WaterVerge

Is Cibecue, AZ Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded B-, with 7 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

3K residents served 1 water system PWSID: 090400243
Overall Score
70.5 / 100
Violations
7 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#149 of 292 in Arizona Top 68% nationally
Native American
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
B-GRADE
Water Quality Grade
70.5/100
waterverge.com
B- 70.5/100

Cibecue, AZ — Water Quality Report

Cibecue's drinking water received a grade of B- (70.5 out of 100), indicating fair water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,590 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 1.0 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 143 violations on record, including 4 health-based violations. 7 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Cibecue's water

Cibecue ranks #149 out of 292 cities in Arizona for water quality, placing it below average in the state.

Cibecue 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, Cibecue may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
70.5 out of 100 Grade B-
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
18.5/45
F
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 1.0 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
10/10
A
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Cibecue, AZ water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Cibecue's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B- (70.5/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,590 residents using groundwater (wells).

7
Active Violations
1.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
8 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Cibecue

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Cibecue's water quality assessment. Grade: B- (70.5/100).

Violation
2 drinking water violations recorded

2 health-based. Contaminants: Groundwater Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS.

Violation
2 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), TTHM.

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 Cibecue's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 1.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Cibecue's water system has 143 total violations on record, including 4 health-based violations. 7 remain unresolved. 5 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

TTMRMONMCLOther
Most recent violations:
Mar 2025 Groundwater Rule Open
Mar 2025 Groundwater Rule Open
Oct 2024 LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS Open
Jan 2023 Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Resolved
Jan 2023 TTHM Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Navajo County has experienced 8 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. Local water sources include N-Fork White River, East Fork White River.

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 Cibecue's water come from?

Cibecue's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 2,590 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include N-Fork White River (river), East Fork White River (river).

What Cibecue residents can do

Install a water filter

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

Cibecue'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
1.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 7% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

143
Total violations
4
Health-based
7
Active / unresolved
Mar 2025
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

143 Total
7 Active
4 Health-based
136 Resolved
2 SNC
Violations by category
Total Coliform Rule
63
Synthetic Organic Chemicals
30
Volatile Organic Chemicals
21
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
8
Nitrate Rule
7
Mar 2025 Active
Groundwater Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Mar 2025 Active
Groundwater Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Oct 2024 Active
LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Jul 2004 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2002 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2001 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Jan 2023 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Monitoring & Reporting
SNC Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2023
Jan 2023 Resolved
TTHM
Monitoring & Reporting
SNC Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2023
Aug 2016 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Monitoring
Monitoring Resolved Aug 2016
Sep 2015 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 2015
Nov 2012 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Nov 2012
Jul 2008 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Jul 2008
Jan 2008 Resolved
Combined Uranium
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 2008
Oct 2007 Resolved
Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2007
Oct 2007 Resolved
Combined Radium (-226 and -228)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2007
Oct 2007 Resolved
Combined Uranium
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2007
Apr 2007 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Apr 2007
Mar 2007 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 2007
Feb 2007 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Feb 2007
Showing 20 of 143 violations
Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

8
Declared disasters
Sep 2021
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Navajo County has experienced 8 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
Oct 1983
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #691
Feb 1980
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #614
Dec 1978
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #570

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 1.0 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 15 ppb
Lead has decreased by 4.0 ppb from 1994 (5.0 ppb) to 2025 (1.0 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Native American
Population Served
2,590
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Cibecue's water comes from

Groundwater

Cibecue'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 native american ownership and serves approximately 2,590 people through 1 water system.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Cibecue

Cibecue is located near 2 notable water bodies. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.

N-Fork White River
river
East Fork White River
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Cibecue

System Name PWSID Population Source
WMATUA Cibecue 090400243 2,590 GW
Regional Comparison

How Cibecue compares

Full Arizona rankings →

Cibecue's score of 70.5/100 is above the average of 42/100 among major Arizona cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.

Cibecue (this city)
70.5
Phoenix
37.5
Tucson
38.1
Mesa
40.6
Chandler
40.5
Gilbert
34.8
Arizona avg
42
City Profile

About Cibecue, AZ

Economic Profile
$18,250
Median Income
$548/mo
Median Rent
16.3%
Unemployment
Community
25.1
Median Age
92
People / sq mi
3.1%
College Educated
45.7%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Cibecue, AZ tap water safe to drink?

Cibecue's water quality earned a grade of B- (70.5/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #149 out of 292 cities tested in Arizona.

What contaminants are in Cibecue's water?

Lead was measured at 1.0 ppb (90th percentile). 143 violations are on record.

How is Cibecue'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 Cibecue?

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

Where does Cibecue's water come from?

Cibecue's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 2,590 residents.

What health violations has Cibecue's water system had?

Cibecue has 4 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in March 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 7 violations remain unresolved.

Is Cibecue's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Cibecue 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 143 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 Cibecue's water compare to other cities?

Cibecue ranks #149 out of 292 cities in Arizona (better than 49% of state cities) and #10728 out of 15744 cities nationally (32th percentile). The grade of B- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Cibecue's small water system affect quality?

Cibecue's system serves approximately 2,590 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 143 violations on record.