Tempe, AZ Tap Water Quality 2026

Water quality report for Tempe, AZ — PFAS, lead and copper results, violation history and state inspection findings from EPA SDWIS.

A look at Tempe's drinking water using EPA enforcement records: violations, lead and copper results, PFAS sampling and state inspection findings.

Main Utility: Tempe City Of PWSID: AZ0407100 Updated: 2026 Q2

⚠️

PFAS above the federal limit at 5 of 10 sampling points

Lead is 4.40 ppb, 29% of the action level and no violations are open. However, PFAS exceeds the federal limit at 5 of 10 sampling points, running as high as 13.79 times the limit.

Tempe earns a C for water quality

Graded on violations, lead, and PFAS, with state inspection findings.

Lead: 4.40 ppb — 29% of the federal action level

PFAS above the federal limit at 5 of 10 sampling points

15 violations since 2015, 2 health-based

No violations currently open

Tempe's lead level vs. all Arizona community water systems

0 ppb5 ppb10 ppb15 ppb

Lead level: 4.40 ppb — 29% of the federal action level

✓ Lower lead than 25% of Arizona utilities

Population Served

176984

~40000 connections

Water Source

Surface water

Drawn from surface water — SDWIS source code SW

Active Violations

15 since 2015, all resolved

Lead & Copper Testing

Lead (Pb)

90th percentile of tap samples collected across the distribution system

29% of EPA action level

4.40 ppb

Action level: 15 ppb

The 90th-percentile lead result is 4.40 ppb, 29% of the 15 ppb federal action level. The action level is a treatment trigger, not a legal maximum, and it is measured across sampled taps rather than at any single home.

Contaminant Violations (2015–Present)

Contaminant	Type	Measured	Limit	Period	Status
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate	MONITORING AND REPORTING	—	0.006 mg/L	2018	Resolved
CYANIDE	MONITORING AND REPORTING	—	0.2 mg/L	2018	Resolved
CYANIDE	MONITORING AND REPORTING	—	0.2 mg/L	2018	Resolved
CYANIDE	MONITORING AND REPORTING	—	0.2 mg/L	2018	Resolved
CYANIDE	MONITORING AND REPORTING	—	0.2 mg/L	2018	Resolved
CYANIDE	MONITORING AND REPORTING	—	0.2 mg/L	2018	Resolved
CYANIDE	MONITORING AND REPORTING	—	0.2 mg/L	2018	Resolved
CYANIDE	MONITORING AND REPORTING	—	0.2 mg/L	2018	Resolved
CYANIDE	MONITORING AND REPORTING	—	0.2 mg/L	2018	Resolved
CYANIDE	MONITORING AND REPORTING	—	0.2 mg/L	2018	Resolved
Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule	TREATMENT TECHNIQUE	—	—	2017	Resolved
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate	MONITORING AND REPORTING	—	0.006 mg/L	2017	Resolved
TTHM	MCL EXCEEDANCE	0.085 MG/L	0.080 mg/L	2017	Resolved
Chlorine	MONITORING AND REPORTING	—	4.0 mg/L	2016	Resolved
Chlorine	MONITORING AND REPORTING	—	4.0 mg/L	2015	Resolved

Understanding violation types MCL violations mean a contaminant exceeded the federal maximum limit — the most serious type.
TT (Treatment Technique) violations mean required treatment procedures weren't followed, but don't necessarily mean contamination occurred.

Violation History

15 violations are on record since 2015, of which 2 were health-based. All have been resolved and none remain open.

About the Main Water System

Utility Tempe City Of

PWSID AZ0407100

Water source Surface water — Drawn from surface water — SDWIS source code SW

Population served 176,984

Service connections 40,000

Systems serving this area 5

Regulator State primacy agency

Data through 2026 Q2 — EPA SDWIS

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Tempe tap water safe to drink? ▼

It meets most federal standards, but PFAS exceeds the federal limit at 5 of 10 sampling points. No violations are currently open. Lead is 4.40 ppb, 29% of the action level.

Does Tempe water have PFAS? ▼

Yes. PFAS exceeds the federal limit at 5 of 10 sampling points, running as high as 13.79 times the limit. Limits are enforced on a running annual average at each sampling point, not on a single sample.

Who supplies water to Tempe? ▼

Tempe City Of (PWSID AZ0407100), one of 5 systems serving this area. Surface water. Drawn from surface water — SDWIS source code SW

When was this system last inspected? ▼

It was last inspected on 2026-03-12. No significant deficiencies were recorded.

What Should Tempe Residents Do?

Consider a reverse-osmosis filter

Reverse osmosis removes more than 95% of PFAS. Standard carbon pitchers do not.

Check for a lead service line

Lead reaches tap water mainly through service lines and household plumbing. Suppliers now publish an inventory identifying lead lines.

Flush before drinking

If water has sat in pipes more than six hours, run the cold tap for two minutes before drinking or cooking.

Nearby Cities in Arizona

Phoenix, Az Tap Water Quality 2026 Maricopa Mesa, Az Tap Water Quality 2026 Maricopa Chandler, Az Tap Water Quality 2026 Maricopa Gilbert, Az Tap Water Quality 2026 Maricopa Glendale, Az Tap Water Quality 2026 Maricopa Scottsdale, Az Tap Water Quality 2026 Maricopa