Maricopa County tap water: hardness, PFAS and lead

Maricopa County, Arizona has about 4,673,096 residents (Census 2024 estimate) and 100 community water systems in EPA records. The largest local system is Phoenix City of, serving about 1,695,000 people from surface water.

✓ 0 of 6 largest systems with health-based violationsPFAS detected at 6 of 6 sampled systemsHardness 172–302 mg/L, varies by area

Public-record figures, not a test of your tap. Not 100% accurate or guaranteed. Confirm with a water test, your utility or a qualified pro before you buy or act.

How hard is Maricopa County water?

Phoenix City of Measured (utility report, 2025) · High confidence

172–302 mg/L (varies by area; no single average published)

Source: PHOENIX CITY OF water quality report, 2025

Public-record figures, not a test of your tap. Not 100% accurate or guaranteed. Confirm with a water test, your utility or a qualified pro before you buy or act.

At this hardness most homes don't need a softener. Confirm with a test strip if you see scale.

Largest water systems in Maricopa County

The 6 biggest of 100 community water systems on EPA records for this county. Service areas don't follow county lines; your water bill names your provider.

Phoenix City of

AZ0407025 · serves about 1,695,000 people · Surface water

✓ No health-based violations✓ Lead below action levelPFAS detected (2 types)

Lead 90th percentile: 2.7 ppb (period starting 2022-01-01) Older result. Action level: 15 ppb (drops to 10 ppb on Nov 1, 2027).

  • PFBS: highest sample 16 ppt (12 of 52 samples); no individual limit; counted in EPA's PFAS mixture (hazard index) limit
  • PFBA: highest sample 6 ppt (6 of 52 samples); no federal limit

EPA ECHO record

Mesa City of

AZ0407095 · serves about 466,000 people · Surface water

✓ No health-based violations✓ Lead below action levelPFAS detected (3 types)

Lead 90th percentile: 5 ppb (period starting 2022-01-01) Older result. Action level: 15 ppb (drops to 10 ppb on Nov 1, 2027).

  • PFBS: highest sample 15.2 ppt (10 of 70 samples); no individual limit; counted in EPA's PFAS mixture (hazard index) limit
  • PFHxS: highest sample 9.3 ppt (4 of 70 samples); federal limit 10.0 ppt as a running annual average, also counted in EPA's PFAS mixture (hazard index) limit (currently in effect; EPA has proposed removing it)
  • PFHxA: highest sample 3.2 ppt (1 of 70 samples); no federal limit

EPA ECHO record

Gilbert, Town of

AZ0407092 · serves about 247,600 people · Surface water

✓ No health-based violations✓ Lead below detectionPFAS detected (6 types)

Lead 90th percentile: <DL (below the lab detection/reporting limit; reported as 0) (period starting 2023-01-01) Older result. Action level: 15 ppb (drops to 10 ppb on Nov 1, 2027).

  • PFBS: highest sample 18.1 ppt (7 of 42 samples); no individual limit; counted in EPA's PFAS mixture (hazard index) limit
  • PFOS: highest sample 9.8 ppt (2 of 42 samples); federal limit 4.0 ppt as a running annual average
  • PFOA: highest sample 6.5 ppt (1 of 42 samples); federal limit 4.0 ppt as a running annual average
  • PFPeA: highest sample 6.2 ppt (2 of 42 samples); no federal limit
  • PFBA: highest sample 5.8 ppt (2 of 42 samples); no federal limit
  • PFHxA: highest sample 4.4 ppt (1 of 42 samples); no federal limit

EPA ECHO record

Chandler City of

AZ0407090 · serves about 247,328 people · Surface water

✓ No health-based violations✓ Lead below action levelPFAS detected (4 types)

Lead 90th percentile: 1.4 ppb (period starting 2023-01-01) Older result. Action level: 15 ppb (drops to 10 ppb on Nov 1, 2027).

  • PFBS: highest sample 12 ppt (10 of 55 samples); no individual limit; counted in EPA's PFAS mixture (hazard index) limit
  • PFPeA: highest sample 5.3 ppt (2 of 55 samples); no federal limit
  • PFBA: highest sample 5 ppt (1 of 55 samples); no federal limit
  • PFHxA: highest sample 3.5 ppt (1 of 55 samples); no federal limit

EPA ECHO record

Scottsdale City of

AZ0407098 · serves about 241,361 people · Surface water

✓ No health-based violations✓ Lead below action levelPFAS detected (1 type)

Lead 90th percentile: 2.3 ppb (period starting 2021-01-01) Older result. Action level: 15 ppb (drops to 10 ppb on Nov 1, 2027).

  • PFBS: highest sample 3.2 ppt (1 of 18 samples); no individual limit; counted in EPA's PFAS mixture (hazard index) limit

EPA ECHO record

Glendale City of

AZ0407093 · serves about 234,766 people · Surface water

✓ No health-based violations✓ Lead below action levelPFAS detected (1 type)

Lead 90th percentile: 2.1 ppb (period starting 2026-01-01). Action level: 15 ppb (drops to 10 ppb on Nov 1, 2027).

  • PFBS: highest sample 11.7 ppt (9 of 22 samples); no individual limit; counted in EPA's PFAS mixture (hazard index) limit

EPA ECHO record

Public-record figures, not a test of your tap. Not 100% accurate or guaranteed. Confirm with a water test, your utility or a qualified pro before you buy or act.

A PFAS detection is not a violation. Federal limits (4 ppt for PFOA and PFOS) apply to running annual averages, with compliance required by 2029. In May 2026 EPA proposed extending the PFOA/PFOS deadline to 2031 and removing other PFAS limits; not final as of 2026-10-21.

Test your own tap

These are public records for whole systems. Your home's pipes, fixtures and any private well can change what you drink. A certified lab test or a hardness test strip gives you your own numbers. Then use our PFAS and lead filter selector to see which certifications to look for.

Common questions about Maricopa County water

Is tap water in Maricopa County safe to drink?

None of the 6 largest systems here have a health-based violation in EPA records since October 2021. Phoenix City of's most recent lead 90th percentile was 2.7 ppb (2022), below the 15 ppb action level. Public records can't guarantee what comes out of your tap, especially with older plumbing, so a home test is the surest check.

How hard is the water in Maricopa County?

Phoenix City of reports hardness from 172 to 302 mg/L depending on where you live, with no single system-wide average, so check your area in its report or test your water.

Is there PFAS in Maricopa County water?

6 of the 6 sampled systems listed here detected at least one PFAS in EPA's UCMR 5 testing, and 2 results were above the level of a federal limit in at least one sample. A detection isn't a violation: federal PFAS limits apply to running annual averages starting in 2029.

Which water system serves my address in Maricopa County?

Most homes are served by Phoenix City of or one of the other systems listed on this page, but service areas don't follow county lines. Your water bill names your provider, and its annual Consumer Confidence Report has the full test results.

More Arizona counties

Sources for this page

Data as of October 21, 2026. Figures are copied from public records and combined with our own calculations; they can be out of date or wrong. Tapped Out isn't affiliated with any utility or the EPA. Written and reviewed by the Tapped Out team. How we calculate · All sources.