Table of Contents
Can You Drink Tap Water in Scottsdale?
Yes, Scottsdale's tap water is generally considered safe to drink as Scottsdale has no active health based violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) that we are aware of. Other factors such as lead piping in a home, or low levels of pollutants on immunocompromised individuals, should also be considered, however. To find more recent info we might have, you can check out our boil water notice page or the city's water provider website.
According the EPA’s ECHO database, from April 30, 2019 to June 30, 2022, Scottsdale's water utility, City of Scottsdale, had 1 non-health-based violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act. For more details on the violations, please see our violation history section below. The last violation for Scottsdale was resolved on May 31, 2021. This assessment is based on the City of Scottsdale water system, other water systems in the city may have different results.
While tap water that meets the EPA health guidelines generally won’t make you sick to your stomach, it can still contain regulated and unregulated contaminants present in trace amounts that could potentially cause health issues over the long-run. These trace contaminants may also impact immunocompromised and vulnerable individuals.
The EPA is reviewing if it’s current regulations around pollutant levels in tap water are strict enough, and the health dangers posed by unregulated pollutants, like PFAS.
Water Quality Report for Scottsdale Tap Water
The most recent publicly available numbers for measured contaminant levels in Scottsdale tap water are in its 2020 Water Quality Report. As you can see, there are levels which the EPA considers to be acceptable, but being below the maximum allowable level doesn’t necessarily mean the water is healthy.
Lead in tap water, for example, is currently allowed at up to 15ppb by the EPA, but it has set the ideal goal for lead at zero. This highlights how meeting EPA standards doesn’t necessarily mean local tap water is healthy.
EPA regulations continue to change as it evaluates the long term impacts of chemicals and updates drinking water acceptable levels. The rules around arsenic, as well as, lead and copper are currently being re-evaluated.
There are also a number of "emerging" contaminants that are not currently. For example, PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), for which the EPA has issued a health advisory. PFAS are called "forever chemicals" since they tend not to break down in the environment or the human body and can accumulate over time.
We recommend looking at the contaminants present in Scottsdale's water quality reports, or getting your home's tap water tested to see if you should be filtering your water.
Scottsdale Tap Water Safe Drinking Water Act Violation History - Prior 10 Years
Below is a ten year history of violations for the water system named City of Scottsdale for Scottsdale in Arizona. For more details please see the "What do these Violations Mean?" section below.
From May 1, 2021 to May 31, 2021, Scottsdale had 1 non-health based Safe Drinking Water Act violation with the violation category being Monitoring and Reporting, more specifically, the violation code was Monitoring of Treatment (SWTR-Filter) which falls into the Microbials rule code group, and the Surface Water Treatment Rules rule code family for the following contaminant code: Surface Water Treatment Rule.
From Jan. 1, 2019 to Dec. 31, 2019, Scottsdale had 11 non-health based Safe Drinking Water Act violations with the violation category being Monitoring and Reporting, more specifically, the violation code was Monitoring, Regular which falls into the Chemicals rule code group, and the Inorganic Chemicals rule code family for the following contaminant codes: Antimony, Total, Cadmium, Fluoride, Chromium, Thallium, Total, Beryllium, Total, Selenium, Nickel, Mercury, Barium, CYANIDE.
From Jan. 1, 2017 to Dec. 31, 2019, Scottsdale had 1 non-health based Safe Drinking Water Act violation with the violation category being Monitoring and Reporting, more specifically, the violation code was Monitoring, Regular which falls into the Chemicals rule code group, and the Inorganic Chemicals rule code family for the following contaminant code: Nickel.
For the compliance period beginning Oct. 1, 2011, Scottsdale had 1 non-health based Safe Drinking Water Act violation with the violation category being Other Violation, more specifically, the violation code was Consumer Confidence Report Inadequate Reporting which falls into the Other rule code group, and the Consumer Confidence Rule rule code family for the following contaminant code: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Is there Lead in Scottsdale Water?
Based on the EPA’s ECHO Database, 90% of the samples taken from the Scottsdale water system, City of Scottsdale, between sample start date and sample end date, were at or below, 0.005 mg/L of lead in Scottsdale water. This is 33.3% of the 0.015 mg/L action level. This means 10% of the samples taken from Scottsdale contained more lead.
While Scottsdale water testing may have found 0.005 mg/L of lead in its water, that does not mean your water source has the same amount. The amount of lead in water in a city can vary greatly from neighborhood to neighborhood, or even building to building. Many buildings, particularly older ones, have lead pipes or service lines which can be a source of contamination. To find out if your home has lead, we recommend getting you water tested.
No amount of lead in water is healthy, only less dangerous. As lead accumulates in our bodies over time, even exposure to relatively small amounts can have negative health effects. For more information, please check out our Lead FAQ page.
Are there PFAS in Scottsdale Tap Water?
Currently, testing tap water for PFAS isn’t mandated on a national level. We do have a list of military bases where there have been suspected or confirmed leaks. There appears to be at least one military base - Popago Military Reservation - near Scottsdale with suspected leaks.
