG). Yuma has the hardest at 14.5 GPG. Cities: Yuma, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Goodyear, Mesa, Avondale, Glendale. A water softener is recommended.

Hard Water Guide Softener Solutions
PFAS in Arizona Water

Based on EPA UCMR5 data, PFAS have not been detected above advisory levels in any Arizona cities in our database as of 2026. 5 cities have pending PFAS testing data.

Lead in Arizona Water

All Arizona cities have lead below 5 ppb. Average: 1.8 ppb. Individual homes with older plumbing may have higher levels.

High TDS in Arizona

12 cities in Arizona have TDS above 500 ppm. Cities: Yuma, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Goodyear. RO effectively reduces TDS.

RO Reduces TDS
Water Sources in Arizona

Where Arizona gets its drinking water, based on 14 water systems.



Source TypeCities% of Total
Surface Water750%
Mixed (Ground + Surface)750%
Recommended Filter for Arizona

Arizona is a hard water state (13/14 cities). A whole-house softener is the best investment.

All Arizona Cities — Ranked
#CityPop.ScoreHardnessLeadPFASTDS
1Phoenix1.6M 73/10013.5 GPG (Very Hard)2.0 ppb❓ Pending560 ppm
2Mesa504K 73/10012.9 GPG (Very Hard)2.2 ppb❓ Pending540 ppm
3Scottsdale258K 73/10013.2 GPG (Very Hard)1.8 ppb✅ No550 ppm
4Chandler276K 73/10012.3 GPG (Very Hard)1.5 ppb✅ No510 ppm
5Tempe181K 73/10013.0 GPG (Very Hard)2.1 ppb❓ Pending540 ppm
6Glendale247K 73/10012.7 GPG (Very Hard)2.0 ppb❓ Pending525 ppm
7Surprise144K 73/10012.2 GPG (Very Hard)1.6 ppb✅ No505 ppm
8Peoria176K 73/10012.6 GPG (Very Hard)1.8 ppb✅ No520 ppm
9Avondale90K 73/10012.8 GPG (Very Hard)1.8 ppb✅ No530 ppm
10Goodyear95K 73/10013.0 GPG (Very Hard)1.5 ppb✅ No540 ppm
11Yuma96K 73/10014.5 GPG (Very Hard)2.0 ppb✅ No600 ppm
12Tucson546K 75/10011.4 GPG (Very Hard)1.8 ppb❓ Pending490 ppm
13Gilbert268K 75/10012.0 GPG (Very Hard)1.5 ppb✅ No500 ppm
14Flagstaff75K 85/1005.6 GPG (Moderate)1.2 ppb✅ No210 ppm
Water Utilities in Arizona

Arizona has 14 utilities. Major: City of Phoenix Water Services Department, Tucson Water, City of Mesa Water Resources, City of Scottsdale Water, City of Chandler Utilities.

Sources: Salt Verde and Colorado rivers, Colorado River CAP and groundwater, Colorado River Salt River Project, Colorado River and groundwater, Colorado River.

Frequently Asked Questions
Which city has the best water in Arizona?
Flagstaff scores highest at 85/100. Source: Groundwater and surface water.
Which city has the worst water in Arizona?
Phoenix scores lowest at 73/100 due to very hard water, high TDS.
Is Arizona water hard or soft?
Average hardness: 12.3 GPG (Very Hard). 6.0 GPG above the US average of 6.3 GPG. 13 of 14 cities have hard/very hard water.
Has PFAS been found in Arizona water?
Based on EPA UCMR5 data, PFAS have not been detected above advisory levels in any Arizona cities in our database as of 2026. 5 cities have pending PFAS testing data.
What water filter should I use in Arizona?
Arizona is a hard water state (13/14 cities). A whole-house softener is the best investment.
How does Arizona water compare to the US average?
Score: 74.1/100 (3.8 points below US avg 77.9). Hardness: 12.3 GPG (6.0 GPG above US avg 6.3).
Where does Arizona get its drinking water?Where does Arizona get its drinking water?
Arizona water comes from: Surface Water: 7 cities (50%), Mixed (Ground + Surface): 7 cities (50%).
Data Sources & Methodology
  • EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System
  • EWG Tap Water Database
  • State utility Consumer Confidence Reports
  • USGS regional water monitoring data

PurityMap compiles publicly available data and does not perform independent testing.

How we analyze water Data sources
All Arizona Cities with Water Reports

14 city water quality reports available for Arizona.

14 Reports
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Showing all 14 cities
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