Health Violations Found AZ 19 HEALTH VIOLATIONS

City of Phoenix

EPA ID: AZ0407025 · 1,695,000 people served · 95 ZIP codes

Federal data shows 33 unresolved violations at City of Phoenix — roughly 1,695,000 residents in the service area.

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02

D · 53
Avg Safety Score
1,695,000
People Served
95
ZIP Codes Served
126
Violations (5yr)
Surface Water
Water Source
0.0028 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 2
Radon Risk · Moderate
19
Contaminants Flagged
$410K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Compliance Trajectory

Worsening · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months

Violations went from 4 (2021) to 4 (2025). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.

Service Area Map

Coverage area for City of Phoenix Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade D

Service Area Demographics

$81,919
Median Household Income
2,038,056
Service Area Population
28%
Disadvantaged Population
50th
Poverty Percentile
50th
Energy Burden Percentile
46%
Pre-1986 Housing

The City of Phoenix serves a community with a median household income of $81,919 and an estimated 2,038,056 residents across its service area. Approximately 46% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

🌊 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Surface Water

City of Phoenix's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap.

Elevated Risk
Source Contamination Risk
40th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
50th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Maricopa County, Arizona rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.

Infrastructure Risk

43 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
24 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 64% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How City of Phoenix compares to EPA limits

Atrazine 2 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.003 mg/L
Endocrine disruption, cardiovascular & reproductive effects
Lead 5 mg/L (action level) (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.015 mg/L (action level)
Brain damage in children, kidney & blood pressure in adults
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) 4 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.08 mg/L
Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns

What This Means For You

Atrazine at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.003 mg/L. Endocrine disruption, cardiovascular & reproductive effects. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.

Lead at 5 mg/L (action level) exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.015 mg/L (action level). Brain damage in children, kidney & blood pressure in adults. Consider reverse osmosis filtration.

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) at 4 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.08 mg/L. Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.

Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 36 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Stage 2 DBP Rule at 17 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

PFAS Detected in Service Area

PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 136 detections recorded. 6 exceed federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS). 4 exceed state limits.

State limits: PFOA: 0.01 ppt, PFOS: 0.01 ppt
Health concern: PFAS are linked to cancer, thyroid disease, immune suppression, and developmental effects. They do not break down naturally.
Recommended filter: Reverse osmosis (RO) or activated carbon filters certified for PFAS removal. Find the right filter →

Atrazine was detected in this water system. granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration can reduce exposure.

Find a certified water filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Arizona

City of Tucson
732,906 people
D 218 violations
City of Mesa
466,000 people
B 7 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance Water Filtration Radon Mitigation PFAS Treatment
Flood Insurance $866
Water Filtration $553
Radon Mitigation $400
PFAS Treatment $335
Total Estimated Cost $2,154

Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.

Cost of Inaction

If water quality issues in this service area are not addressed, the estimated financial impact per household is:

Estimated Healthcare Costs $1,500

Annual per household (CDC est.)

Estimated Property Value Decline $20,505

5% of median home value (EPA est.)

PFAS Exposure — Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$17,920
10 years
$35,840
20 years
$71,680

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $2,154 (one-time) vs. $35,840 in estimated inaction costs over 10 years.

Estimates based on published EPA, CDC, and peer-reviewed research. Individual costs vary by household size, property, and health factors. These are conservative lower-bound estimates intended for awareness, not financial advice.

System Overview

City of Phoenix (EPA ID: AZ0407025) is a community water system in Arizona that serves approximately 1,695,000 people from surface water sources.

This system provides water to 95 ZIP codes across 9 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: D (53/100)

Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.

Violation History

19 health-based violations recorded in the past 5 years. 33 remain unresolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
August 28, 2025 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Unresolved
August 20, 2025 Total Coliform Monitoring Unresolved
August 1, 2025 Chlorite Monitoring Unresolved
July 1, 2025 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Unresolved
June 1, 2025 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Resolved
May 1, 2025 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Unresolved
May 1, 2025 E. coli Monitoring Unresolved
May 1, 2025 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Resolved
April 1, 2025 Barium Monitoring Unresolved
April 1, 2025 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Resolved
April 1, 2025 Gross Alpha Health-based Unresolved
March 1, 2025 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Resolved
February 13, 2025 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Resolved
February 1, 2025 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Unresolved
January 1, 2025 Chlorite Monitoring Resolved
January 1, 2025 Barium Monitoring Resolved
January 1, 2025 Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Monitoring Unresolved
January 1, 2025 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Unresolved
January 1, 2025 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Resolved
January 1, 2025 Stage 1 DBP Rule Monitoring Unresolved