With many potential sources of PFAS in tap water across the US, the best information we currently have about which cities have PFAS in their water is this ewg map, which you can check to see if Scottsdale has been evaluated for yet.
Our stance is better safe than sorry, and that it makes sense to try to purify the tap water just in case.
Scottsdale SDWA Violation History Table - Prior 10 Years
| Compliance Period | Status | Health-Based? | Category Code | Code | Rule Code | Contaminant Code | Rule Group Code | Rule Family Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05/01/2021 - 05/31/2021 | Resolved | No | Monitoring and Reporting (MR) | Monitoring of Treatment (SWTR-Filter) (36) | Surface Water Treatment Rule (121) | Surface Water Treatment Rule (0200) | Microbials (100) | Surface Water Treatment Rules (120) |
| 01/01/2019 - 12/31/2019 | Resolved | No | Monitoring and Reporting (MR) | Monitoring, Regular (03) | Inorganic Chemicals (333) | Antimony, Total (1074) | Chemicals (300) | Inorganic Chemicals (330) |
| 01/01/2019 - 12/31/2019 | Resolved | No | Monitoring and Reporting (MR) | Monitoring, Regular (03) | Inorganic Chemicals (333) | Cadmium (1015) | Chemicals (300) | Inorganic Chemicals (330) |
| 01/01/2019 - 12/31/2019 | Resolved | No | Monitoring and Reporting (MR) | Monitoring, Regular (03) | Inorganic Chemicals (333) | Fluoride (1025) | Chemicals (300) | Inorganic Chemicals (330) |
| 01/01/2019 - 12/31/2019 | Resolved | No | Monitoring and Reporting (MR) | Monitoring, Regular (03) | Inorganic Chemicals (333) | Chromium (1020) | Chemicals (300) | Inorganic Chemicals (330) |
| 01/01/2019 - 12/31/2019 | Resolved | No | Monitoring and Reporting (MR) | Monitoring, Regular (03) | Inorganic Chemicals (333) | Thallium, Total (1085) | Chemicals (300) | Inorganic Chemicals (330) |
| 01/01/2019 - 12/31/2019 | Resolved | No | Monitoring and Reporting (MR) | Monitoring, Regular (03) | Inorganic Chemicals (333) | Beryllium, Total (1075) | Chemicals (300) | Inorganic Chemicals (330) |
| 01/01/2019 - 12/31/2019 | Resolved | No | Monitoring and Reporting (MR) | Monitoring, Regular (03) | Inorganic Chemicals (333) | Selenium (1045) | Chemicals (300) | Inorganic Chemicals (330) |
| 01/01/2019 - 12/31/2019 | Resolved | No | Monitoring and Reporting (MR) | Monitoring, Regular (03) | Inorganic Chemicals (333) | Nickel (1036) | Chemicals (300) | Inorganic Chemicals (330) |
| 01/01/2019 - 12/31/2019 | Resolved | No | Monitoring and Reporting (MR) | Monitoring, Regular (03) | Inorganic Chemicals (333) | Mercury (1035) | Chemicals (300) | Inorganic Chemicals (330) |
| 01/01/2019 - 12/31/2019 | Resolved | No | Monitoring and Reporting (MR) | Monitoring, Regular (03) | Inorganic Chemicals (333) | Barium (1010) | Chemicals (300) | Inorganic Chemicals (330) |
| 01/01/2019 - 12/31/2019 | Resolved | No | Monitoring and Reporting (MR) | Monitoring, Regular (03) | Inorganic Chemicals (333) | CYANIDE (1024) | Chemicals (300) | Inorganic Chemicals (330) |
| 01/01/2017 - 12/31/2019 | Resolved | No | Monitoring and Reporting (MR) | Monitoring, Regular (03) | Inorganic Chemicals (333) | Nickel (1036) | Chemicals (300) | Inorganic Chemicals (330) |
| 10/01/2011 - | Resolved | No | Other Violation (Other) | Consumer Confidence Report Inadequate Reporting (72) | Consumer Confidence Rule (420) | Consumer Confidence Rule (7000) | Other (400) | Consumer Confidence Rule (420) |
What do these Violations Mean?
Safe Drinking Water Act Violations categories split into two groups, health based, and non-health based. Generally, health based violations are more serious, though non-health based violations can also be cause for concern.
Health Based Violations
- Maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) - maximum allowed contaminant level was exceeded.
- Maximum residual disinfectant levels (MRDLs) - maximum allowed disinfectant level was exceeded.
- Other violations (Other) - the exact required process to reduce the amounts of contaminants in drinking water was not followed.
Non-Health Based Violations
- Monitoring and reporting violations (MR, MON) - failure to conduct the required regular monitoring of drinking water quality, and/or to submit monitoring results on time.
- Public notice violations (Other) - failure to immediately alert consumers if there is a serious problem with their drinking water that may pose a risk to public health.
- Other violations (Other) - miscellaneous violations, such as failure to issue annual consumer confidence reports or maintain required records.
