WaterVerge

Is Linden, AZ Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded C-, with 63 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

1K residents served 3 water systems PWSID: AZ0409090
Overall Score
58.7 / 100
Violations
63 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#166 of 292 in Arizona Top 78% nationally
Private
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
C-GRADE
Water Quality Grade
58.7/100
waterverge.com
C- 58.7/100

Linden, AZ — Water Quality Report

Linden's drinking water received a grade of C- (58.7 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 3 water systems serve approximately 1,210 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 250 violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 63 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Linden's water

Linden ranks #166 out of 292 cities in Arizona for water quality, placing it below average in the state.

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

The system has seen 10 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
58.7 out of 100 Grade C-
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
11.7/45
F
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
5/10
D
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Linden, AZ water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Linden's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of C- (58.7/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 3 water systems serve approximately 1,210 residents using groundwater (wells).

63
Active Violations
0.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
10 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Linden

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Linden's water quality assessment. Grade: C- (58.7/100).

Violation
2 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS, Consumer Confidence Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.

Violation
2 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.

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 Linden's water supply.

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

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Linden's water system has 250 total violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 63 remain unresolved. 10 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

RPTOtherMRMCLMON
Most recent violations:
Jul 2025 LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS Open
Jul 2025 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Oct 2023 Lead and Copper Rule Open
Jan 2023 Lead and Copper Rule Open
Jan 2023 Lead and Copper Rule Open

Flood & environmental risk

Maricopa County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 1966. 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-4203
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA DR-3241
SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES & FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-977

Where does Linden's water come from?

Linden's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 3 water systems serving approximately 1,210 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.

What Linden residents can do

Install a water filter

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

Linden'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
Compliance Record

Violation summary

250
Total violations
3
Health-based
63
Active / unresolved
Jul 2025
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

250 Total
63 Active
3 Health-based
187 Resolved
Violations by category
Volatile Organic Chemicals
58
Consumer Confidence Rule
36
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
31
Synthetic Organic Chemicals
30
Total Coliform Rule
29
Jul 2025 Active
LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS
Reporting
Reporting 0
Jul 2025 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Oct 2023 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jan 2023 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jan 2023 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 2022 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Nov 2021 Active
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Reporting
Reporting 0
Oct 2021 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2020 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jan 2020 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 2019 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Mar 2019 Active
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Reporting
Reporting 0
Oct 2018 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Oct 2018 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Aug 2018 Active
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Reporting
Reporting 0
Jul 2018 Active
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Reporting
Reporting 0
Jul 2018 Active
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Reporting
Reporting 0
Dec 2017 Active
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Reporting
Reporting 0
Oct 2017 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Oct 2017 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Showing 20 of 250 violations
Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D2 — severe drought

Navajo 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.

14
Weeks at D2+ (current streak)
56.7%
Months in D2+ (last 30y)
14
Weeks at D2+ (last 5y)

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

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

10
Declared disasters
Nov 2014
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Maricopa County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 1966. 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
Jan 1993
SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #977
Dec 1990
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #884
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) 0.0 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 16.0 ppb from 2004 (16.0 ppb) to 2025 (0.0 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Private
Population Served
1,210
Water Systems
3
Water Source

Where Linden's water comes from

Groundwater

Linden'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 private ownership and serves approximately 1,210 people through 3 water systems.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Linden

System Name PWSID Population Source
MOUNTAIN GLEN WATER SERVIC LINDEN TRAILS AZ0409090 975 GW
NAVAJO WATER - CHAPARRAL PINES AZ0409039 198 GW
AMERICAN INDIAN CHRISTIAN MISSION AZ0409074 37 GW
Regional Comparison

How Linden compares

Full Arizona rankings →

Linden's score of 58.7/100 is above the average of 42/100 among major Arizona cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.

Linden (this city)
58.7
Phoenix
37.5
Tucson
38.1
Mesa
40.6
Chandler
40.5
Gilbert
34.8
Arizona avg
42
City Profile

About Linden, AZ

Wikipedia →

Glendale is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. Located about nine miles northwest of the state capital, as a suburb of Phoenix, Glendale is known for State Farm Stadium, which is the home of the Arizona Cardinals football team. The city also contains the Arrowhead Towne Center shopping mall. As of the 2020 census, Glendale had a population of 248,325.

Economic Profile
$79,531
Median Income
$361,085
Median Home Value
4.1%
Unemployment
Community
57.6
Median Age
31
People / sq mi
21%
College Educated
90.6%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Linden, AZ tap water safe to drink?

Linden's water quality earned a grade of C- (58.7/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #166 out of 292 cities tested in Arizona.

What contaminants are in Linden's water?

Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 250 violations are on record.

How is Linden'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 Linden?

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

Where does Linden's water come from?

Linden's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 3 water systems serving approximately 1,210 residents.

What health violations has Linden's water system had?

Linden has 3 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 63 violations remain unresolved.

Is Linden's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Linden 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 250 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 Linden's water compare to other cities?

Linden ranks #166 out of 292 cities in Arizona (better than 43% of state cities) and #12257 out of 15744 cities nationally (22th percentile). The grade of C- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.