Contaminants Detected

The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting Failure 36 Yes
Stage 2 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 17 Yes
Revised Total Coliform Rule Microbiological 11 No
Lead and Copper Rule Treatment Failure 9 No
Fecal Coliform Microbiological 8 Yes
Chlorite Disinfection Byproducts 7 Yes
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Failure 7 No
E. coli Microbiological 7 No
Lead Inorganic 5 No
Barium Inorganic 4 Yes
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Disinfection Byproducts 4 No
Total Coliform Microbiological 4 No
Contaminant 2035 Other Violation 2 No
Atrazine Organic 2 No
Gross Alpha Radionuclides 2 Yes

Health Risk Details

Chlorite (EPA limit: 1 mg/L)

Anemia and nervous system effects in infants and children At-risk groups: infants, developing fetuses, people with G6PD deficiency.

Removal methods: ferrous sulfate reduction, activated carbon, reverse osmosis. Find the right filter →

Gross Alpha Particle Activity (EPA limit: pCi/L)

Increased cancer risk from radioactive particles At-risk groups: long-term residents in areas with uranium or radium-rich geology, people on private wells in western US.

Removal methods: reverse osmosis, ion exchange (anion exchange for radium), lime softening. Find the right filter →

Lead & Copper

EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
85087 0.0028 mg/L No N/A
85001 0.00274 mg/L No N/A
85002 0.00274 mg/L No N/A
85003 0.00274 mg/L No N/A
85004 0.00274 mg/L No N/A
85005 0.00274 mg/L No N/A
85006 0.00274 mg/L No N/A
85007 0.00274 mg/L No N/A
85008 0.00274 mg/L No N/A
85009 0.00274 mg/L No N/A
85010 0.00274 mg/L No N/A
85011 0.00274 mg/L No N/A
85012 0.00274 mg/L No N/A
85013 0.00274 mg/L No N/A
85014 0.00274 mg/L No N/A
85015 0.00274 mg/L No N/A
85016 0.00274 mg/L No N/A
85017 0.00274 mg/L No N/A
85018 0.00274 mg/L No N/A
85019 0.00274 mg/L No N/A

Radon Risk in Service Area

Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)

The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.

Need help with your water quality?

Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400

Find the Right Water Filter

Free tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.

ZIP Codes Served

Coverage: 60 ZIP codes confirmed via EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 plus 35 additional ZIPs inferred from SDWIS registry data. The EPA-confirmed set is the most reliable; SDWIS-inferred entries may be narrower than the real deployment area.

This system serves 95 ZIP codes:

85001 · 85002 · 85003 · 85004 · 85005 85006 · 85007 · 85008 · 85009 · 85010 85011 · 85012 · 85013 · 85014 · 85015 85016 · 85017 · 85018 · 85019 · 85020 85021 · 85022 · 85023 · 85024 · 85025 85026 · 85027 · 85028 · 85029 · 85030 85031 · 85032 · 85033 · 85034 · 85035 85036 · 85037 · 85038 · 85039 · 85040 85041 · 85042 · 85043 · 85044 · 85045 85046 · 85048 · 85050 · 85051 · 85053 85054 · 85055 · 85060 · 85061 · 85062 85063 · 85064 · 85065 · 85066 · 85067 85068 · 85069 · 85070 · 85071 · 85072 85073 · 85074 · 85075 · 85076 · 85078 85079 · 85080 · 85082 · 85083 · 85085 85086 · 85087 · 85097 · 85098 · 85251 85253 · 85254 · 85255 · 85260 · 85266 85304 · 85305 · 85306 · 85307 · 85308 85310 · 85331 · 85339 · 85353 · 85383

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for City of Phoenix (AZ0407025) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is City of Phoenix water safe to drink?

City of Phoenix has recorded 19 health-based violations in the past 5 years. While the system is required to treat water to meet federal standards, you may want to consider additional precautions such as a certified water filter.

How many people does City of Phoenix serve?

City of Phoenix serves approximately 1,695,000 people across 95 ZIP codes in Arizona.

Where does City of Phoenix get its water?

The primary water source is surface water.

Contact Your Water Utility

Public-record contact information for the water utility serving this system. Use these channels to request water quality reports, ask about service, or report issues directly.

Phone
602-262-6251
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility, does not act as its agent, and does not provide customer support for it. Contact details shown are public-record information from CCR filings. For service issues, contact the utility directly using the information above.
Address
2474 South 22nd Avenue, Building 31, Phoenix AZ 85009

Contact information from City of Phoenix Water Services Department Consumer Confidence Report.

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility, does not act as its agent, and does not provide customer support for it. Contact details shown are public-record information from CCR filings. For service issues, contact the utility directly using the information above.

