Exceeds EPA Limit Fluoride EXCEEDS EPA LIMIT

Fluoride in Tucson, AZ Drinking Water

Fluoride data for Tucson, Arizona · 916,333 residents · 54 ZIP codes

Federal water monitoring extends to thousands of public water systems, and in Tucson, Arizona, that tracking has turned up Fluoride — the detection is logged in the EPA compliance record and reflects samples collected under routine Safe Drinking Water Act reporting requirements.

44 ppb
Max Level Detected
44 ppb
Average Level
4.0 mg/L (MCL) / 2.0 mg/L (SMCL)
EPA MCL
Moderate
Health Risk
Reverse Osmosis or Activated Alumina
Best Filter Method

Data: EPA SDWIS, CCR Reports, ECHO Last verified: 2026-04-05

Fluoride in Tucson Tap Water

Fluoride has been detected in Tucson, Arizona drinking water at a maximum level of 44 ppb — below the EPA MCL of 4.0 mg/L (MCL) / 2.0 mg/L (SMCL).

This analysis covers 916,333 residents across 54 ZIP codes in Tucson.

Tucson's overall water quality grade is D (53/100).

Is Fluoride in Tucson Water Safe?

Fluoride levels in parts of Tucson exceed the EPA MCL of 4.0 mg/L (MCL) / 2.0 mg/L (SMCL). The EPA requires water systems to take corrective action when this limit is exceeded.

If you live in an affected ZIP code, consider installing a reverse osmosis or activated alumina filter certified under NSF 58 and testing your water independently.

Fluoride Levels by ZIP Code

ZIP Code Fluoride Level EPA Limit Status
85701 44 ppm 4.0 mg/L (MCL) / 2.0 mg/L (SMCL) OK
85702 44 ppm 4.0 mg/L (MCL) / 2.0 mg/L (SMCL) OK
85703 44 ppm 4.0 mg/L (MCL) / 2.0 mg/L (SMCL) OK
85704 44 ppm 4.0 mg/L (MCL) / 2.0 mg/L (SMCL) OK
85705 44 ppm 4.0 mg/L (MCL) / 2.0 mg/L (SMCL) OK
85706 44 ppm 4.0 mg/L (MCL) / 2.0 mg/L (SMCL) OK
85707 44 ppm 4.0 mg/L (MCL) / 2.0 mg/L (SMCL) OK
85708 44 ppm 4.0 mg/L (MCL) / 2.0 mg/L (SMCL) OK
85709 44 ppm 4.0 mg/L (MCL) / 2.0 mg/L (SMCL) OK
85710 44 ppm 4.0 mg/L (MCL) / 2.0 mg/L (SMCL) OK
85711 44 ppm 4.0 mg/L (MCL) / 2.0 mg/L (SMCL) OK
85712 44 ppm 4.0 mg/L (MCL) / 2.0 mg/L (SMCL) OK
85713 44 ppm 4.0 mg/L (MCL) / 2.0 mg/L (SMCL) OK
85714 44 ppm 4.0 mg/L (MCL) / 2.0 mg/L (SMCL) OK
85715 44 ppm 4.0 mg/L (MCL) / 2.0 mg/L (SMCL) OK
85716 44 ppm 4.0 mg/L (MCL) / 2.0 mg/L (SMCL) OK
85717 44 ppm 4.0 mg/L (MCL) / 2.0 mg/L (SMCL) OK
85718 44 ppm 4.0 mg/L (MCL) / 2.0 mg/L (SMCL) OK
85719 44 ppm 4.0 mg/L (MCL) / 2.0 mg/L (SMCL) OK
85720 44 ppm 4.0 mg/L (MCL) / 2.0 mg/L (SMCL) OK
85721 44 ppm 4.0 mg/L (MCL) / 2.0 mg/L (SMCL) OK
85722 44 ppm 4.0 mg/L (MCL) / 2.0 mg/L (SMCL) OK
85723 44 ppm 4.0 mg/L (MCL) / 2.0 mg/L (SMCL) OK
85724 44 ppm 4.0 mg/L (MCL) / 2.0 mg/L (SMCL) OK
85725 44 ppm 4.0 mg/L (MCL) / 2.0 mg/L (SMCL) OK
...29 more ZIP codes

Average fluoride level across Tucson: 44 ppb

Health Effects of Fluoride

  • Skeletal fluorosis at levels above 4 mg/L (bone pain, joint stiffness)
  • Dental fluorosis in children at levels above 2 mg/L
  • At 0.7 mg/L (water fluoridation level), helps prevent tooth decay
  • Possible thyroid effects at high chronic exposure

Health risk severity: Moderate. Governed by the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations.

How Fluoride Gets Into Drinking Water

  • Intentional water fluoridation (0.7 mg/L target, beneficial)
  • Natural deposits in certain rock formations
  • Industrial discharge (aluminum, fertilizer production)
  • Naturally elevated in some groundwater (especially arid regions)

What to Do About Fluoride in Tucson Water

  1. Reverse osmosis removes 90%+ of fluoride
  2. Activated alumina filters are effective for fluoride
  3. Bone char carbon can reduce fluoride
  4. Standard activated carbon filters do NOT remove fluoride

Look for filters certified under NSF 58 for fluoride removal.

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