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Not health advice. Contact your local water utility for concerns.
Data from EPA Water Quality Reports. For official information, contact your water utility or health department.
Comprehensive water safety analysis • Updated June 2026
Tempe's water meets EPA standards, though 0 contaminant(s) are elevated above 50% of limits.
•There are currently 1 unresolved EPA violation(s) for Tempe's water system.
Generally Safe. Tempe's tap water meets EPA standards. Score: 86/100.
Want to understand your score better? Learn how scores are calculated →
Is your neighbor's water better? See how Tempe's grade of A- (86/100) stacks up.
Guides matched to the contaminants found in your water
8 contaminants tested • EPA SDWIS data • Click any contaminant for details
| Contaminant | Level Detected | EPA Limit | % of Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fluoride | 0.764 mg/L | 4.00 mg/L | 19.1% | Safe |
| Copper | 0.215 mg/L | 1.30 mg/L | 16.5% | Safe |
| Mercury | 0.0003 mg/L | 0.0020 mg/L | 14.4% | Safe |
| Nitrate | 1.13 mg/L | 10.00 mg/L | 11.3% | Safe |
| Arsenic | 0.0009 mg/L | 0.010 mg/L | 8.7% | Safe |
| Chromium | 0.0080 mg/L | 0.100 mg/L | 8.0% | Safe |
| Nitrite | 0.069 mg/L | 1.00 mg/L | 6.9% | Safe |
| Total Trihalomethanes | 3.39 ug/L | 80.00 ug/L | 4.2% | Safe |
Based on detected contaminants in your water
Best for Tempe. Removes 95-99% of contaminants including heavy metals, PFAS, and nitrates.
APEC Water Systems RO — ~$200 on AmazonRemoves chlorine, improves taste, and filters many organic compounds. Great starting point.
| Filter Type | Best For | Typical Price |
|---|---|---|
| Reverse Osmosis | Lead, PFAS, arsenic, nitrates (95-99% removal) | $150-300 |
| Under-sink carbon block | Chlorine, VOCs, many organics; some lead/PFAS models | $100-250 |
| Pitcher / faucet carbon | Chlorine, taste; NSF 53 models also reduce lead | $20-50 |
See our full water filter comparison for certified products matched to specific contaminants.
Our data covers your city's water system, but contaminants can vary at the tap. A home water test gives you exact results for your faucet.
Get a Certified Home Water Test — Tap ScoreWe may earn a commission when you purchase through our links, at no extra cost to you. All recommendations are based on our independent analysis of Tempe's water quality data.
Specific to the contaminants found in Tempe's EPA-reported water data
Arsenic has been detected in Tempe's water supply. Long-term arsenic exposure, even at levels near EPA limits, is associated with increased risk of skin, lung, bladder, kidney, and liver cancers. Arsenic exposure can also cause cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and neurological effects. Skin changes like thickening and pigmentation may indicate chronic exposure. Reverse osmosis filtration is highly effective at removing arsenic from drinking water.
Elevated nitrate levels in Tempe's water pose particular risk to infants under six months. Nitrates can cause methemoglobinemia ("blue baby syndrome"), a condition where the blood cannot carry sufficient oxygen. Symptoms include bluish skin color, shortness of breath, and in severe cases, death. Formula-fed infants are at greatest risk. Pregnant women should also limit nitrate exposure. Boiling water does NOT remove nitrates—it actually concentrates them. Reverse osmosis or distillation systems effectively remove nitrates.
Past violations for Tempe's water system
MCL
Mercury - 2/4/2022
Resolvedmonitoring
Haloacetic Acids - 2/3/2025
How to contact your water provider and access official reports
The primary water provider for Tempe is TEMPE WATER SYSTEM (Public Water System ID: AZ834546), serving approximately 176,407 residents. This utility is responsible for treating, testing, and delivering drinking water that meets EPA standards under the Safe Drinking Water Act. As a regulated public water system, it is required to conduct regular testing for over 90 contaminants and publish results in an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) that must be made available to all customers by July 1 each year.
Your water utility is legally obligated to notify customers within 24 hours of any violation that poses an immediate health risk, and within 30 days for less urgent violations. If you are concerned about your water quality, you have the right to request testing data from your utility at any time. For independent verification, you can have your water tested at the tap by a state-certified laboratory. The EPA maintains a list of certified labs by state at epa.gov/dwlabcert. Home testing is particularly important because it captures contamination from your household plumbing that utility testing at distribution points would not detect.
Tempe Water Quality Score
Based on EPA contaminant data and compliance records
Even with good water quality, a filter removes trace contaminants and improves taste.
Best for Arsenic Removal
APEC Reverse Osmosis System
Multi-stage RO removes arsenic to safe levels — the EPA-recommended treatment for arsenic.
Check Price on AmazonNot sure what filter you need?
Get a lab-certified water test to know exactly what's in your tap water.
Test Your Water with Tap ScoreWe may earn a commission when you purchase through our links, at no extra cost to you.
Based on contaminants detected in your water, these resources may be helpful:
Find the right filter for your Tempe water quality needs:
Understand the contaminants that may be present in Tempe's water supply and their health effects.
