Tucson Water Quality Report
Population: 545K+ · TDS: 400+ ppm · 5 contaminants above EWG health guidelines
Water Hardness
Tucson water measures 12.3 grains per gallon (gpg) — classified as Very Hard.
Contaminants Detected
All contaminants shown exceed EWG health guidelines, even if they meet federal legal limits. The worst offender exceeds guidelines by 583x.
| Contaminant | Detected | EWG Guideline | Times Above |
|---|---|---|---|
Arsenic Tucson has among the highest arsenic levels in the state. A known human carcinogen at any level. | 2.80 ppb | 0.01 ppb | 280x |
Uranium Radioactive element from Arizona's geology. Toxic to kidneys and associated with cancer risk. | 9.2 ppb | 1.7 ppb | 5.4x |
PFOS (Forever Chemicals) Military base contamination. PFOS persists in the body and environment indefinitely. Linked to cancer, immune suppression, and hormonal disruption. | 56 ppt | 4 ppt | 14x |
Haloacetic Acids (HAA9) Disinfection byproducts found throughout Tucson's water treatment system. | 35.0 ppb | 0.06 ppb | 583x |
Chromium-6 Hexavalent chromium detected well above EWG health guidelines in Tucson water. | 0.52 ppb | 0.03 ppb | 17x |
What This Means For You
Tucson's water is legally “safe” according to federal standards — but those standards were last updated decades ago. The EWG sets health guidelines based on the latest science, and Tucson exceeds them on 5 contaminants.
With a hardness level of 12.3 gpg, your water is classified as very hard. That means accelerated scale buildup in your pipes, water heater, and appliances. Most water heaters in Tucson lose 25–40% of their efficiency within 5 years from hard water deposits.
Recent: Tucson water has some of the highest arsenic and uranium levels in Arizona, with PFOS contamination linked to nearby military installations.
Flo Says:
City data shows averages across the whole system. Your home could be better or worse depending on your pipes, neighborhood, and how far you are from the treatment plant. A free in-home test shows you exactly what's coming out of your tap.
Book Your Free Water Test in Tucson
City reports show averages. A free in-home test shows you exactly what's coming out of your tap.
Book Your Free Water Test