Water Source & Treatment

Where this water originates and how it's treated before reaching your tap.

Source
Surface water
Drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Disinfectant used
Chlorine
Treatment chemicals reported
ferric chloridechlorinefluoride

Source: City of Phoenix Water Services Department Consumer Confidence Report.

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. Treatment and source data are sourced from the utility's published CCR filings.

Source water assessment from City of Phoenix Water Services Department Consumer Confidence Report:
The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) conducted a source water assessment for the drinking water wells and the surface water sources for the city of Phoenix water treatment plants in 2005. This assessment reviewed the adjacent land uses that may pose a potential risk to the water sources. These risks include, but are not limited to, gas stations, landfills, dry cleaners, agricultural fields, wastewater treatment plants, and mining activities. Once ADEQ identified the adjacent land uses, they were ranked as to their potential to affect the water source. The assessment has designated water from the Central Arizona Project (CAP) aqueduct to have a high risk because the source water is often stored in Lake Pleasant prior to being transported to a city water treatment plant. There have been reportable releases or spills of a substance at a facility near the lake that have not been reported as being remediated. The spill at this facility makes the CAP source water susceptible to potential future contamination.

Treatment regime

How this utility classifies its treatment process and what each reported treatment chemical does.

Treatment classification
Multi-stage
Multiple treatment stages — typically coagulation, filtration, and disinfection. Common for surface-water systems requiring removal of particulates, microorganisms, and dissolved organic compounds before disinfection.

Treatment chemicals and what each one does

Chemical names are reported verbatim by the utility. Purpose categories are ZipCheckup annotations based on standard drinking-water treatment practice.

Disinfectant
Inactivates bacteria, viruses, and parasites in the treated water.
chlorine
Coagulant
Causes suspended particles to clump together so they can be removed by filtration.
ferric chloride
Fluoridation
Added at low levels per state or local public-health policy for dental health.
fluoride

Watershed exposure sources reported

Land-use and natural conditions identified in the utility's source-water assessment as potential contamination sources upstream of treatment.

Gas stationsLandfillsDry cleanersAgricultureWastewater treatment plantsMining

Treatment classification and chemical list sourced from City of Phoenix Water Services Department Consumer Confidence Report.

Treatment intensity is a ZipCheckup-derived classification based on the chemicals and processes the utility reports. Chemicals and contamination sources are taken verbatim from the utility's CCR filing. Routine federal monitoring and contaminant testing shown elsewhere on this page determine whether the water meets safety standards, not the treatment classification.

Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Detected

This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). PFAS compounds were detected below the current state-enforceable MCL.

Samples collected
1512
Detections
18
Latest sample
10/24/2023
Highest analyte
PFBS: 16 ppt
Analyte Max detected Current MCL Status
PFBS 16 ppt
PFBA 6 ppt

Current MCL reflects the lowest state-enforceable limit (NYS 10 ppt for PFOA/PFOS, effective August 2020). The federal final MCL of 4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS (EPA April 2024 rule) is not enforceable until April 2029. Detections above 4 ppt but below 10 ppt are below current MCL but above the future federal limit.

Source: U.S. EPA UCMR5 (Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 5th cycle) — per-system federal sampling, 2023–2025. EPA UCMR5 monitoring program →

Understand PFAS health context and filtration →

PFAS Substances Detected in This System

This water system's Consumer Confidence Report disclosed the following PFAS compounds. Levels are from the utility's most recent reporting cycle.

Substance Detected level EPA limit Status
PFBS
Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid
EPA-regulated (2024 NPDWR)
Component of EPA Hazard Index — combined exposure assessed against unitless threshold of 1.0.
16 ppt No federal limit set
PFBA
Not yet EPA-regulated
6 ppt No federal limit set

In April 2024, EPA finalized the first National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for six PFAS. Public water systems have until 2029 to comply. EPA — PFAS regulation overview →

Source: Consumer Confidence Report disclosed by City of Phoenix Water Services Department.

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. PFAS detection data is sourced from public Consumer Confidence Reports filed by the utility itself.

Learn more about PFAS health effects and filtration →

Lead service line replacement plan from City of Phoenix Water Services Department Consumer Confidence Report:
As required by the Lead and Copper Rule Revision, the City of Phoenix prepared a service line inventory. The purpose of the inventory was to determine if any of our service lines contain lead, galvanized pipe requiring removal, or unknown materials. For more information about the City's Service Line Inventory and to access the inventory please visit our website at phoenix.gov/pipes or contact us at [email protected].