SDWA Table Key
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Compliance Period | Dates of the compliance period. |
| Status |
Current status of the violation.
|
| Health-Based? | Whether the violation is health based. |
| Category Code |
The category of violation that is reported.
|
| Code | A full description of violation codes can be accessed in the SDWA_REF_CODE_VALUES (CSV) table. |
| Contaminant Code | A code value that represents a contaminant for which a public water system has incurred a violation of a primary drinking water regulation. |
| Rule Code |
Code for a National Drinking Water rule.
|
| Rule Group Code |
Code that uniquely identifies a rule group.
|
| Rule Family Code |
Code for rule family.
|
For more clarification please visit the EPA's data dictionary.
Scottsdale Water - Frequently Asked Questions
| By Phone: | 480-312-8716 |
| By Email: | kheyer@scottsdaleaz.gov |
| By Mail: | PO BOX 85255 SCOTTSDALE, AZ, 85257 |
Existing customers can login to their City of Scottsdale account to pay their Scottsdale water bill by clicking here.
If you want to pay your City of Scottsdale bill online and haven't made an account yet, you can create an account online. Please click here to create your account to pay your Scottsdale water bill.
If you don't want to make an account, or can't remember your account, you can make a one-time payment towards your Scottsdale water bill without creating an account using a one time payment portal with your account number and credit or debit card. Click here to make a one time payment.
Moving to a new house or apartment in Scottsdale means you will often need to put the water in your name with City of Scottsdale. In order to put the water in your name, please click the link to the start service form below. Start service requests for water bills typically take two business days.
Leaving your house or apartment in Scottsdale means you will likely need to take your name off of the water bill with City of Scottsdale. In order to take your name off the water bill, please click the link to the stop service form below. Stop service for water bills requests typically take two business days.
The estimated price of bottled water
$2 in USD (1.5-liter)
USER SUBMITTED RATINGS
- Drinking Water Pollution and Inaccessibility
- Water Pollution
- Drinking Water Quality and Accessibility
- Water Quality
The above data is comprised of subjective, user submitted opinions about the water quality and pollution in Scottsdale, measured on a scale from 0% (lowest) to 100% (highest).
Related FAQS
Scottsdale Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report)
The EPA mandates that towns and cities consistently monitor and test their tap water. They must report their findings in an annual Consumer Confidence Report. Below is the most recent water quality report from Scottsdale's Water. If you would like to see the original version of the report, please click here.
Scottsdale Water
PO Box 25089
8787 E Hualapai Drive
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
ScottsdaleAZ.gov/Water
Water Quality:
2020 Water
Quality Report
About This Report
At Scottsdale Water we strive every day to epitomize our vision of Water Sustainability through Stewardship Innovation and People. We are dedicated to supplying you with safe, reliable drinking water at an affordable price with outstanding service. Our commitment to that goal is summarized in this annual report.
Water is a precious resource for our community, especially in our desert environment. In addition to working to ensure your water is safe, we are also dedicated to ensuring a secure and sustainable water supply for today and the future.
Through innovative aquifer recharge programs and effective strategic planning and investment, Scottsdale was the first city in Arizona to meet safe yield – put more water in the aquifer than we take out – and has been doing so every year since 2006, nearly 20 years ahead of the
I encourage you to review this report and learn about the work and dedication that goes into providing you safe, reliable and affordable drinking water each and every day.
Brian K. Biesemeyer, PE • Scottsdale Water Executive Director
DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
Contaminant – Any physical, chemical, biological or radiological substance or matter in the water.
Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) – The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.
Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) – The highest level
of a contaminant allowed by the EPA in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology.
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL) –
The highest level of a disinfectant (chlorine) allowed in
drinking water. There is convincing scientific evidence
that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for the control of microbial contaminants.
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal (MRDLG) –
The level of drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not
reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control
microbial contamination.
Treatment Technique (TT) – A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.
Action Level (AL) – The concentration of a contaminant, which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that a water provider must follow.
Part Per Million (ppm) / Part Per Billion (ppb) – Equivalent to mg/L and µg/L respectively, describe the levels of detected substances.
Picocuries Per Liter (pCi/L) – A measure of the radioactivity in a liter of water.
Not Applicable (NA) – A regulatory limit does not exist.
A NOTE FROM THE EPA
To ensure the water from your tap is safe to drink, the Environmental Protection Agency issues regulations limiting the amount of certain impurities allowed in drinking water and the water treatment process. You can expect all drinking water, including bottled water (which is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration), to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. It’s important to know that the presence or detection of impurities does not necessarily indicate a health risk.
Scottsdale’s drinking water sources include rivers, lakes, reservoirs and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring materials and can pick up substances from human or animal activity. Possible contaminants may include:
- Microbial contaminants including viruses, bacteria and parasites, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural or livestock operations and wildlife.
- Inorganic contaminants such as minerals, salts and metals, which can be naturally occurring or result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining or farming.
- Radiochemical contaminants, which occur naturally or result from oil and gas production and mining activities.
