01The verdict: is Tonalea, Red Lake water safe?
Tonalea, Red Lake's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B+ (80.5/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 1,146 residents using groundwater (wells).
11 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 3.2 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓5 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 ↓Tonalea, Red Lake's drinking water received a grade of B+ (80.5 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 1,146 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 3.2 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 106 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 11 remain unresolved.
Tonalea, Red Lake ranks #112 out of 271 cities in Arizona for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state. Tonalea, Red Lake 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, Tonalea, Red Lake may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in Tonalea, Red Lake's water
Every contaminant flagged in Tonalea, Red Lake, 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. | 3.2 | 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
03Tonalea, Red Lake'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 106 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 11 remain unresolved.
5 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.
▼ Down 1.8 ppb since 1994. Latest reading: 3.2 ppb (2025) — 21% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Tonalea, Red Lake's water comes from
Tonalea, Red Lake'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.
2 systems
2 water systems, operated under native american ownership.
1,146 people
Residents served across Tonalea, Red Lake'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 native american ownership and serves approximately 1,146 people through 2 water systems.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tonalea-Red Lake NTUA | NN0400379 | 1,146 | Groundwater |
| Tonalea (Red Lake) Day School BIA | NN0433013 | 300 | Groundwater |
05Pressure on Tonalea, Red Lake'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
6 federal disaster declarations on record for Apache County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
06How Tonalea, Red Lake compares
Scores for nearby Arizona cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Arizona average (41/100)
Tonalea, Red Lake scores 80.5/100 — above the Arizona average of 41/100. It outscores 10 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
07What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Tonalea, Red Lake's water — not generic advice.
A basic carbon filter still helps
Tonalea, Red Lake'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 →Flush taps & check your service line
Lead leaches from pipes as water sits. Run cold water 30 seconds before drinking (especially mornings), and ask the utility whether your address still has a lead service line.
Lead risks explained →Watch for Tonalea, Red Lake 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 Tonalea, Red Lake, AZ tap water safe to drink?
Tonalea, Red Lake's water quality earned a grade of B+ (80.5/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #112 out of 271 cities tested in Arizona.
What contaminants are in Tonalea, Red Lake's water?
Lead was measured at 3.2 ppb (90th percentile). 106 violations are on record.
How is Tonalea, Red Lake'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 Tonalea, Red Lake?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Tonalea, Red Lake's water come from?
Tonalea, Red Lake's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 1,146 residents.
What health violations has Tonalea, Red Lake's water system had?
Tonalea, Red Lake has 1 health-based violation on record. The most recent violation was recorded in February 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 11 violations remain unresolved.
Is Tonalea, Red Lake's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Tonalea, Red Lake 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 106 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 Tonalea, Red Lake's water compare to other cities?
Tonalea, Red Lake ranks #112 out of 271 cities in Arizona (better than 59% of state cities) and #7754 out of 15382 cities nationally (50th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.