01The verdict: is Nageezi water safe?
Nageezi's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of D+ (52.6/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 763 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
60 unresolved violations on record
EPA records show open compliance items for this system. Most are administrative, but unresolved items are worth watching.
See what was cited ↓Lead is well under the limit
90th-percentile lead is 2.5 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓10 violations in the last five years
Recent compliance history is the best predictor of future problems — the year-by-year record is below.
See the record ↓Nageezi's drinking water received a grade of D+ (52.6 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 763 residents using purchased surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 2.5 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 157 violations on record, including 21 health-based violations. 60 remain unresolved.
Nageezi ranks #172 out of 271 cities in Arizona for water quality, placing it below 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, Nageezi 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.
02What's in Nageezi's water
Every contaminant flagged in Nageezi, on one shared scale: distance to its own legal limit. The red line is the limit — anything past it is out of compliance, and the closer a bar gets, the less headroom the system has.
Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 2.5 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile lead PF PFAS in Arizona
Cities ranked by compounds detected Cu Copper in Arizona
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile copper
03Nageezi's ten-year track record
Each box is one year. A green check means no EPA violations; a numbered badge counts that year's violations — red if any were health-based, amber if they were monitoring or paperwork issues. The system has 157 violations on record, including 21 health-based violations. 60 remain unresolved.
2 of the last ten years were clean. The numbered years had EPA violations — red when any were health-based, amber when they were paperwork or missed-testing issues.
▲ Up 1.5 ppb since 1994. Latest reading: 2.5 ppb (2025) — 17% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Nageezi's water comes from
Nageezi's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Purchased Surface Water
Rivers, lakes, or reservoirs — more exposed to runoff, agriculture, and seasonal swings than groundwater.
Wholesale supplier
Multi-barrier treatment: coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA standards.
2 systems
2 water systems, operated under native american ownership.
763 people
Residents served across Nageezi's service area.
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 763 people through 2 water systems.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nageezi NTUA | NN3500296 | 763 | Purchased Surface Water |
| LYBROOK MDWCA | NM3533021 | 175 | Groundwater |
05Pressure on Nageezi's watershed
Outside forces that shape what reaches the treatment plant. None of these is a verdict on the tap by itself — but each adds pressure worth knowing about.
Drought
Rio Arriba County is in D3 (extreme drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of Jul 2026). Drought can raise disinfection-byproduct levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.
06How Nageezi compares
Scores for nearby Arizona cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Arizona average (41/100)
Nageezi scores 52.6/100 — above the Arizona average of 41/100. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities. Full Arizona rankings →
37.5 / 100FTucson, AZ
38.1 / 100FMesa, AZ
40.6 / 100FChandler, AZ
40.5 / 100FGilbert, AZ
34.8 / 100FScottsdale, AZ
43 / 100
Compare all cities in the county — grades, violations, and contaminant data side by side.→
07What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Nageezi's water — not generic advice.
A basic carbon filter still helps
Nageezi's water meets federal standards, but a simple carbon filter improves taste and adds a margin of safety against short-term issues.
Compare tested filters →Read your utility's annual report
Every utility must publish a yearly Consumer Confidence Report with its own testing results. It pairs well with the independent data on this page.
How to read a CCR →Watch for Nageezi alerts
We refresh EPA data monthly and surface new violations, advisories, and boil-water notices for your county on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is Nageezi, AZ tap water safe to drink?
Nageezi's water quality earned a grade of D+ (52.6/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #172 out of 271 cities tested in Arizona.
What contaminants are in Nageezi's water?
Lead was measured at 2.5 ppb (90th percentile). 157 violations are on record.
How is Nageezi'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 Nageezi?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Nageezi's water come from?
Nageezi's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 763 residents.
What health violations has Nageezi's water system had?
Nageezi has 21 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. 60 violations remain unresolved.
How does Nageezi's water compare to other cities?
Nageezi ranks #172 out of 271 cities in Arizona (better than 37% of state cities) and #12531 out of 15382 cities nationally (19th percentile). The grade of D+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.