- Pesticides and herbicides that may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, stormwater runoff and residential uses.
- Organic chemical contaminants including synthetic and volatile organic compounds, which are byproducts of industrial processes and petroleum production, and also can come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff and septic systems.
Water Supply and Treatment
Prior to the 1980s, Scottsdale was 100 percent reliant on groundwater for our water supply. Today, 90 percent of our total water supply comes from renewable surface water sources and recycled water, helping us ensure a
Depending on the time of year, the weather and customer demand, you may receive water from a single source or from a combination of sources.
Water from Lake Mead is treated at Scottsdale CAP Plant
SURFACE WATER
Scottsdale’s main surface water supply comes from the Colorado River. It is transported through the Central Arizona Project canal to the CAP Water Treatment Plant at the Scottsdale Water Campus.
The CAP Plant, which can treat up to 70 million gallons of water a day, is actually three distinct facilities. CAP I and II use a conventional water treatment process, which includes pretreatment, coagulation/ flocculation, sedimentation, filtration and disinfection. Water at CAP III is treated with ultrafiltration membrane technology and disinfection. The CAP Plant uses granular activated carbon to improve taste and odor and treat for disinfection byproducts.
GROUNDWATER
A small portion of Scottsdale’s water supply also comes from aquifers deep below ground. The city has 23 active wells and operates several groundwater treatment facilities, including the Central Groundwater Treatment Facility and the North Groundwater Treatment Facility, which treat groundwater from the North Indian Bend Wash Superfund site. Both facilities were built by private companies that were deemed potentially responsible for contaminating the groundwater with Trichloroethylene. These companies pay operating and maintenance costs of the facilities. The groundwater is treated to levels that exceed federal and state drinking water standards, with regulatory oversight by the EPA, ADEQ and Maricopa County.
RECYCLED WATER
The Advanced Water Treatment Plant at the Scottsdale Water Campus is one of the largest and most advanced water recycling facilities in the world. The plant treats water from Scottsdale businesses and homes to ultrapure standards that exceed federal drinking water regulations. That water is then used for turf irrigation and to replenish our local aquifers.
Since 1998, the
We also receive surface water from the Verde and Salt rivers watersheds, which is transported by the Salt River Project to the Chaparral Water Treatment Plant. The Chaparral WTP uses ultrafiltration membranes and granular activated carbon and has a treatment capacity of 27 million gallons a day.
Scottsdale’s Water Supply Portfolio
12% |
|
|
Surface Water |
|
10% |
|
|
||
|
63% |
= CAP |
||
|
|
|||
|
|
15% |
= SRP |
|
78% |
|
|
Recycled Water |
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
Groundwater |
|
|
|
|
||
SOURCE WATER ASSESSMENT PROGRAM
In 2004, Scottsdale worked with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality to finalize an assessment on the wells and surface water sources we use to provide you with drinking water. This assessment looked at potential risks to our water sources, which include gas stations, landfills, dry cleaners, agricultural fields and wastewater treatment plants.
The assessment concluded that most of Scottsdale’s groundwater wells have low to medium risk, with the exception of the wells linked to the North Indian Bend Wash Superfund Site. The water produced
by these wells has a high risk of contamination, but is treated to meet or surpass drinking water standards and monitored closely by the city, ADEQ and the EPA.
All surface water sources are considered high risk due to their exposure to open air. These risks are addressed by the EPA through its increased monitoring requirements for surface water sources. The complete assessment is available at azdeq.gov/environ/water/dw/swap.html or by calling Scottsdale
Water at
Why choose tap over bottled water?
AFFORDABLE
A 25-ounce bottle can be refilled
1,200 timesfor just $1.
Your recommended
8 glasses of water a day cost 80 cents a year from Scottsdale Water.
SUSTAINABLE
On average, only 1 in 5 plastic water bottles are recycled.
80% end up in landfills and waterways.
SAFE
Our lab is so advanced it can test for some substances down to the part per quadrillion.
That’s equivalent to
one drop of water diluted in an ice cube the size of the Empire State Building!
WATER HARDNESS
As water makes its way to treatment plants or through aquifers, it picks up naturally occurring minerals that make the water “hard” and can also affect taste and other characteristics. Hardness is not a primary water quality standard and is not considered to be a health concern. Scottsdale is committed to providing you with the cleanest and safest drinking water possible, at an affordable price. We could implement additional treatment processes to address hardness, but this would not be cost effective, especially since the majority of residential water consumption is for outdoor use. There are varying levels of water hardness throughout Scottsdale as shown in the table to the right.
Approximate Hardness Levels
|
Hardness |
Hardness |
Boundary |
(Grains per |
(mg/L or |
|
Gallon) |
ppm) |
|
|
|
South of Indian School Road |
18 - 23 |
310 - 390 |
|
|
|
Indian School Road to Chaparral Road |
19 - 21 |
320 - 350 |
|
|
|
North of Chaparral Road |
15 - 17 |
260 - 300 |
|
|
|
Tier 3 Public Notice for the City of Scottsdale
We are required to monitor your drinking water for specific contaminants on a regular basis. Results of regular monitoring are an indicator of whether or not our drinking water meets health standards. During January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019, we did not complete all monitoring or testing for Mercury (Hg) and Cyanide (CN), and therefore cannot be sure of the quality of the drinking water during that time. There is nothing to do at this time.
