Water Quality in Tucson, AZ: 361 Violations - Grade N/A
50 water systems · 37 directly mapped ZIP records
Available EPA records report 361 violations across 37 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts for Tucson. This is compliance evidence, not a property-level tap-water verdict.
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Tucson
This table shows typed EPA water evidence only. Missing violation counts are displayed as N/A, not zero.
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 85704 | 129 | 1 | View report → |
| 85705 | 109 | 2 | View report → |
| 85741 | 109 | 2 | View report → |
| 85742 | 101 | 0 | View report → |
| 85718 | 100 | 0 | View report → |
| 85745 | 96 | 1 | View report → |
| 85737 | 76 | 0 | View report → |
| 85756 | 71 | 3 | View report → |
| 85730 | 62 | 1 | View report → |
| 85747 | 47 | 1 | View report → |
| 85719 | 45 | 0 | View report → |
| 85743 | 44 | 0 | View report → |
| 85757 | 43 | 0 | View report → |
| 85706 | 42 | 1 | View report → |
| 85736 | 42 | 0 | View report → |
Violation Trend
EPA violations recorded for water systems serving Tucson.
| Year | Total violations | Health-based |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 | 1 |
| 2022 | 2 | 2 |
| 2024 | 7 | 7 |
| 2025 | 2 | 2 |
| 2026 | 1 | 1 |
Water Quality Overview
Tucson, Arizona has directly mapped EPA water-system data for 37 ZIP codes. This page reports typed compliance facts and does not relabel the multi-source Home Safety Score as a drinking-water grade.
The available EPA records report 361 violations, including 13 health-based violations across 37 directly mapped ZIP records with reported counts.
Lead Levels
The average 90th percentile lead level across Tucson water systems is 0.0025 mg/L - within EPA limits. 1 ZIP code exceed the EPA lead action level.
With 49% of homes built before 1986, Tucson has a higher-than-average risk of lead from older plumbing. Lead solder was banned in 1986, and homes built before this date may have lead in pipes, solder joints, or fixtures.
Water Systems Serving Tucson
Tucson is served by 50 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 916,333 people across 54 ZIP codes.
Each water system is identified by a Public Water System ID (PWSID) and is required to:
- Test for over 90 regulated contaminants on a regular schedule
- Report results to the EPA and state regulators
- Issue an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) to all customers
- Take corrective action when violations occur
The EPA has taken 369 enforcement actions against water systems serving Tucson. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in Tucson
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup to see your specific water system data, including contaminant levels and violation history
Request your CCR - your water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results for all monitored contaminants
Get a home test - certified kits cost $20–$50 and test for lead, bacteria, and common contaminants. Professional lab tests ($150–$400) cover a broader panel
Consider filtration - NSF-certified filters can remove specific contaminants. Reverse osmosis removes the broadest range; activated carbon is effective for chlorine and many organics
Check for advisories - monitor your local utility website and local news for boil water advisories or system alerts
Contaminants Detected in Tucson Water Systems
The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across Tucson's water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | MCL | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead | Inorganic | 0.015 mg/L | 71 | 35 | No |
| PFOA | PFAS | 0.000004 mg/L | 51 | 33 | No |
| PFNA | PFAS | 0.00001 mg/L | 51 | 33 | No |
| Monochloroacetic Acid | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 51 | 33 | No |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 51 | 33 | No |
| Bromodichloromethane | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.08 mg/L | 51 | 33 | No |
| Dibromochloromethane | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.08 mg/L | 51 | 33 | No |
| Bromoform | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.08 mg/L | 51 | 33 | No |
| Chlorodibromomethane | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.08 mg/L | 51 | 33 | No |
| Trichloroacetic Acid | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 51 | 33 | No |
| Monobromoacetic Acid | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 51 | 33 | No |
| Dibromoacetic Acid | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 51 | 33 | No |
| Bromochloroacetic Acid | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 51 | 33 | No |
| Bromodichloroacetic Acid | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 51 | 33 | No |
| Chlorodibromoacetic Acid | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 51 | 33 | No |
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA enforceable standard). Health-based violations indicate levels that may pose direct health risks.
Violation Trend Over Time
Year-by-year EPA violations recorded for water systems serving Tucson:
| Year | Total Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 | 1 |
| 2022 | 2 | 2 |
| 2024 | 7 | 7 |
| 2025 | 2 | 2 |
| 2026 | 1 | 1 |
Violation counts have remained stable over the observed period.
EPA Enforcement History
The EPA and state regulators have taken 111 enforcement actions against water systems serving Tucson. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2026-03-23 | State Informal Action |
| 2026-03-23 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2026-03-18 | State Order Extension |
| 2026-02-27 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2026-02-27 | State Informal Action |
| 2026-02-26 | State Informal Action |
| 2026-02-24 | State Order Extension |
| 2026-02-24 | State Informal Action |
| 2026-02-17 | State Order Extension |
| 2026-02-17 | State Informal Action |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2026-03-23.
Tucson vs. Nearby Arizona Cities
How Tucson's water quality compares to similar cities in Arizona:
| City | Direct EPA ZIPs | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tucson | 37 | 361 | 50 | 916,333 |
| Mesa | 13 | 203 | 5 | 550,266 |
| Phoenix | 43 | 35 | 9 | 1,454,993 |
| Glendale | 9 | 22 | 6 | 311,041 |
Recommended Water Filters for Tucson
Based on contaminants detected in Tucson's water supply, these filter types are recommended:
Reverse Osmosis (under-sink)
- Removes: Lead
- Effectiveness: 95-99%
- Cost range: $150–$500
- Certification: NSF/ANSI 58
- Recommended products:
- Waterdrop G3P800
- Aquasana AQ-5200
- Clearly Filtered Pitcher
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Tucson
EPA coverage and recorded violations can differ across Tucson's ZIP codes. Missing counts are shown as unavailable, not zero:
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|
| 85704 | 129 | 1 |
| 85705 | 109 | 2 |
| 85741 | 109 | 2 |
| 85742 | 101 | 0 |
| 85718 | 100 | 0 |
| 85745 | 96 | 1 |
| 85737 | 76 | 0 |
| 85756 | 71 | 3 |
| 85730 | 62 | 1 |
| 85747 | 47 | 1 |
| 85719 | 45 | 0 |
| 85743 | 44 | 0 |
| 85757 | 43 | 0 |
| 85706 | 42 | 1 |
| 85736 | 42 | 0 |
Common Questions About Tucson Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Tucson, Arizona:
Is Tucson water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Tucson's 50 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Tucson tap water? City-level EPA records cannot determine safety at a specific tap. The measured subset contains 13 health-based violations; check the affected utility record and consider certified testing.
What is the best water filter for Tucson? Based on detected contaminants, a reverse osmosis (under-sink) filter is most recommended. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Tucson vs. Arizona Average
Understanding how Tucson compares to the broader Arizona average helps contextualize your local water quality. Factors like water source, treatment methods, and infrastructure age all contribute to differences between cities in the same state.
To see how individual neighborhoods compare, check the ZIP code reports below - water quality can vary significantly even within Tucson.
ZIP Codes in Tucson
Tucson spans 54 ZIP codes. EPA water-system coverage is available for 37 directly mapped ZIP codes. Check each ZIP code for detailed contaminant data, violation history, and system information.
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
- Enforcement: EPA ECHO database
- Filter recommendations: NSF/ANSI certified products
Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.