Matched to the contaminants actually detected in Tempe's water
Arsenic was detected in Tempe's water — reverse osmosis is highly effective at removing it.
We may earn a commission when you purchase through our links, at no extra cost to you.
Understand your water better with our in-depth guides on contaminants, filtration, and water safety.
Tempe's 86/100 score measured against the Arizona average and the national benchmark
Tempe has no contaminants above EPA limits today, though its 2 recorded compliance events are the main reason its grade is A- rather than higher.
Compared with the Arizona average of 78.5, Tempe scores 7.5 points above the state average. Among the 40 Arizona cities we track, Tempe ranks #14 — in the top third of the state.
Against the national benchmark of 80.8/100, Tempe comes in 5.2 points above the national average. The contaminant closest to its limit here is Fluoride, measured at 19.1% of the EPA limit, comfortably within the safe range. At the other end, Total Trihalomethanes is its cleanest reading at just 4.2% of the limit.
For Tempe residents, current contaminant levels are reassuring; the compliance events on record are historical context rather than an active health warning, but they are worth understanding via the EPA databases linked below.
Tempe's drinking water is managed by TEMPE WATER SYSTEM, which serves approximately 176,407 residents through surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. Our analysis of 8 tested contaminants reveals a quality score of 86/100, placing Tempe above average compared to other Arizona cities.
Tempe's water quality is strong across all tested parameters, with all contaminants well within EPA safety limits. This reflects effective water treatment and well-maintained infrastructure.
Tempe's water system has 2 documented EPA violations in its compliance history. Some remain unresolved, which may affect ongoing water quality. Compliance history is one of the factors in our scoring methodology.
This report is based on data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) and the EPA Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO) database. Our scoring algorithm weighs contaminant analysis (50%), compliance history (30%), and infrastructure factors (20%). Data is sourced directly from public EPA records and Consumer Confidence Reports. We are an independent resource with no affiliation to water utilities or government agencies. Learn more about our methodology.
Common questions from Tempe, Arizona residents about their drinking water
Yes, Tempe's tap water generally meets EPA safety standards with a quality score of 86/100 (Grade A-). All 8 tested contaminants are within legal limits, indicating the water treatment process is effective. However, water quality at your faucet can differ from what leaves the treatment plant due to your home's plumbing. Older homes built before 1986 may have lead solder or galvanized pipes that introduce contaminants. Even with a good score, a basic water filter can improve taste and provide extra peace of mind.
Tempe's water has been tested for 8 contaminants spanning inorganic chemicals, disinfection byproducts, organic compounds, radionuclides, and microorganisms. All tested contaminants are within safe limits, with 8 contaminants well below 50% of their respective EPA Maximum Contaminant Levels.' See the full contaminant breakdown table above for detailed measurements and EPA limit comparisons.
Tempe has a water quality score of 86/100, earning a grade of A-. This score is calculated using EPA SDWIS data and weighs three factors: contaminant levels (50% of score), regulatory compliance history (30%), and infrastructure factors (20%). The national average is approximately 72/100. Tempe's score of 86 is 14 points above the national average, indicating excellent water quality management. Learn more about how scores are calculated.
Based on Tempe's water quality profile, we recommend a reverse osmosis (RO) system for the most comprehensive filtration. Arsenic is present, and RO systems typically remove over 95% of arsenic. A quality RO system costs approximately $150-300 and is installed under the kitchen sink. Even in cities with good water quality, a filter provides an additional layer of protection against contaminants that may enter water from your home's plumbing. View our water filter comparison guide for specific product recommendations.
Tempe's primary water system, TEMPE WATER SYSTEM (PWS ID: AZ834546), sources water from surface water such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from agricultural runoff, industrial discharge, and stormwater, which is why extensive multi-step treatment including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection is required. This system serves approximately 176,407 residents.
Lead testing in Tempe shows levels within EPA action level guidelines. However, lead contamination is primarily a household plumbing issue rather than a water source issue. Lead can enter water from lead service lines, lead solder (used in homes built before 1986), and brass fixtures. Even if your city's water is lead-free at the treatment plant, your home's plumbing may introduce lead. Homes built before 1986 should consider testing their water at the tap. Running cold water for 30 seconds before drinking is always a good practice.
Yes, Tempe's water system has 2 documented EPA violations in its compliance history. 1 violation remains unresolved and should be actively addressed by the water utility. Violations can include exceeding contaminant limits, failure to conduct required testing, or failure to properly notify customers. Water utilities are required by the Safe Drinking Water Act to address violations and notify affected customers. You can look up the full violation history through the EPA's ECHO database or by contacting your water utility directly.
There are several options for testing your water in Tempe. For the most comprehensive results, use a state-certified laboratory (find one at epa.gov/dwlabcert). Home test kits like Tap Score provide EPA-certified lab analysis with easy-to-understand results. Basic test strips available at hardware stores can screen for common parameters like chlorine, pH, hardness, and lead, though they are less accurate than laboratory testing. You can also request the latest testing data directly from TEMPE WATER SYSTEM. Testing at your tap is important because it captures contamination from your household plumbing that city-level monitoring at distribution points does not detect.