WaterVerge

Is Huerfano, AZ Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded A, with 2 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

1K residents served 1 water system PWSID: NN3503063
Overall Score
92 / 100
Violations
2 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Purchased surface water
#34 of 292 in Arizona Top 9% nationally
Native American
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
AGRADE
Water Quality Grade
92/100
waterverge.com
A 92/100

Huerfano, AZ — Water Quality Report

Huerfano's drinking water received a grade of A (92 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,142 residents using purchased surface water.

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 70 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Huerfano's water

Huerfano ranks #34 out of 292 cities in Arizona for water quality, placing it above average 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, Huerfano may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
92 out of 100 Grade A
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
41/45
A
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
4/5
B
Water source: Purchased surface water.
Water Safety

Is Huerfano, AZ water safe to drink?

Use Caution

Huerfano's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A (92/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,142 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).

2
Active Violations
1.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
6 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Huerfano

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Huerfano's water quality assessment. Grade: A (92/100).

Disaster
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING

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

Violation
2 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), TTHM.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).

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 Huerfano's water supply.

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

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Huerfano's water system has 70 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.

MR
Most recent violations:
Jan 2020 Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Resolved
Jan 2020 TTHM Resolved
Oct 2013 Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule Open
Dec 2012 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
Nov 2012 Coliform (TCR) Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Apache 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 Huerfano's water come from?

Huerfano's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,142 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment.

What Huerfano residents can do

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

Huerfano'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

70
Total violations
0
Health-based
2
Active / unresolved
Jan 2020
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

70 Total
2 Active
0 Health-based
68 Resolved
Violations by category
Synthetic Organic Chemicals
30
Volatile Organic Chemicals
21
Inorganic Chemicals
11
Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
3
Total Coliform Rule
2
Oct 2013 Active
Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Jan 2020 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2020
Jan 2020 Resolved
TTHM
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2020
Dec 2012 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2012
Nov 2012 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Nov 2012
Jan 2011 Resolved
Fluoride
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2013
Jan 2010 Resolved
Nitrite
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2010
Jan 2008 Resolved
1,1-Dichloroethylene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2010
Jan 2008 Resolved
trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2010
Jan 2008 Resolved
1,1,1-Trichloroethane
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2010
Jan 2008 Resolved
1,2-Dichloropropane
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2010
Jan 2008 Resolved
Trichloroethylene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2010
Jan 2008 Resolved
1,1,2-Trichloroethane
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2010
Jan 2008 Resolved
Tetrachloroethylene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2010
Jan 2008 Resolved
CHLOROBENZENE
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2010
Jan 2008 Resolved
Toluene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2010
Jan 2008 Resolved
Ethylbenzene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2010
Jan 2008 Resolved
Styrene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2010
Jan 2008 Resolved
Cadmium
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2010
Showing 20 of 70 violations
Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

6
Declared disasters
Sep 2021
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Apache 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
Oct 1983
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #691
Mar 1978
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #551
Sep 1970
HEAVY RAINS & FLASH
Flood FEMA #294

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 1993 (5.0 ppb) to 2025 (1.0 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Purchased Surface Water
Operator
Native American
Population Served
1,142
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Huerfano's water comes from

Purchased Surface Water

Huerfano'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 native american ownership and serves approximately 1,142 people through 1 water system.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Huerfano

System Name PWSID Population Source
Carson-Huerfano NTUA NN3503063 1,142 SWP
Regional Comparison

How Huerfano compares

Full Arizona rankings →

Huerfano's score of 92/100 is above the average of 42/100 among major Arizona cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.

Huerfano (this city)
92
Phoenix
37.5
Tucson
38.1
Mesa
40.6
Chandler
40.5
Gilbert
34.8
Arizona avg
42
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Frequently asked questions

Is Huerfano, AZ tap water safe to drink?

Huerfano's water quality earned a grade of A (92/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #34 out of 292 cities tested in Arizona.

What contaminants are in Huerfano's water?

Lead was measured at 1.0 ppb (90th percentile). 70 violations are on record.

How is Huerfano'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 Huerfano?

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

Where does Huerfano's water come from?

Huerfano's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,142 residents.

How does Huerfano's water compare to other cities?

Huerfano ranks #34 out of 292 cities in Arizona (better than 88% of state cities) and #1420 out of 15744 cities nationally (91th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Huerfano's small water system affect quality?

Huerfano's system serves approximately 1,142 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 70 violations on record.