City of Tucson
EPA ID: AZ0410112 · 732,906 people served · 59 ZIP codes
Tallying the federal enforcement file for City of Tucson yields 71 open violations that have not been formally closed — each finding sits in the EPA database while the utility continues to deliver water to approximately 732,906 residents and works through the required corrective action process.
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02
Compliance Trajectory
Worsening · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months
Violations went from 2 (2021) to 58 (2024). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.
Service Area Map
Coverage area for City of Tucson Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade D
Service Area Demographics
The City of Tucson serves a community with a median household income of $69,929 and an estimated 993,074 residents across its service area. Approximately 47% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
Environmental Justice Note: 39% of the population in this service area is classified as disadvantaged under EPA's EJScreen criteria. Communities with higher disadvantaged populations often face disproportionate environmental and health burdens, including aging water infrastructure and limited resources for remediation.
💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?
City of Tucson's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table.
About 1% of homes in Pima 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
Detected Contaminants
How City of Tucson compares to EPA limits
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 8 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.
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) at 11 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.06 mg/L. Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) at 9 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 44 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. 68 detections recorded. 14 exceed federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS). 5 exceed state limits.
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
Estimated Remediation Costs
Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system
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.
System Overview
TUCSON CITY OF (EPA ID: AZ0410112) is a community water system in Arizona that serves approximately 732,906 people from groundwater sources.
This system provides water to 59 ZIP codes across 5 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
Recent Violations
| Date | Contaminant | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 1, 2025 | Revised Total Coliform Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| September 1, 2025 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| September 1, 2025 | E. coli | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| August 19, 2025 | Contaminant 0700 | Health-based | Unresolved |
| August 7, 2025 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| August 1, 2025 | Revised Total Coliform Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| August 1, 2025 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| August 1, 2025 | E. coli | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| August 1, 2025 | Fecal Coliform | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2025 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2025 | Revised Total Coliform Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2025 | Barium | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2025 | E. coli | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2025 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| July 1, 2025 | Fecal Coliform | 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 | 44 | Yes |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Failure | 27 | No |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 21 | No |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Failure | 17 | No |
| E. coli | Microbiological | 15 | No |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 14 | Yes |
| Barium | Inorganic | 12 | Yes |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 11 | Yes |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Failure | 10 | Yes |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Failure | 10 | No |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 9 | No |
| Lead | Inorganic | 8 | Yes |
| Total Organic Carbon | Disinfection Byproducts | 4 | No |
| Contaminant 0700 | Other Violation | 4 | Yes |
| Gross Alpha | Radionuclides | 3 | No |
Health Risk Details
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) (EPA limit: 0.06 mg/L)
Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects At-risk groups: pregnant women, infants, long-term consumers of chlorinated municipal water.
Removal methods: granular activated carbon (GAC), carbon block filter, reverse osmosis. Find the right filter →
Lead (EPA limit: 0.015 mg/L (action level))
Brain damage in children, kidney & blood pressure in adults At-risk groups: infants, children under 6, pregnant women.
Removal methods: reverse osmosis, distillation, certified carbon block filter (NSF/ANSI 53). Find the right filter →
Fluoride (EPA limit: 4 mg/L (secondary standard: 2.0 mg/L))
Tooth & bone damage at high levels At-risk groups: children under 8 during tooth development, elderly with compromised bone density, people with kidney disease.
Removal methods: reverse osmosis, activated alumina, distillation. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 85701 | 0.000649 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 85702 | 0.000649 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 85703 | 0.000649 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 85704 | 0.000649 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 85705 | 0.000649 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 85706 | 0.000649 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 85709 | 0.000649 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 85710 | 0.000649 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 85711 | 0.000649 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 85712 | 0.000649 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 85713 | 0.000649 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 85714 | 0.000649 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 85715 | 0.000649 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 85716 | 0.000649 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 85717 | 0.000649 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 85718 | 0.000649 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 85719 | 0.000649 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 85720 | 0.000649 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 85721 | 0.000649 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 85722 | 0.000649 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 FilterFree tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.
ZIP Codes Served
Coverage: 35 ZIP codes confirmed via EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 plus 24 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 59 ZIP codes:
85634 · 85639 · 85641 · 85653 · 85658 85701 · 85702 · 85703 · 85704 · 85705 85706 · 85707 · 85708 · 85709 · 85710 85711 · 85712 · 85713 · 85714 · 85715 85716 · 85717 · 85718 · 85719 · 85720 85721 · 85722 · 85723 · 85724 · 85725 85726 · 85728 · 85730 · 85731 · 85732 85733 · 85734 · 85735 · 85736 · 85737 85739 · 85740 · 85741 · 85742 · 85743 85744 · 85745 · 85746 · 85747 · 85748 85749 · 85750 · 85751 · 85752 · 85754 85755 · 85756 · 85757 · 85775
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for City of Tucson (AZ0410112) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is City of Tucson water safe to drink?
City of Tucson has recorded 29 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 Tucson serve?
City of Tucson serves approximately 732,906 people across 59 ZIP codes in Arizona.
Where does City of Tucson get its water?
The primary water source is groundwater.
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.
Contact information from Tucson Water 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: Tucson Water Consumer Confidence Report.
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. Treatment and source data are sourced from the utility's published CCR filings.
ADEQ completes source water assessments for Tucson Water drinking water wells. The assessments review the adjacent land uses that may pose a potential risk to the water sources. It classified approximately one-third of the Tucson Water Main Public Water System wells as High Risk.
Treatment regime
How this utility classifies its treatment process and what each reported treatment chemical does.
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.
Watershed exposure sources reported
Land-use and natural conditions identified in the utility's source-water assessment as potential contamination sources upstream of treatment.
Treatment classification and chemical list sourced from Tucson Water 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.
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 →
Tucson Water has identified, located, removed, and replaced over 866 lead water service lines from its water system. In 2016, Tucson Water proactively launched the 'Get the Lead Out' (GTLO) program that identified, located, and removed an additional 142 lead water service lines from the main distribution system. The GTLO program is the foundation of our Lead and Copper Rule Revisions Program. In 2021, Tucson Water began to update and maintain a preliminary inventory of all water service lines to identify the pipe material of both the public and the private portions of the service line in our water service area. To date, no lead service lines have been found.
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.
Tucson Water
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:
Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.
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.
Notable events and violations
This section summarizes events the utility chose to disclose in its most recent Consumer Confidence Report, plus any federal compliance violations the utility recorded against itself. Both lists are utility-authored — ZipCheckup does not audit, judge, or reorder them.
Federal compliance violations on record
These entries are taken verbatim from the utility's CCR violations section. EPA defines four broad violation categories: Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL), Treatment Technique (TT), Monitoring & Reporting (M&R), and Public Notification (PN).
-
monitoring · Heptachlor Epoxide, Heptachlor, Lasso, Methoxychlor, BHC-Gamma, EndrinDate not published
Missed monitoring violation for six SOC parameters from an inoperable well undergoing rehabilitation. Results were all nondetect and reported on March 28, 2025.
Violations record from Tucson Water Consumer Confidence Report.
ZipCheckup note: items above reflect what the utility published in its most recent CCR. Federal violation records are also tracked separately by the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) — the SDWIS record is the authoritative federal source for any specific regulatory action.
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
What You Can Do
Test your water
Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →
Check your specific ZIP code
Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →
Contact your utility
City of Tucson (EPA ID: AZ0410112) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.