PFAS Contamination

PFAS in Arizona Drinking Water

Ranked by number of PFAS compounds detected · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

112

Cities Tested

Exceeds Limit

16%

% Exceeds Limit

2.6 compounds

State Avg

▼ 5% vs national

vs National

241

Health Violations

Analysis

PFAS in Arizona: what the data shows

Arizona has 112 cities with PFAS monitoring data from the EPA's UCMR 5 program. PFAS ("forever chemicals") were detected in 108 of those cities (96%), with a significant share of cities exceeding the EPA's 2024 maximum contaminant levels of 4 ppt. The state average is better than the national average. 18 cities exceed the EPA MCL for at least one PFAS compound. PFAS are linked to cancer, immune system disruption, and developmental issues. The 2024 EPA rule requires water systems exceeding the MCL to notify customers and reduce levels by 2029. PFAS data comes from the EPA's Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 5 (UCMR 5), which required large water systems to test for 29 PFAS compounds between 2023–2025. Not all systems have completed testing — cities without data may still have PFAS present.

Comparison

Cities exceeding EPA MCL (4 ppt each)

Arizona

16%

18 of 112 cities

← ▼ 5% below national rate (better)

National avg

21%

1662 of 7853 cities

City Map

PFAS data across Arizona

Each dot is a city, colored by overall water quality grade. PFAS-tested cities are shown; those exceeding the 4 ppt EPA MCL appear in red. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by pfas level in Arizona

Highest PFAS levels (compounds)

