WaterVerge

Is Taylor, AZ Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded D, with 109 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

4K residents served 2 water systems PWSID: AZ0409031
Overall Score
47 / 100
Violations
109 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#215 of 292 in Arizona Top 87% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
DGRADE
Water Quality Grade
47/100
waterverge.com
D 47/100

Taylor, AZ — Water Quality Report

Taylor's drinking water received a grade of D (47 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 4,370 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 307 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 109 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Taylor's water

Taylor ranks #215 out of 292 cities in Arizona for water quality, placing it below average in the state.

Taylor 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.

The system has seen 80 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
47 out of 100 Grade D
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
0/45
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 Taylor, AZ water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Taylor's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of D (47/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 4,370 residents using groundwater (wells).

109
Active Violations
0.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
8 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Taylor

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Taylor's water quality assessment. Grade: D (47/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Public Notice.

Violation
3 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule, Thallium, Total.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Chlorine.

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 Taylor's water supply.

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

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Taylor's water system has 307 total violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 109 remain unresolved. 80 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

OtherMRMONRPTMCL
Most recent violations:
Nov 2025 Public Notice Open
Oct 2025 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Oct 2025 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Oct 2025 Thallium, Total Resolved
Sep 2025 Chlorine Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Navajo County has experienced 8 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 Taylor's water come from?

Taylor's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 2 water systems serving approximately 4,370 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.

What Taylor residents can do

Install a water filter

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

Taylor'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

307
Total violations
1
Health-based
109
Active / unresolved
Nov 2025
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

307 Total
109 Active
1 Health-based
198 Resolved
Violations by category
Revised Total Coliform Rule
62
Volatile Organic Chemicals
60
Consumer Confidence Rule
41
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
41
Total Coliform Rule
36
Nov 2025 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Oct 2025 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Oct 2025 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2025 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2025 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Oct 2024 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Apr 2024 Active
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Reporting
Reporting 0
Apr 2024 Active
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Reporting
Reporting 0
Feb 2024 Active
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Reporting
Reporting 0
Feb 2024 Active
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Reporting
Reporting 0
Jan 2024 Active
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Reporting
Reporting 0
Oct 2023 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Aug 2023 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Aug 2023 Active
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Reporting
Reporting 0
Aug 2023 Active
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Reporting
Reporting 0
Jun 2023 Active
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Reporting
Reporting 0
Jun 2023 Active
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Reporting
Reporting 0
May 2023 Active
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Reporting
Reporting 0
Feb 2023 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Feb 2023 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Showing 20 of 307 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

8
Declared disasters
Sep 2021
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Navajo County has experienced 8 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
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 2.0 ppb from 2002 (2.0 ppb) to 2025 (0.0 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
4,370
Water Systems
2
Water Source

Where Taylor's water comes from

Groundwater

Taylor'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 local government ownership and serves approximately 4,370 people through 2 water systems.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Taylor

System Name PWSID Population Source
TOWN OF TAYLOR AZ0409031 4,190 GW
SWEETWATER RANCH - TOWN OF TAYLOR AZ0409086 180 GW
Regional Comparison

How Taylor compares

Full Arizona rankings →

Taylor's score of 47/100 is on par with the average of 42/100 among major Arizona cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.

Taylor (this city)
47
Phoenix
37.5
Tucson
38.1
Mesa
40.6
Chandler
40.5
Gilbert
34.8
Arizona avg
42
City Profile

About Taylor, AZ

Economic Profile
$75,125
Median Income
$271,999
Median Home Value
$608/mo
Median Rent
4.9%
Unemployment
Community
35.5
Median Age
48
People / sq mi
21.6%
College Educated
77.7%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Taylor, AZ tap water safe to drink?

Taylor's water quality earned a grade of D (47/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #215 out of 292 cities tested in Arizona.

What contaminants are in Taylor's water?

Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 307 violations are on record.

How is Taylor'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 Taylor?

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

Where does Taylor's water come from?

Taylor's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 4,370 residents.

What health violations has Taylor's water system had?

Taylor 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. 109 violations remain unresolved.

Is Taylor's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Taylor 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 307 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 Taylor's water compare to other cities?

Taylor ranks #215 out of 292 cities in Arizona (better than 26% of state cities) and #13711 out of 15744 cities nationally (13th percentile). The grade of D reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.