Is Arizona Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Water quality data for 25 cities across Arizona. Find your city below.
Water quality in Arizona varies significantly from city to city. Across 25 cities we track, hardness ranges from 70 PPM in Flagstaff to 300 PPM in Mesa, with a statewide average of 257 PPM. 24 of 25 cities have hard water above 120 PPM where a water softener provides measurable benefits.
7 Arizona cities have forever chemicals (PFAS) above the EPA's 2024 limit of 4 parts per trillion: Tempe (116.28 ppt), Goodyear (31.88 ppt), Avondale (58.63 ppt), Bullhead City (26.95 ppt), Gilbert (40.53 ppt), and 2 more. A reverse osmosis system or NSF P473-certified filter can reduce PFAS to safe levels.
Complete Arizona Guide
Statewide water quality overview, costs, and treatment recommendations.
Well Water in Arizona
Testing, treatment, and common issues for private wells.
Hardest Water Rankings
Arizona cities ranked by water hardness level.
City Treatment Guides
Sized recommendations based on each city's specific water data.
City Comparisons
Mesa vs Flagstaff
Side-by-side water quality comparison.
Mesa vs Chandler
Side-by-side water quality comparison.
Chandler vs Fountain Hills
Side-by-side water quality comparison.
Arizona Cities by Water Hardness
| City | Hardness (PPM) | Level | PFAS (ppt) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mesa | 300 | Extremely Hard | 21.61 | Groundwater + SRP canal |
| Chandler | 300 | Extremely Hard | 20.06 | SRP, CAP, groundwater |
| Fountain Hills | 300 | Extremely Hard | 0 | Colorado River via SRP + wells |
| Tempe | 299 | Extremely Hard | 116.28 | SRP, CAP, groundwater |
| Queen Creek | 295 | Extremely Hard | 0 | SRP canal water & local wells |
| Glendale | 294 | Extremely Hard | 5.99 | SRP, CAP, groundwater |
| Goodyear | 291 | Extremely Hard | 31.88 | CAP Canal, groundwater |
| Maricopa | 291 | Extremely Hard | 0 | Groundwater |
| San Tan Valley | 290 | Extremely Hard | 0 | Local wells & CAP water |
| Tucson | 288 | Extremely Hard | 8.1 | CAP, groundwater |
| Avondale | 288 | Extremely Hard | 58.63 | Groundwater, CAP Canal |
| Casa Grande | 285 | Extremely Hard | 127.97 | Groundwater wells |
| Bullhead City | 280 | Extremely Hard | 26.95 | Colorado River |
| Gilbert | 277 | Extremely Hard | 40.53 | SRP, groundwater |
| Lake Havasu City | 270 | Extremely Hard | 3 | Lake Havasu (Colorado River) |
| Yuma | 264 | Extremely Hard | 0 | Colorado River |
| Surprise | 258 | Extremely Hard | 0 | CAP, groundwater |
| Scottsdale | 250 | Extremely Hard | 3.2 | SRP, CAP, groundwater |
| Peoria West | 240 | Very Hard | 20.1 | Colorado River + Salt River + wells |
| Peoria | 235 | Very Hard | 20.1 | SRP, CAP, groundwater |
| Chandler South | 235 | Very Hard | 20.06 | Salt River + groundwater |
| Phoenix | 220 | Very Hard | 16.59 | Surface + Groundwater |
| Sierra Vista | 170 | Hard | 3.25 | Upper San Pedro Basin wells |
| Prescott | 135 | Hard | 0 | Watson & Goldwater Lakes & wells |
| Flagstaff | 70 | Moderately Hard | 6.1 | Upper Lake Mary, groundwater |