All Cities

All Arizona cities ranked by pfas level

#	City	Level	Exceeds?	Violations	Grade
1	Tempe	10 compounds	Yes	3	D+
2	Payson	10 compounds	Yes	60	F
3	Avondale	9 compounds	Yes	13	C+
4	Litchfield Park	9 compounds	Yes	21	F
5	Sedona	9 compounds	Yes	174	F
6	Tucson	8 compounds	Yes	150	F
7	Prescott	8 compounds	Yes	33	F
8	Marana	8 compounds	Yes	13	F
9	Rio Rico	8 compounds	Yes	4	C
10	Gilbert	7 compounds	Yes	11	F
11	Casa Grande	7 compounds	No	44	F
12	Johnson Ranch	7 compounds	Yes	7	D
13	Bullhead City	7 compounds	Yes	57	F
14	Goodyear	7 compounds	Yes	3	F
15	Fort Huachuca	7 compounds	Yes	9	F
16	Miami	7 compounds	No	1	B
17	Glendale	6 compounds	No	5	F
18	Bisbee	6 compounds	Yes	15	F
19	Globe	6 compounds	Yes	46	F
20	Chandler	5 compounds	No	32	F
21	El Mirage	5 compounds	No	3	D
22	Mesa	4 compounds	No	3	F
23	Peoria	4 compounds	Yes	13	F
24	Sahuarita	4 compounds	Yes	19	F
25	Florence	4 compounds	No	60	F
26	Pinetop	4 compounds	No	12	D
27	Ganado, Cornfield, Steamboat, Woodspring	4 compounds	No	4	B+
28	Phoenix	3 compounds	No	59	F
29	Sierra Vista	3 compounds	No	44	D
30	Catalina	3 compounds	No	2	D
31	Safford	3 compounds	No	9	D
32	Tolleson	3 compounds	No	1	B+
33	Pine	3 compounds	No	10	F
34	Morenci	3 compounds	No	15	C-
35	Scottsdale	2 compounds	No	22	F
36	Yuma	2 compounds	No	318	F
37	Lake Havasu City	2 compounds	No	5	D
38	Show Low	2 compounds	No	60	D
39	Cottonwood	2 compounds	No	184	D
40	White Tanks	2 compounds	No	1	B+
41	Page	2 compounds	No	8	F
42	Ak-Chin Village	2 compounds	No	10	A-
43	San Carlos	2 compounds	No	140	D
44	Kayenta	2 compounds	No	0	D
45	Eagar	2 compounds	No	9	C
46	Surprise	1 compounds	No	18	F
47	Queen Creek	1 compounds	No	14	D
48	Flagstaff	1 compounds	No	74	D
49	Maricopa	1 compounds	No	228	D
50	Apache Junction	1 compounds	No	18	F
51	Buckeye	1 compounds	No	103	F
52	Kingman	1 compounds	No	110	D
53	Prescott Valley	1 compounds	No	6	D
54	Green Valley	1 compounds	No	9	D
55	Oro Valley	1 compounds	No	11	D
56	San Luis	1 compounds	No	8	D
57	Sun City	1 compounds	No	1	B
58	Fountain Hills	1 compounds	No	21	F
59	Sun City West	1 compounds	No	3	B+
60	Nogales	1 compounds	No	39	F
61	Anthem	1 compounds	No	1	B
62	Wildhorse Pass Casino, St. Johns Komatke	1 compounds	No	12	B+
63	Salt River Indian Community	1 compounds	No	22	B
64	Whiteriver	1 compounds	No	7	D
65	Eloy	1 compounds	No	64	D
66	Douglas	1 compounds	No	55	D
67	Parker	1 compounds	No	148	F
68	Somerton	1 compounds	No	17	D
69	Buckeye-Sono	1 compounds	No	2	B-
70	Paradise Valley	1 compounds	No	3	C
71	Upper Fruitland, Nenahnezad, San Juan, N	1 compounds	No	9	B+
72	Upper Fruitland, Nenahnezad, San Juan, N	1 compounds	No	9	B+
73	Fort Defiance, Window Rock, St. Michaels	1 compounds	No	22	B-
74	Oracle	1 compounds	No	4	A+
75	Cave Creek	1 compounds	No	25	C-
76	Wickenburg	1 compounds	No	21	F
77	Camp Verde	1 compounds	No	149	D
78	Chinle, Many Farms, Del Muerto	1 compounds	No	10	B+
79	Benson	1 compounds	No	29	D
80	Holbrook	1 compounds	No	6	F
81	Tuba City	1 compounds	No	3	A
82	Superior	1 compounds	No	0	C-
83	Snowflake	1 compounds	No	1	C+
84	Clarkdale	1 compounds	No	0	B+
85	Rio Verde	1 compounds	No	3	B+
86	Sacaton, Sacaton Flats,Upper San Tan, Bl	1 compounds	No	11	B
87	Pinon, South Pinon, Burnt Corn, Blue Gap	1 compounds	No	0	A
88	Dilcon, Indian Wells, Lower Greasewood,	1 compounds	No	47	B-
89	San Manuel	1 compounds	No	4	A-
90	Mariano Lake, Pinedale, Churchrock	1 compounds	No	4	B+
91	Mariano Lake, Pinedale, Churchrock	1 compounds	No	4	B+
92	First Mesa Consolidated Villages	1 compounds	No	74	D
93	Mohave Valley	1 compounds	No	14	F
94	Sells, Big Fields	1 compounds	No	3	A
95	Topock	1 compounds	No	13	C
96	Crownpoint, Littlewater, Three Mile Poin	1 compounds	No	4	A
97	Crownpoint, Littlewater, Three Mile Poin	1 compounds	No	4	A
98	Carefree	1 compounds	No	0	A-
99	Rimrock	1 compounds	No	53	C-
100	Willcox	1 compounds	No	7	D
101	Saint Johns	1 compounds	No	7	C+
102	Concho	1 compounds	No	17	D
103	Vaya Chin, Hickiwan, San Simon Village/S	1 compounds	No	1	A-
104	Ganado	1 compounds	No	3	D
105	Toadlena, Two Grey Hills	1 compounds	No	51	D
106	Toadlena, Two Grey Hills	1 compounds	No	51	D
107	Patagonia	1 compounds	No	4	C+
108	Lower Greasewood	1 compounds	No	9	C+
109	Heber	0 compounds	No	11	F
110	Grand Canyon	0 compounds	No	11	D
111	Winslow	0 compounds	No	9	D
112	Munds Park	0 compounds	No	1	A

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about pfas in Arizona

Does Arizona tap water contain PFAS?

PFAS were detected in 108 of 112 Arizona cities tested under EPA's UCMR 5 program. 18 cities exceed the 2024 EPA MCL of 4 ppt for individual PFAS compounds.

How can I remove PFAS from my drinking water in Arizona?

Reverse osmosis (RO) systems are the most effective at removing PFAS, typically removing 90%+ of compounds. High-quality activated carbon block filters (NSF 58-certified for RO, or NSF 53 for solid carbon) also provide significant reduction. Standard pitcher filters vary widely in PFAS removal.

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