01The verdict: is White River water safe?
White River's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B- (74.1/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 622 residents using groundwater (wells).
9 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 2.1 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓9 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 ↓White River's drinking water received a grade of B- (74.1 out of 100), indicating fair water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 622 residents using purchased ground water.
Lead levels were measured at 2.1 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 284 violations on record, including 20 health-based violations. 9 remain unresolved.
White River ranks #133 out of 271 cities in Arizona for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state. White River purchases its water from a regional wholesaler, meaning quality depends on both the supplier's treatment and the local distribution system's condition. As a small community water system, White River may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities. The system has seen 9 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
02What's in White River's water
Every contaminant flagged in White River, 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. | 2.1 | 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
03White River'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 284 violations on record, including 20 health-based violations. 9 remain unresolved.
4 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.
▲ Up 1.1 ppb since 2013. Latest reading: 2.1 ppb (2025) — 14% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where White River's water comes from
White River purchases its water supply from a regional wholesale provider rather than treating raw water directly.
Purchased Groundwater
Water is bought from a regional wholesaler; quality starts at the supplier's intake and treatment.
Wholesale supplier
Primary treatment happens at the wholesaler; the local utility maintains disinfectant residual in its pipes.
1 system
1 water system, operated under federal ownership.
622 people
Residents served across White River's service area.
Water quality depends on both the wholesaler's treatment standards and the condition of White River's local distribution pipes and storage facilities. Purchased water systems are common in suburban areas and smaller communities that lack the infrastructure for independent treatment. The system is operated by federal ownership and serves approximately 622 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dishchii Bikoh Community School - BIA Charter | 090400049 | 622 | Purchased Groundwater |
05How White River compares
Scores for nearby Arizona cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Arizona average (41/100)
White River scores 74.1/100 — 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
06What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in White River's water — not generic advice.
A basic carbon filter still helps
White River'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 White River alerts
We refresh EPA data monthly and surface new violations, advisories, and boil-water notices for your county on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is White River, AZ tap water safe to drink?
White River's water quality earned a grade of B- (74.1/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #133 out of 271 cities tested in Arizona.
What contaminants are in White River's water?
Lead was measured at 2.1 ppb (90th percentile). 284 violations are on record.
How is White River'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 White River?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does White River's water come from?
White River's water is sourced from Purchased ground water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 622 residents.
What health violations has White River's water system had?
White River has 20 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in January 2024. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 9 violations remain unresolved.
Is White River's groundwater at risk of contamination?
White River 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 284 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 White River's water compare to other cities?
White River ranks #133 out of 271 cities in Arizona (better than 51% of state cities) and #9811 out of 15382 cities nationally (36th percentile). The grade of B- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does White River's small water system affect quality?
White River's system serves approximately 622 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 284 violations on record.