Tucson Water Quality

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

23 EPA violations on record (most recent 2025). Nitrate enters water mainly from fertilizer runoff, septic systems, and animal waste. High levels can interfere with the blood's ability to carry oxygen, a special danger for infants. Long-term low-level exposure has also been linked to elevated cancer risk in some studies.

19 EPA violations on record (most recent 2025). Fluoride occurs naturally in groundwater and is also added by many utilities to reduce tooth decay. At high natural levels it can damage developing teeth and, over long exposure, weaken bones. The federal limit targets these high-level health effects rather than the low levels used for dental benefit.

12 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.

21 EPA violations on record (most recent 2025). 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.

21 EPA violations on record (most recent 2025). 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.

Tucson'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.