WaterVerge

Is Upper Moenkopi, AZ Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded B-, with 5 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

2K residents served 1 water system PWSID: 090400104
Overall Score
74.7 / 100
Violations
5 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#137 of 292 in Arizona Top 62% nationally
Native American
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
B-GRADE
Water Quality Grade
74.7/100
waterverge.com
B- 74.7/100

Upper Moenkopi, AZ — Water Quality Report

Upper Moenkopi's drinking water received a grade of B- (74.7 out of 100), indicating fair water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,740 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 5.0 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 312 violations on record, including 8 health-based violations. 5 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Upper Moenkopi's water

Upper Moenkopi ranks #137 out of 292 cities in Arizona for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.

Upper Moenkopi 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, Upper Moenkopi may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
74.7 out of 100 Grade B-
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
24.7/45
D
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
18/20
A
Lead at 5.0 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
10/10
A
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Upper Moenkopi, AZ water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Upper Moenkopi's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B- (74.7/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,740 residents using groundwater (wells).

5
Active Violations
5.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
6 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Upper Moenkopi

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Upper Moenkopi's water quality assessment. Grade: B- (74.7/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Chlorine.

Violation
2 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).

Disaster
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4620). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Toluene.

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 Upper Moenkopi's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 5.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Upper Moenkopi's water system has 312 total violations on record, including 8 health-based violations. 5 remain unresolved. 3 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

MROtherMCL
Most recent violations:
Oct 2024 Chlorine Resolved
Jan 2023 TTHM Resolved
Jan 2023 Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Resolved
Jan 2016 Toluene Resolved
Aug 2015 Coliform (TCR) Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Coconino 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. Local water sources include Moenkopi Wash.

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 Upper Moenkopi's water come from?

Upper Moenkopi's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,740 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Moenkopi Wash (river).

What Upper Moenkopi residents can do

Install a water filter

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

Flush your taps

Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking, especially in the morning. Lead and copper leach from household plumbing when water sits in pipes.

Monitor alerts during storms

Upper Moenkopi'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
5.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 33% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

312
Total violations
8
Health-based
5
Active / unresolved
Oct 2024
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

312 Total
5 Active
8 Health-based
307 Resolved
2 SNC
Violations by category
Volatile Organic Chemicals
129
Synthetic Organic Chemicals
62
Total Coliform Rule
51
Inorganic Chemicals
29
Radionuclides and Revised Rad Rule
15
Jul 2014 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2013 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2010 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
May 2010 Active
E. COLI
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Oct 2024 Resolved
Chlorine
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2024
Jan 2023 Resolved
TTHM
Monitoring & Reporting
SNC Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2023
Jan 2023 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Monitoring & Reporting
SNC Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2023
Jan 2016 Resolved
Toluene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 2016
Aug 2015 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Aug 2015
Jul 2015 Resolved
Gross Beta Particle Activity
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 2015
Jul 2015 Resolved
Toluene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 2015
Jun 2015 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2015
Apr 2015 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Apr 2015
Mar 2015 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 2015
Jan 2015 Resolved
Toluene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 2015
Jan 2015 Resolved
Gross Beta Particle Activity
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 2015
Jan 2015 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jan 2015
Jan 2015 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2015
Jan 2015 Resolved
TTHM
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2015
Showing 20 of 312 violations
Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

6
Declared disasters
Sep 2021
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Coconino 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.

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
Dec 1990
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #884
Mar 1978
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #551
Sep 1970
HEAVY RAINS & FLASH
Flood FEMA #294

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 5.0 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 0.0 ppb from 1993 (5.0 ppb) to 2025 (5.0 ppb).
Contaminant Rankings

See how Upper Moenkopi compares by contaminant

Explore where Upper Moenkopi ranks among all Arizona cities for specific contaminants.

Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Native American
Population Served
1,740
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Upper Moenkopi's water comes from

Groundwater

Upper Moenkopi'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 1,740 people through 1 water system.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Upper Moenkopi

Upper Moenkopi is located near 1 notable water body. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.

Moenkopi Wash
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Upper Moenkopi

System Name PWSID Population Source
Upper Moenkopi 090400104 1,740 GW
Regional Comparison

How Upper Moenkopi compares

Full Arizona rankings →

Upper Moenkopi's score of 74.7/100 is above the average of 42/100 among major Arizona cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.

Upper Moenkopi (this city)
74.7
Phoenix
37.5
Tucson
38.1
Mesa
40.6
Chandler
40.5
Gilbert
34.8
Arizona avg
42
City Profile

About Upper Moenkopi, AZ

Wikipedia →

Tuba City is an unincorporated town and census-designated place in Coconino County, Arizona, on the Navajo Nation, United States. It is the second-largest community in Coconino County. The population of the census-designated place (CDP) was 8,611 at the 2010 census.

Economic Profile
$62,136
Median Income
$816/mo
Median Rent
10.4%
Unemployment
Community
34.2
Median Age
361
People / sq mi
20.4%
College Educated
55.6%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Upper Moenkopi, AZ tap water safe to drink?

Upper Moenkopi's water quality earned a grade of B- (74.7/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #137 out of 292 cities tested in Arizona.

What contaminants are in Upper Moenkopi's water?

Lead was measured at 5.0 ppb (90th percentile). 312 violations are on record.

How is Upper Moenkopi'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 Upper Moenkopi?

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

Where does Upper Moenkopi's water come from?

Upper Moenkopi's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,740 residents.

What health violations has Upper Moenkopi's water system had?

Upper Moenkopi has 8 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 2024. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 5 violations remain unresolved.

Is Upper Moenkopi's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Upper Moenkopi 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 312 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 Upper Moenkopi's water compare to other cities?

Upper Moenkopi ranks #137 out of 292 cities in Arizona (better than 53% of state cities) and #9774 out of 15744 cities nationally (38th percentile). The grade of B- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Upper Moenkopi's small water system affect quality?

Upper Moenkopi's system serves approximately 1,740 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 312 violations on record.