What happened and what is being done? Testing for Hg and CN was performed at many locations throughout Scottsdale. One location, however, was not tested for those contaminants. That location was tested in 2018 and has since been tested in February 2020.
In both instances, neither contaminant was detected. Historically, Hg and CN have never been detected in our drinking water and Scottsdale is considered to be in compliance.
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
For more information, please contact Scottsdale Water at
2019 Compliance Monitoring Results
Scottsdale performs tests for an assortment of contaminants at locations throughout the city. We test samples from 10 entry points to the distribution system that represent the treated source water and at 150 locations throughout the distribution system to ensure the water entering your home or business remains safe and reliable.
We test for over 100 substances, but only the substances detected in the water are listed in this report. The results shown are from testing performed in 2019 unless otherwise noted.
A few substances are discussed in detail below. For more information about other substances or a complete list of all testing, please contact us at
Arsenic is a naturally occurring mineral commonly found in water due to leaching from rocks and soil. The maximum contaminant level for arsenic allowed in drinking water is 10 ppb (parts per billion), based on a running annual average.
While your drinking water meets or surpasses EPA’s standard for arsenic, it does contain low levels of arsenic. EPA is continually researching the health effects of low levels of arsenic, which has been known to cause cancer in humans at high concentrations and is linked to other health effects such as skin damage and circulatory problems. In 2019, the highest level
of arsenic measured in Scottsdale’s drinking water was 9 ppb. This source was run for testing purposes only.
Nitrate is an inorganic substance that is monitored due to run off from fertilizer use. Nitrate in drinking water at levels greater than 10 ppm (parts per million) is considered a health risk for infants younger than six months of age. (Nitrate levels above 10 ppm in drinking water can cause blue baby syndrome.) Nitrate levels in surface water supplies may rise quickly for short periods of time due to rainfall or agricultural activity. If you are caring for an infant you should seek advice from your health care provider. In 2019, the highest nitrate level detected in Scottsdale’s drinking water was 5.7 ppm.
Turbidity is a measure of clarity in the water and is reported as Nephelometric Turbidity Units. Turbidity is caused by a variety of substances including sand, dirt and algae. Water is measured for turbidity to determine the effectiveness of the water treatment process. Scottsdale measures turbidity continuously at its surface water treatment plants.
Microbiological Testing is performed monthly at over 150 sites within the distribution system for Total Coliform and E. coli bacteria in order to verify the integrity of the distribution system as well as our water sources.
Chlorine is used as a disinfectant to ensure the treated water remains safe at all times. We continually monitor chlorine levels throughout the system to ensure that safe and adequate levels are maintained. Scottsdale’s goal is to have a chlorine residual between 0.5 and 1.2 ppm in our drinking water system.
Byproducts of using chlorine as a disinfectant are trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids. These are formed as a result of a chemical reaction between chlorine and naturally occurring organic matter in the water. To minimize the
formation of these disinfection byproducts, granular activated carbon is used during the water treatment process to reduce levels of organic matter and subsequently reduce DBP levels.
Lead and copper are typically found in drinking water because of materials and components found in service lines and home plumbing. If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Scottsdale is committed to providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential
for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline
The most recent testing for lead and copper was performed in 2017. Lead and copper levels reported in the table are from water faucets inside 52 Scottsdale homes that were built before the lead ban. Results from all homes were below the action levels for lead and copper.
All residents participating in the lead and copper program are notified of their home’s results. If the lead concentration in a home’s water exceeds 15 ppb, the home is retested and the homeowner is contacted for
To further protect our customer’s from lead in drinking water, Scottsdale uses caution when changing to a new water source or changing an existing treatment process. Additional monitoring is performed to ensure the water is not corrosive to home plumbing.
Additional Monitoring
Cryptosporidium is a pathogen found in surface water throughout the United States and can be spread through other methods besides drinking water. Ingestion may cause a gastrointestinal illness. During periodic monitoring conducted in 2017, Cryptosporidium was not detected in our source waters. If present, this organism is removed during treatment through the use of multimedia filtration.
