WaterVerge

Is Ehrenberg, AZ Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded B, with 16 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

989 residents served 1 water system PWSID: AZ0415497
Overall Score
77.1 / 100
Violations
16 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Surface water
#132 of 292 in Arizona Top 58% nationally
Private
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
BGRADE
Water Quality Grade
77.1/100
waterverge.com
B 77.1/100

Ehrenberg, AZ — Water Quality Report

Ehrenberg's drinking water received a grade of B (77.1 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 989 residents using surface water.

Lead levels were measured at 1.5 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 196 violations on record, including 5 health-based violations. 16 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Ehrenberg's water

Ehrenberg ranks #132 out of 292 cities in Arizona for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.

The city draws from surface water sources, which are more susceptible to seasonal runoff and agricultural contamination, requiring extensive multi-barrier treatment including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection.

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

The system has seen 8 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
77.1 out of 100 Grade B
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
28.1/45
C
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 1.5 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
8/10
B
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
4/5
B
Water source: Surface water.
Water Safety

Is Ehrenberg, AZ water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Ehrenberg's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B (77.1/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 989 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).

16
Active Violations
1.5 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
3 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Ehrenberg

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Ehrenberg's water quality assessment. Grade: B (77.1/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Chlorine.

Violation
3 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: TTHM, Chlorine, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Public Notice.

Disaster
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4203). 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 Ehrenberg's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 1.5 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Ehrenberg's water system has 196 total violations on record, including 5 health-based violations. 16 remain unresolved. 8 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

MROtherMCLTT
Most recent violations:
Aug 2024 Chlorine Resolved
Apr 2023 TTHM Resolved
Apr 2023 Chlorine Resolved
Apr 2023 Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Resolved
Oct 2022 Public Notice Open

Flood & environmental risk

La Paz County has experienced 3 federally declared disasters since 1983. 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 Palo Verde Canal, Palo Verde Drain, Crir Lwr Main Drain, Colorado River Below Palo Verde Dam, Az-Ca, Pvid F-Canal Spill.

SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-4203
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA DR-3241
FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-686

Where does Ehrenberg's water come from?

Ehrenberg's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 989 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment. Nearby water bodies include Palo Verde Canal (stream), Palo Verde Drain (river), Crir Lwr Main Drain (river), Colorado River Below Palo Verde Dam, Az-Ca (river), Pvid F-Canal Spill (stream).

What Ehrenberg residents can do

Install a water filter

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

Ehrenberg'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
1.5 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 10% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

196
Total violations
5
Health-based
16
Active / unresolved
Aug 2024
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

196 Total
16 Active
5 Health-based
180 Resolved
1 SNC
Violations by category
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
61
Total Coliform Rule
44
Synthetic Organic Chemicals
35
Inorganic Chemicals
18
Consumer Confidence Rule
11
Oct 2022 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Oct 2017 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Oct 2015 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Oct 2014 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Oct 2011 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2011 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Oct 2010 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 2010 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2009 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2008 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2007 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2006 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2005 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2004 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2002 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Aug 2024 Resolved
Chlorine
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Aug 2024
Apr 2023 Resolved
TTHM
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2023
Apr 2023 Resolved
Chlorine
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2023
Apr 2023 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2023
Showing 20 of 196 violations
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Ehrenberg

Industrial polluters nearby

Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Ehrenberg, ranked by pounds discharged annually.

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
MORGAN TRUCK BODY LLC MAZ EHRENBERG
Transportation Equipment · JB POINDEXTER & CO INC
EHRENBERG, AZ85334
2.6 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D2 — severe drought

La Paz 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.

3
Weeks at D2+ (current streak)
33.2%
Months in D2+ (last 30y)
3
Weeks at D2+ (last 5y)

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

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

3
Declared disasters
Nov 2014
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

La Paz County has experienced 3 federally declared disasters since 1983. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Nov 2014
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #4203
Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3241
Jul 1983
FLOODING
Flood FEMA #686

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 1.5 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 2.5 ppb from 2002 (4.0 ppb) to 2023 (1.5 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Surface Water
Operator
Private
Population Served
989
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Ehrenberg's water comes from

Surface Water

Ehrenberg's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.

Surface water systems require multi-stage treatment including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards.

These sources can be impacted by seasonal changes, stormwater runoff, upstream agriculture, and industrial discharge.

The system is operated by private ownership and serves approximately 989 people through 1 water system.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Ehrenberg

Ehrenberg is located near 5 notable water bodies. As a surface water system, these water bodies may directly influence the city's drinking water supply.

Palo Verde Canal
stream
Palo Verde Drain
river
Crir Lwr Main Drain
river
Colorado River Below Palo Verde Dam, Az-Ca
river
Pvid F-Canal Spill
stream
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Ehrenberg

System Name PWSID Population Source
EHRENBERG IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT AZ0415497 989 SW
Regional Comparison

How Ehrenberg compares

Full Arizona rankings →

Ehrenberg's score of 77.1/100 is above the average of 42/100 among major Arizona cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.

Ehrenberg (this city)
77.1
Phoenix
37.5
Tucson
38.1
Mesa
40.6
Chandler
40.5
Gilbert
34.8
Arizona avg
42
City Profile

About Ehrenberg, AZ

Wikipedia →

Ehrenberg, also historically spelled "Ehrenburg", is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in La Paz County, Arizona, United States. The population was 1,470 at the 2010 census. Ehrenberg is named for its founder, Herman Ehrenberg.

Economic Profile
$37,180
Median Income
$665/mo
Median Rent
9.7%
Unemployment
Community
30.4
Median Age
33
People / sq mi
3.7%
College Educated
47.2%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Ehrenberg, AZ tap water safe to drink?

Ehrenberg's water quality earned a grade of B (77.1/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #132 out of 292 cities tested in Arizona.

What contaminants are in Ehrenberg's water?

Lead was measured at 1.5 ppb (90th percentile). 196 violations are on record.

How is Ehrenberg'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 Ehrenberg?

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

Where does Ehrenberg's water come from?

Ehrenberg's water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 989 residents.

What health violations has Ehrenberg's water system had?

Ehrenberg has 5 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in August 2024. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 16 violations remain unresolved.

How does Ehrenberg's water compare to other cities?

Ehrenberg ranks #132 out of 292 cities in Arizona (better than 55% of state cities) and #9109 out of 15744 cities nationally (42th percentile). The grade of B reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Ehrenberg's small water system affect quality?

Ehrenberg's system serves approximately 989 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 196 violations on record.