01The verdict: is Red Rock water safe?
Red Rock's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of D+ (53.5/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 3 water systems serve approximately 3,813 residents using groundwater (wells).
Chlorate is over its legal limit
Measured at 222.0 µg/L against the EPA Lifetime HA of 210 µg/L. The ledger below shows how far over — and which filter removes it.
See the measurement ↓Lead is well under the limit
90th-percentile lead is 0.0 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓24 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 ↓Red Rock's drinking water received a grade of D+ (53.5 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 3 water systems serve approximately 3,813 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 87 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 31 remain unresolved.
Red Rock ranks #170 out of 271 cities in Arizona for water quality, placing it below average in the state. Red Rock 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 1.15 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. The system has seen 24 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
02What's in Red Rock's water
Every contaminant flagged in Red Rock, 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. | 0.0 | 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
03Red Rock'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 87 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 31 remain unresolved.
1 of the last ten years was clean. The numbered years had EPA violations — red when any were health-based, amber when they were paperwork or missed-testing issues.
▼ Down 2 ppb since 2002. Latest reading: 0 ppb (2025) — 0% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Red Rock's water comes from
Red Rock's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater
Underground aquifers reached by wells — naturally filtered, but can carry minerals like arsenic and nitrate.
Local treatment
Groundwater generally needs less treatment — typically disinfection and, where needed, mineral removal.
3 systems
3 water systems, operated under public/private ownership.
3,813 people
Residents served across Red Rock's service area.
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 public/private ownership and serves approximately 3,813 people through 3 water systems.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| GW SANTA CRUZ WATER CO - RED ROCK | AZ0411160 | 3,813 | Groundwater |
| PICACHO PEAK RV RESORT | AZ0411547 | 400 | Purchased Groundwater |
| DAVIS RANCH LAND OWNERS | AZ0411090 | 40 | Groundwater |
Water bodies near Red Rock
These water bodies shape the regional watershed and can indirectly affect groundwater quality.
05Pressure on Red Rock'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.
Flood & storm history
7 federal disaster declarations on record for Pinal County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
Superfund proximity
1 National Priorities List site within 10 miles. Proximity does not necessarily indicate tap-water contamination — the connection depends on hydrology and treatment.
Drought
Pinal County is in D2 (severe 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 Red Rock compares
Scores for nearby Arizona cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Arizona average (41/100)
Red Rock scores 53.5/100 — 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 Red Rock's water — not generic advice.
A basic carbon filter still helps
Red Rock'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 Red Rock alerts
This area has a history of flood declarations — after severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories from the utility, and check the live alerts on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is Red Rock, AZ tap water safe to drink?
Red Rock's water quality earned a grade of D+ (53.5/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #170 out of 271 cities tested in Arizona.
What contaminants are in Red Rock's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 87 violations are on record.
How is Red Rock'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 Red Rock?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Red Rock's water come from?
Red Rock's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 3 water systems serving approximately 3,813 residents.
What health violations has Red Rock's water system had?
Red Rock has 1 health-based violation on record. The most recent violation was recorded in November 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 31 violations remain unresolved.
Is Red Rock's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Red Rock 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 87 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 Red Rock's water compare to other cities?
Red Rock ranks #170 out of 271 cities in Arizona (better than 37% of state cities) and #12456 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.