Results for Regulated Contaminants
Substance |
Unit |
MCL |
MCLG |
Lowest |
Highest |
System |
Highest Likely Source in Drinking Water |
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
Amount |
Amount |
Average |
Running |
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
Detected |
Detected |
|
Annual |
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average1 |
|
|
|||
Arsenic |
ppb |
10 |
0 |
|
ND |
92 |
3.8 |
|
92 |
Leaching of natural deposits |
||
Barium |
ppb |
2,000 |
2,000 |
|
20 |
117 |
72 |
|
116 |
Leaching of natural deposits |
||
Chromium |
ppb |
100 |
100 |
|
ND |
17.8 |
3.4 |
|
17.8 |
Leaching of natural deposits |
||
Fluoride |
ppm |
4 |
4 |
|
0.3 |
0.4 |
0.3 |
|
0.4 |
Leaching of natural deposits |
||
Nickel |
ppb |
N/A |
N/A |
|
ND |
1.9 |
0.8 |
|
1.9 |
Leaching of natural deposits |
||
Nitrate |
ppm |
10 |
10 |
|
ND |
5.7 |
1.7 |
|
N/A |
Leaching of natural deposits and septic |
||
|
|
systems; runoff from fertilizer use |
||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Selenium |
ppb |
50 |
50 |
|
ND |
2.7 |
1.9 |
|
2.7 |
Leaching of natural deposits; discharge from |
||
|
|
petroleum refineries and mining |
||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Alpha Emitters 3 |
pCi/L |
15 |
0 |
|
ND |
2.3 |
1.3 |
|
N/A |
Leaching of natural deposits |
||
Uranium |
ppb |
30 |
0 |
|
1.3 |
8.1 |
3.2 |
|
N/A |
Leaching of natural deposits |
||
Radium, Combined 3 |
pCi/L |
5 |
0 |
|
ND |
ND |
ND |
|
N/A |
Leaching of natural deposits |
||
Total Organic Carbon |
ppm |
TT |
N/A |
|
1.1 |
1.8 |
1.5 |
|
N/A |
Naturally present in the environment |
||
Total Xylenes |
ppb |
10,000 10,000 |
ND |
2.08 |
0.09 |
|
0.52 |
Discharge from petroleum factories, discharge |
||||
|
from chemical factories |
|||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Substance |
Unit |
MCL |
|
TT |
|
Highest |
|
Treatment Technique |
Likely Source in Drinking |
|||
|
|
|
|
|
Requirement |
Measurement |
|
|
Comparison |
Water |
||
Turbidity |
NTU |
1 |
95% less than 0.3 NTU |
0.18 |
|
100% less than 0.3 NTU |
Soil runoff |
|||||
Substance |
Unit |
MCL |
|
MCLG |
Lowest |
Highest |
|
Average |
Likely Source in Drinking Water |
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amount |
Amount |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Detected |
Detected |
|
|
|
||
Total Coliform |
% |
5 (monthly) |
0 |
0 |
0.6 |
|
|
0 |
Naturally present in the environment |
|||
Chlorine |
ppm |
4 (MRDL) |
|
4 (MRDLG) |
0.2 |
1.39 |
|
|
0.78 |
Water additive used to control |
||
|
|
|
microbial growth |
|||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total Trihalomethanes |
ppb |
80 |
|
N/A |
18.5 |
69.6 |
|
|
574 |
Byproduct of water disinfection |
||
(TTHMs) |
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Haloacetic Acids |
ppb |
60 |
|
N/A |
3.2 |
17.9 |
|
|
144 |
Byproduct of water disinfection |
||
Substance |
Unit |
AL |
|
MCLG |
90th |
# of Homes |
Levels in |
Likely Source in Drinking Water |
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percentile Greater than |
Treated |
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Value |
AL |
|
|
Water |
|
|
Lead 5 |
ppb |
15 |
|
0 |
1.83 |
0 of 52 |
|
ND - 2.9 |
Corrosion of household plumbing |
|||
Copper 5 |
ppb |
1,300 |
|
N/A |
1473 |
0 of 52 |
|
ND - 11.7 Corrosion of household plumbing |
||||
- Highest average at a single sample location
- Source ran for testing only and was taken out of service Oct. 1, 2019.
- 2017 sampling data
- Reported value is the highest locational running annual average (LRAA) calculated on a quarterly basis.
- Lead and Copper Standard: 90% of homes tested must have lead and copper levels below the alert level (AL).
Attention
If you are a person with a compromised immune system (i.e. undergoing chemotherapy, have had an organ transplant or have HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders) you may be particularly at risk of infections and more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water. Some elderly persons and
infants may also have increased risk. You are encouraged to seek advice about drinking water from your health care provider. More information including ways to lessen the risk of infection from microbial contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline
Results for Unregulated Contaminants
Substance
Unit
MCL
MCLG
Lowest
Amount
Detected
Highest
Amount
Detected
Alkalinity |
ppm |
NA |
NA |
116 |
248 |
|
Aluminum |
ppm |
NA |
NA |
ND |
0.13 |
|
Calcium |
ppm |
NA |
NA |
41 |
88 |
|
Chloride |
ppm |
NA |
NA |
38 |
256 |
|
Iron |
ppm |
NA |
NA |
ND |
0.3 |
|
Magnesium |
ppm |
NA |
NA |
15 |
53 |
|
Manganese |
ppm |
NA |
NA |
ND |
0.03 |
|
pH |
Std. Unit |
NA |
NA |
7.3 |
8.24 |
|
Sodium |
ppm |
NA |
NA |
43 |
124 |
|
Sulfate |
ppm |
NA |
NA |
18 |
248 |
|
Temperature |
oC |
NA |
NA |
16 |
34 |
|
oF |
NA |
NA |
61 |
93 |
||
|
||||||
Total Dissolved Solids |
ppm |
NA |
NA |
364 |
808 |
|
Zinc |
ppm |
NA |
NA |
ND |
0.04 |
RESULTS FOR UNREGULATED CONTAMINANT MONITORING RULE
In an ongoing effort to improve the safety of drinking water, the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR), part of the Safe Drinking Water Act, requires the EPA and water systems to assess the occurrence of unregulated contaminants in drinking water across the country. A new list of contaminants is issued about every five years and can contain up to 30 contaminants. The EPA uses this occurrence data along with health effects studies to determine if additional regulations are needed to protect public health.
