Is Sawmill (East And South), Upper Buell Pa, AZ Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A- — but Copper was detected above EPA limits. Here's what's in the water and how to remove it. What to do next ↓
85.6/100
waterverge.com Sawmill (East And South), Upper Buell Pa, AZ — Water Quality Report
Sawmill (East And South), Upper Buell Pa's drinking water received a grade of A- (85.6 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 838 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 1.3 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 17 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 5 remain unresolved.
What to know about Sawmill (East And South), Upper Buell Pa's water
Sawmill (East And South), Upper Buell Pa ranks #83 out of 292 cities in Arizona for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.
Sawmill (East And South), Upper Buell Pa 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, Sawmill (East And South), Upper Buell Pa may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Sawmill (East And South), Upper Buell Pa, AZ water safe to drink?
Sawmill (East And South), Upper Buell Pa's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A- (85.6/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 838 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Sawmill (East And South), Upper Buell Pa
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Sawmill (East And South), Upper Buell Pa's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (85.6/100).
Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4620). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.
Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.
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 Sawmill (East And South), Upper Buell Pa's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Exceeds EPA action level. Copper can leach from household plumbing — flush taps for 30 seconds before drinking.
Violation history
Sawmill (East And South), Upper Buell Pa's water system has 17 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 5 remain unresolved. 1 violation was issued in the last 5 years.
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.
Where does Sawmill (East And South), Upper Buell Pa's water come from?
Sawmill (East And South), Upper Buell Pa's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 838 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.
What Sawmill (East And South), Upper Buell Pa residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Sawmill (East And South), Upper Buell Pa's water.
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.
Sawmill (East And South), Upper Buell Pa'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.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Flood & disaster history
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.
Recommended water filters
Based on contaminants detected in Sawmill (East And South), Upper Buell Pa's water supply, we recommend the following filter types.
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. | 1.3 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
| Copper (90th percentile) CopperInorganic A metal that enters drinking water mainly through corrosion of copper plumbing. Small amounts are essential for health, but excess levels are harmful. Health EffectsGastrointestinal distress (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) at short-term high levels; liver and kidney damage from long-term exposure. EPA Limit1.3 mg/L action level Common SourcesCorrosion of copper household plumbing, erosion of natural deposits. | 1.90 | 1.3 | mg/L | Inorganic | Over Limit |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
Copper level trend (90th percentile)
See how Sawmill (East And South), Upper Buell Pa compares by contaminant
Explore where Sawmill (East And South), Upper Buell Pa ranks among all Arizona cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Sawmill (East And South), Upper Buell Pa's water comes from
Sawmill (East And South), Upper Buell Pa'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 838 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Sawmill (East And South), Upper Buell Pa
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sawmill NTUA | NN0403025 | 838 | GW |
How Sawmill (East And South), Upper Buell Pa compares
Full Arizona rankings →Sawmill (East And South), Upper Buell Pa's score of 85.6/100 is above the average of 42/100 among major Arizona cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Arizona rankings →About Sawmill (East And South), Upper Buell Pa, AZ
Wikipedia →Window Rock, known in Navajo as Tségháhoodzání, is a city and census-designated place that serves as the capital of the Navajo Nation, the largest Native American tribe by both land and tribal enrollment. The capital lies within the boundaries of the St. Michaels Chapter, adjacent to the Arizona and New Mexico state line. Window Rock is the site of the Navajo Nation governmental campus, which contains the Navajo Nation Council, Navajo Nation Supreme Court, the offices of the Navajo Nation President and Vice President, and many Navajo government buildings.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Sawmill (East And South), Upper Buell Pa's water quality findings.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sawmill (East And South), Upper Buell Pa, AZ tap water safe to drink?
Sawmill (East And South), Upper Buell Pa's water quality earned a grade of A- (85.6/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #83 out of 292 cities tested in Arizona.
What contaminants are in Sawmill (East And South), Upper Buell Pa's water?
Lead was measured at 1.3 ppb (90th percentile). 17 violations are on record.
How is Sawmill (East And South), Upper Buell Pa'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 Sawmill (East And South), Upper Buell Pa?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Sawmill (East And South), Upper Buell Pa's water come from?
Sawmill (East And South), Upper Buell Pa's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 838 residents.
Is Sawmill (East And South), Upper Buell Pa's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Sawmill (East And South), Upper Buell Pa 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 17 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 Sawmill (East And South), Upper Buell Pa's water compare to other cities?
Sawmill (East And South), Upper Buell Pa ranks #83 out of 292 cities in Arizona (better than 72% of state cities) and #5234 out of 15744 cities nationally (67th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Sawmill (East And South), Upper Buell Pa's small water system affect quality?
Sawmill (East And South), Upper Buell Pa's system serves approximately 838 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 17 violations on record.