WaterVerge

Is Kaibeto, AZ Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded B — but 1,4-Dioxane 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: NN0400348
Overall Score
77.4 / 100
Violations
13 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#131 of 292 in Arizona Top 57% nationally
Native American
High data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
BGRADE
Water Quality Grade
77.4/100
waterverge.com
B 77.4/100

Kaibeto, AZ — Water Quality Report

Kaibeto's drinking water received a grade of B (77.4 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 1,990 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 1.1 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 153 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 13 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Kaibeto's water

Kaibeto ranks #131 out of 292 cities in Arizona for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.

Kaibeto 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.

Hexavalent chromium (chromium-6) was detected at 0.45 µg/L in UCMR 3 testing. While below California's 10 µg/L limit and with no federal MCL set, residents sensitive to this contaminant may consider reverse osmosis filtration.

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

The system has seen 6 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
77.4 out of 100 Grade B
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
29.8/45
C
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 1.1 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
14.6/20
C
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 Kaibeto, AZ water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Kaibeto's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B (77.4/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 1,990 residents using groundwater (wells).

13
Active Violations
1.1 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
6 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Kaibeto

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Kaibeto's water quality assessment. Grade: B (77.4/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: E. COLI.

Violation
3 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: Nitrate, Revised Total Coliform Rule, Nitrite.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.

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 Kaibeto's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 1.1 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Kaibeto's water system has 153 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 13 remain unresolved. 6 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

MRRPTOther
Most recent violations:
Jul 2024 E. COLI Open
Jan 2024 Nitrate Resolved
Jan 2024 Revised Total Coliform Rule Open
Jan 2024 Nitrite Resolved
Oct 2023 Revised Total Coliform Rule Open

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 Kaibeto's water come from?

Kaibeto's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 2 water systems serving approximately 1,990 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.

What Kaibeto residents can do

Install a water filter

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

Kaibeto'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
1.1 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 7% of limit
Safe Level
Chromium-6 (Hexavalent Chromium)
Inorganic
Detected
0.45 µg/L
CA MCL (no federal MCL): 10 µg/L · 5% of limit
DetectedUCMR 3 Data
Strontium
Inorganic
Detected
160.0 µg/L
EPA Health Ref Level: 1,500 µg/L · 11% of limit
DetectedUCMR 3 Data
1,4-Dioxane
Organic
Over HA
0.59 µg/L
EPA Health Advisory: 0.35 µg/L · +20% over limit
Over Health AdvisoryUCMR 3 Data
Vanadium
Inorganic
Detected
6.60 µg/L
EPA Short-term HA: 21 µg/L · 31% of limit
DetectedUCMR 3 Data
Compliance Record

Violation summary

153
Total violations
0
Health-based
13
Active / unresolved
Jul 2024
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

153 Total
13 Active
0 Health-based
140 Resolved
Violations by category
Synthetic Organic Chemicals
63
Volatile Organic Chemicals
63
Revised Total Coliform Rule
5
Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
4
Nitrate Rule
3
Jul 2024 Active
E. COLI
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jan 2024 Active
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Reporting
Reporting 0
Oct 2023 Active
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Reporting
Reporting 0
Oct 2022 Active
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Reporting
Reporting 0
May 2020 Active
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Reporting
Reporting 0
Apr 2016 Active
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Other Violation 0
Oct 2013 Active
Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Oct 2013 Active
Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 2006 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2005 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jan 2004 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Jan 2024 Resolved
Nitrate
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2024
Jan 2024 Resolved
Nitrite
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2024
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
Dec 2012 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2012
Nov 2012 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Nov 2012
Showing 20 of 153 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) 1.1 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 4.9 ppb from 1994 (6.0 ppb) to 2025 (1.1 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Native American
Population Served
1,990
Water Systems
2
Water Source

Where Kaibeto's water comes from

Groundwater

Kaibeto'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 1,990 people through 2 water systems.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Kaibeto

System Name PWSID Population Source
Kaibeto NTUA NN0400348 1,590 GW
Kaibeto (Upper) Boarding School BIA NN0433007 400 GW
Regional Comparison

How Kaibeto compares

Full Arizona rankings →

Kaibeto's score of 77.4/100 is above the average of 42/100 among major Arizona cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.

Kaibeto (this city)
77.4
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 Kaibeto, AZ tap water safe to drink?

Kaibeto's water quality earned a grade of B (77.4/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #131 out of 292 cities tested in Arizona.

What contaminants are in Kaibeto's water?

Lead was measured at 1.1 ppb (90th percentile). 153 violations are on record.

How is Kaibeto'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 Kaibeto?

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

Where does Kaibeto's water come from?

Kaibeto's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 1,990 residents.

Is Kaibeto's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Kaibeto 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 153 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 Kaibeto's water compare to other cities?

Kaibeto ranks #131 out of 292 cities in Arizona (better than 55% of state cities) and #9006 out of 15744 cities nationally (43th percentile). The grade of B reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.