Monitoring is performed at every location where source water enters the distribution system and some contaminants are also measured at points within the distribution system, where the water is consumed. The table below shows results of the most recent testing conducted in 2015.
Substance
Unit
MCL
MCLG
Lowest
Amount
Detected
Highest
Amount
Detected
Average
Likely Source in Drinking Water
Chlorate |
ppb |
N/A |
N/A |
180 |
250 |
180 |
(250 1) |
Byproduct of drinking water disinfection |
|
Chromium, |
ppb |
N/A |
N/A |
4.8 |
5.2 |
5.2 |
(4.8 1) |
Leaching of natural deposits |
|
Hexavalent |
|||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Molybdenum, Total |
ppb |
N/A |
N/A |
1.9 |
3 |
3 (1.9 1) |
Leaching of natural deposits |
||
Strontium, Total |
ppb |
N/A |
N/A |
1,100 |
1,300 |
1,300 |
(1,100 1) Leaching of natural deposits |
||
Vanadium, Total |
ppb |
N/A |
N/A |
9 |
9.9 |
9 (9.9 1) |
Leaching of natural deposits |
||
ppb |
N/A |
N/A |
0.27 |
0.27 |
0.27 |
Used primarily as a solvent, or solvent stabilizer |
|||
1. The first value listed is the average concentration in the source water; the second value listed is the average in the distribution system.
ADDITIONAL WATER INFORMATION RESOURCES
U.S. EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline
Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
Maricopa County Environmental Services Department
Este informe contiene informacion muy importante sobre su agua potable. Si desea una copia de este informe en español o tiene alguna pregunta sobre el, por favor llame a
Outreach and Education
Water Efficiency Workshops
Scottsdale Water offers free workshops designed to help you learn how to use water more efficiently in your home and yard. Topics include water- wise gardening, irrigation maintenance and troubleshooting, finding and fixing leaks and desert plants and pruning. Online registration is required for all workshops.
Rebates
Scottsdale Water has great rebates for anyone who wants to make smart changes to their property. The rebates cover installation of certain WaterSense fixtures and the removal of water softeners, water- intensive turf and pools and spas. Rebates are available for
Outreach Partnerships
Identify
EPA.gov/watersense
Scottsdale is one of 20 Arizona water partners in a water awareness campaign to promote easy tips for saving water.
WaterUseItWisely.com
Tap Into Quality is an educational campaign aimed at increasing awareness about the safety, convenience and affordability of the region’s tap water.
TapIntoQuality.com
Scottsdale works with STORM to educate the public on ways to protect the quality of stormwater runoff and protect our waterways. AZStorm.org
ScottsdaleAZ.gov/Water
Water Quality:
Free Publications
Scottsdale Water offers a range of free publications to help you conserve water in and around your home. To view the publications online or request a printed copy, visit us at ScottsdaleAZ.gov/Water or call
The Scottsdale Water Citizen Academy provides an inside look at your city’s water utility, which happens to be one of the most advanced municipal water systems in the country! The multiweek course explains all facets of Scottsdale Water planning and policies and takes you inside our
For more information, visit ScottsdaleAZ.gov
and search “Water Academy.”
Reminder
Always take extra precautions, the water may be safe to drink when it leaves the sewage treatment plant but it may pick up pollutants during its way to your tap. We advise that you ask locals or hotel staff about the water quality. Also, note that different cities have different water mineral contents.
Sources and Resources
Sources Cited
Scottsdale Tap Water
If you’ve read anything about Scottsdale, then you know that the water that comes from this area is top of the line. It’s clean, and it’s pure. There are even times that the treated water will be free from bacteria. However, you’ll find that there are times when the tap water in Scottsdale has an unfortunate odor. When this happens, it can be a big problem because your family could be putting their health at risk using the water that comes from their faucets.
If you want to give your family the purest water possible, you need to learn how to filter your tap water yourself. This is easier than you might think. You can remove the chemicals, but you can also remove the other contaminants in your water. Many people think that they need to filter everything out, but this is not necessary unless you’re going to be making your pure water or you’re going to distill it.
Water distillers aren’t challenging to use, and they do remove some of the harmful things from your water. However, if you want to filter everything out, you should look into a system like the one we’re talking about here. This is called a multi-filtration system, and it works to remove all of the harmful contaminants found in your water, along with the odor that comes with it. By filtering out all of these harmful things, you’re ensuring that your family’s health remains safe and your family’s drinking water remains pure.