Lead Service Line Replacement Tracker

This water utility's lead service line (LSL) replacement program is tracked from public Consumer Confidence Report filings. Email signup notifies subscribers when the utility files an updated replacement plan or progress milestone.

Get notified on replacement progress

Subscribers receive an email when this utility updates its LSL plan, files a milestone report, or adjusts replacement timelines. No marketing, no third-party sharing.

By submitting you agree to Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe anytime via the link in any email.

City of Phoenix Water Services Department

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. LSL replacement-program data is sourced from public CCR filings published by the utility. Subscription notifications are based on automated parsing of subsequent CCR releases.

Learn more about Lead and Copper Rule replacement requirements →

Lead Service Line Inventory

Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:

0
Confirmed Lead
506
Galvanized — Replacement Required
227,517
Unknown Material
272,185
Confirmed Non-Lead

Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.

Federal Regulatory Status · 2026Q1
LCRR inventory submission: Reported all required service line types
Latest tap sample on 2022-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 1,695,000
Reported to Arizona

Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Service Line Inventory (Phase 2) · Submitted 2026

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with the utility or state agency. Inventory figures render verbatim from the public LCRI submission cited above; ZipCheckup does not perform inspections or replacements.

Learn about lead in drinking water →

Aesthetic water quality

These measurements describe the look, taste, and feel of the water this utility delivers. They are not contaminant violations — they sit alongside federal Secondary Maximum Contaminant Levels (SMCLs) which the EPA publishes as non-enforceable guidance.

pH
8.5
How acidic or basic the water is on a 0-14 scale. Drinking water is typically near neutral.
EPA secondary range: 6.5 – 8.5
Fluoride
0.84 ppm
Utility adds fluoride
Measured fluoride concentration in parts per million.
EPA secondary MCL: 2.0 ppm
Alkalinity
234 ppm CaCO₃
Capacity of the water to neutralize acids, expressed as calcium carbonate equivalent.
Total dissolved solids
686 ppm
Mineral content remaining after evaporation, including calcium, magnesium, sodium, and other dissolved substances.
EPA secondary MCL: 500 ppm

Aesthetic measurements from City of Phoenix Water Services Department Consumer Confidence Report.

Aesthetic measurements are reported by the utility from its annual sampling. EPA Secondary MCLs are advisory thresholds — values outside them indicate aesthetic concerns such as taste or appearance, not health violations. Federal contaminant testing is shown in the sections above.

Hard water detected in City of Phoenix Water Services Department

Your utility reported water hardness of 344 ppm CaCO₃ (20.1 grains per gallon) in its most recent Consumer Confidence Report. This is in the very hard range and may cause scale buildup, reduced appliance lifespan, and dry skin or hair.

Solutions for hard water

There are three common approaches to treating hard water: salt-based ion-exchange softeners (most effective, require salt refills), salt-free conditioners (lower maintenance, scale prevention only), and reverse osmosis at the kitchen sink (cooking and drinking water only). Aquasana, EcoWater, Pelican, and SpringWell are among the major US brands.

Recommended Aquasana system for your hardness level

Paid Partner. ZipCheckup earns commission on Aquasana purchases. We do not test water or verify product effectiveness for specific hardness levels — manufacturer claims are theirs alone. Consult a certified water-quality professional for personalized advice.

Hardness data parsed from this utility's most recent Consumer Confidence Report. Severity bands per USGS hard water classification.

How Water Systems Appear in Rankings

Water systems are evaluated by violation history, contaminant detections, and service population. Larger systems with more service connections appear in more rankings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from City of Phoenix safe to drink?
City of Phoenix has a D safety grade based on 126 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in City of Phoenix's water?
Detected contaminants include Atrazine, Lead, Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM), Consumer Confidence Report Rule. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 5 contaminants above EPA limits, a certified water filter can provide an extra layer of protection. The best type depends on specific contaminants in your water.
How many people does City of Phoenix serve?
City of Phoenix serves approximately 1,695,000 people with drinking water across 95 ZIP codes.
What is City of Phoenix's water source?
City of Phoenix draws water from surface water sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in City of Phoenix's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.0028 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of City of Phoenix's service area?
The City of Phoenix service area has a median household income of $81,919. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does City of Phoenix get its water?
City of Phoenix's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap. Based on violation history and environmental factors, the source contamination risk is currently elevated.

What You Can Do

1

Test your water

Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →

2

Check your specific ZIP code

Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →

3

Contact your utility

City of Phoenix (EPA ID: AZ0407025) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

Home Water Systems Arizona City of Phoenix

Get safety alerts for City of Phoenix, Arizona

Free updates when EPA data changes for this area. No spam.

Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy Policy.

Share This Page

X Facebook
Violations found — check filter options Free tool — no phone call required.