WaterVerge

Is Cameron, AZ Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded D — but Copper was detected above EPA limits. Here's what's in the water and how to remove it. What to do next ↓

2K residents served 2 water systems PWSID: AZ0403006
Overall Score
46 / 100
Violations
47 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#234 of 292 in Arizona Top 89% nationally
Public/Private
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
DGRADE
Water Quality Grade
46/100
waterverge.com
D 46/100

Cameron, AZ — Water Quality Report

Cameron's drinking water received a grade of D (46 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 2,012 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.

The system has 272 violations on record, including 38 health-based violations. 47 remain unresolved.

Data last updated: May 2026 · Source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5
Analysis

What to know about Cameron's water

Cameron ranks #234 out of 292 cities in Arizona for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated in the state.

Cameron relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff.

As a small community water system, Cameron may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

The system has seen 53 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
46 out of 100 Grade D
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
0/45
F
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
16/20
B
Lead at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
8/10
B
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Cameron, AZ water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Cameron's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of D (46/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 2,012 residents using groundwater (wells).

47
Active Violations
0.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
6 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Cameron

A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Cameron's water quality assessment. Grade: D (46/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.

Violation
2 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: Public Notice, Consumer Confidence Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Public Notice.

Disaster
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4620). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Disaster
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3241). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Key contaminant findings

Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Cameron's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 0.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Copper Exceeds Limit
Detected: 1.91 mg/L Limit: 1.3 mg/L (EPA Action Level)

Exceeds EPA action level. Copper can leach from household plumbing — flush taps for 30 seconds before drinking.

Violation history

Cameron's water system has 272 total violations on record, including 38 health-based violations. 47 remain unresolved. 53 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

MROtherRPTTTMONMCL
Most recent violations:
Oct 2025 Lead and Copper Rule Open
Jul 2025 Public Notice Open
Jul 2025 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Dec 2024 Public Notice Open
Oct 2024 LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS Open

Flood & environmental risk

Coconino County has experienced 6 federally declared disasters since 1970. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies.

SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-4620
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA DR-3241
SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES & FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-977

Where does Cameron's water come from?

Cameron's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 2 water systems serving approximately 2,012 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.

What Cameron residents can do

Install a water filter

Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Cameron's water.

Request your utility's CCR

Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.

Monitor alerts during storms

Cameron's area has a history of flooding. After severe weather, watch for boil water advisories from your local utility.

Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.

Contaminant Alerts

Top contaminants to know

View all ↓
Lead (90th percentile)
Inorganic / Heavy Metal
Safe
0.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 0% of limit
Safe Level
Copper (90th percentile)
Inorganic
Over Limit
1.91 mg/L
EPA Action Level: 1.3 mg/L · +20% over limit
Exceeds Limit
Compliance Record

Violation summary

272
Total violations
38
Health-based
47
Active / unresolved
Oct 2025
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

272 Total
47 Active
38 Health-based
225 Resolved
17 SNC
Violations by category
Volatile Organic Chemicals
69
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
47
Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
42
Synthetic Organic Chemicals
31
Total Coliform Rule
21
Oct 2025 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 2025 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Jul 2025 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Dec 2024 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Oct 2024 Active
LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS
Reporting
Reporting 0
Oct 2024 Active
LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Oct 2024 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 2024 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Apr 2024 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Apr 2024 Active
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Reporting
Reporting 0
Jan 2024 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Jan 2024 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Oct 2023 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Oct 2023 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Sep 2023 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Jul 2023 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Jul 2023 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Jul 2023 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
May 2023 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
May 2023 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Showing 20 of 272 violations
Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D2 — severe drought

Coconino County is currently in D2 (severe drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). Drought can elevate disinfection-byproduct (TTHM/HAA5) levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.

7
Weeks at D2+ (current streak)
54.9%
Months in D2+ (last 30y)
7
Weeks at D2+ (last 5y)

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

6
Declared disasters
Sep 2021
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Coconino County has experienced 6 federally declared disasters since 1970. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Sep 2021
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #4620
Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3241
Jan 1993
SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #977
Dec 1990
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #884
Mar 1978
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #551
Sep 1970
HEAVY RAINS & FLASH
Flood FEMA #294

Recommended water filters

Based on contaminants detected in Cameron's water supply, we recommend the following filter types.

🔧
For Copper
Reverse Osmosis or KDF Filter
Copper exceeds the EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 0.0 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Copper (90th percentile) 1.91 1.3 mg/L Inorganic Over Limit
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 15 ppb
Lead has decreased by 2.0 ppb from 1993 (2.0 ppb) to 2025 (0.0 ppb).

Copper level (90th percentile)

Latest reading: 1.910 mg/L (2021)

EPA action level: 1.3 mg/L

Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Public/Private
Population Served
2,012
Water Systems
2
Water Source

Where Cameron's water comes from

Groundwater

Cameron's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.

Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals.

Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds.

The system is operated by public/private ownership and serves approximately 2,012 people through 2 water systems.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Cameron

System Name PWSID Population Source
CAMERON TRADING POST AZ0403006 1,270 GW
Cameron NTUA NN0403010 742 GW
Regional Comparison

How Cameron compares

Full Arizona rankings →

Cameron's score of 46/100 is on par with the average of 42/100 among major Arizona cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.

Cameron (this city)
46
Phoenix
37.5
Tucson
38.1
Mesa
40.6
Chandler
40.5
Gilbert
34.8
Arizona avg
42
City Profile

About Cameron, AZ

Wikipedia →

Cameron is a census-designated place (CDP) in Coconino County, Arizona, United States, on the Navajo Nation. The population was 885 at the 2010 census. Most of the town's economy is tourist food and craft stalls, restaurants, and other services for north–south traffic from Flagstaff and Page. There is a ranger station supplying information and hiking permits for the Navajo Nation. There is also a large craft store run by the Nation itself. It is named after Ralph H. Cameron, one of the two senators first appointed to U.S. Congress for Arizona, upon its federal recognition of statehood.

Economic Profile
$38,750
Median Income
$62,948
Median Home Value
$733/mo
Median Rent
18.8%
Unemployment
Community
39.3
Median Age
16
People / sq mi
6.3%
College Educated
85.5%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Cameron, AZ tap water safe to drink?

Cameron's water quality earned a grade of D (46/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #234 out of 292 cities tested in Arizona.

What contaminants are in Cameron's water?

Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 272 violations are on record.

How is Cameron's water quality grade calculated?

The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.

Do I need a water filter in Cameron?

Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.

Where does Cameron's water come from?

Cameron's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 2,012 residents.

What health violations has Cameron's water system had?

Cameron has 38 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 47 violations remain unresolved.

Is Cameron's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Cameron uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 272 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.

How does Cameron's water compare to other cities?

Cameron ranks #234 out of 292 cities in Arizona (better than 20% of state cities) and #14022 out of 15744 cities nationally (11th percentile). The grade of D reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.