Scottsdale Drinking Water
It’s hard to imagine the level of contamination that is in our tap water in Scottsdale, Arizona, let alone consider that there may be microbial cysts in our drinking water as well. There is so much pollution in the air that you would think we would have gotten rid of all the contaminants years ago, but sadly, it seems we haven’t. We’re just dealing with the aftermath now, and what happens next with this contaminated water supply will ultimately determine whether or not we ever have a clean water supply again.
The first thing that you need to do is get an accurate water analysis done. You can find these online easily through your water provider. Once you get your analysis, please read it and make sure that all of the contaminants mentioned are represented in the report. If there are multiple contaminants, then you need to contact your water provider immediately. Depending on the severity of the contamination, you may need to use reverse osmosis or other expensive methods to remove the water’s contaminants. Do yourself a favor and get your water tested.
Next, you need to know where the contaminants are coming from. In many areas, the water comes from the Colorado River and is heavily laden with chemicals like herbicides and pesticides. Since there is no treatment facility for this type of water, the contaminants stay in the water. Suppose you don’t want to become sick from drinking contaminated water. In that case, you need to invest in a home water cleaner that will remove the contaminants in your drinking water and remove the toxins in your shower water, your dishwater, and even the water that comes out of your tap!
Scottsdale Water Quality
Scottsdale is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, and is the capital of Pinal County. It is a place known for its beautiful scenery, business opportunities, and recreation opportunities and is also known as a recreational haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Scottsdale has a long-standing history of serving as the central point for all of the Southwest. It is a favorite tourist destination for those who come to the United States. It is a beautiful place to live in and has some great restaurants, shopping, sporting events, and other attractions. One can enjoy all of these things in this beautiful community.
The water supply in Scottsdale is excellent. This means that it is safe to drink from. There are no significant contaminants such as chemicals, bacteria, or microcosms present in the water. It is clean and safe to use. A good quality supply of water comes with guarantees, and the testing and treatment of your water are regularly scheduled to make sure that it meets all of the quality standards.
If you are interested in having your water tested, then you should contact your local testing laboratory. You can have your water quality tested at any time, day or night. During regular business hours, you should be able to access their service without waiting on hold. During other times of the year, you may have to arrange for an appointment. Once you have tested your water quality, you will want to do more to improve the quality. There are many great ways to do this, including making sure that you have plenty of clean and fresh water at home and in the car.
Scottsdale Water Utility
If you have an investment in a water-utility, you will probably want to protect it by investing in a Scottsdale water utility. The great news is that you have several choices regarding getting a good water utility, and the best way to choose one is to talk to an experienced professional who has installed water utilities in Scottsdale. When it comes to water-utility in Scottsdale, you need to get one from a reputable company with a good track record. You should also find out as much as possible about what the rates are for new accounts and also ask about any special discounts that may be available. While Scottsdale water utilities can cost more than average, they are also more effective at saving you money on your bill.
In most instances, your water utility company will install new meters and cartridges as well as new water softeners and appliances for free or at a discounted rate once you have signed a contract. They usually provide you with an installation service, so you won’t have to worry about doing this yourself. You can also find a good water utility in Scottsdale by searching on the Internet. Look at the different companies offering water utilities in Scottsdale before deciding which one to go with. Make sure that the company you are interested in has a good reputation, as well as plenty of customer testimonials to back up their services.
Once you have chosen your water utility in Scottsdale, you should know what to look for to get your best water-usage benefits. First of all, you should always have clean water that is free of limescale. Also, it would be best if you made sure that all of your appliances are working well. Finally, you need to keep your water-utility in good repair; otherwise, you won’t be able to enjoy all of the benefits of your new water utility. So start shopping around for the best water utility in Scottsdale now!
Scottsdale Water Sources
Scottsdale is the largest city in Arizona. The average household income is close to two hundred and five thousand dollars, and there is a vibrant real estate market. Scottsdale is a beautiful place to live, work, and raise a family. Scottsdale has all the amenities you could want in an urban area: schools, shopping, great food, and plenty of affordable housing. Scottsdale is known as one of the most popular places for new construction, and the growth in the downtown area is tremendous. One of Scottsdale’s newest developments is Third Street Promenade, a public open-air mall with over eighty restaurants, shops, condos, and apartments.
If you are considering a home in Scottsdale, now is the time to look at your water consumption. There are many water sources in Scottsdale. The two major water suppliers are the PUC (Tucson Electric Power) and the Tucson Water Board. Both of these companies provide clean, safe drinking water to residents of Scottsdale.
Many excellent water filtration systems are available to consumers that will take out the chemicals and unhealthy particles from your tap water. Also, many excellent water filtration systems will remove all of the sediment from your water. Many of these systems can be installed by the homeowner. If you have an older refrigerator or hot tub that does not use the type of filter you would want to use, now is the time to buy one. New filters can be bought online and in many stores.