Prescott Water Quality

Detected above the EPA's 4 ppt limit for PFOA/PFOS — the "forever chemicals" linked to cancer and immune effects. Compounds found: PFBS, PFHpA, PFHxA, PFHxS, PFOA, PFOS, PFPeA.

4 EPA violations on record (most recent 2022). Uranium occurs naturally in rock and dissolves into groundwater, with extra contributions from mining in some regions. It is both a radioactive and a toxic metal; long-term exposure mainly damages the kidneys and increases cancer risk. It is widespread in Western groundwater.

6 EPA violations on record (most recent 2024). TTHM form when chlorine used to disinfect water reacts with natural organic matter. Long-term exposure has been linked to increased cancer risk and to harm in pregnancy. Levels often rise in warmer months and in systems with more organic material.

6 EPA violations on record (most recent 2024). HAA5 are a second group of chlorine disinfection byproducts formed when chlorine reacts with organic matter in water. Long-term exposure is associated with increased cancer risk and possible developmental effects. They commonly occur together with trihalomethanes.

4 EPA violations on record (most recent 2025). Arsenic is a naturally occurring element that dissolves into groundwater from rock and is also released by mining and industry. Long-term exposure is associated with several cancers and with skin, cardiovascular, and developmental harm. It is common in parts of the Southwest.

4 EPA violations on record (most recent 2022). Radium is a naturally radioactive element that leaches from rock into groundwater. Long-term exposure increases the risk of bone cancer and other cancers because it concentrates in bone. The federal limit covers the combined activity of radium-226 and radium-228.

3 EPA violations on record (most recent 2022). Radium-226 is a naturally radioactive isotope that seeps from rock into groundwater. Over years of exposure it concentrates in bone and raises the risk of bone and other cancers. It is regulated together with radium-228 under the combined radium standard.

3 EPA violations on record (most recent 2022). Beta and photon emitters are radioactive contaminants that can come from natural deposits or from nuclear activity. Long-term exposure increases cancer risk. The federal limit is expressed as an annual dose rather than a simple concentration.

Prescott's water is very hard. Hardness isn't a health risk, but it drives scale on fixtures and water heaters, shortens appliance life, and leaves skin and hair dry.