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Community Water System · PWS AZ0412011

Liberty Water Rio Rico

Sierra Vista, Arizona 85635 - drinking water served from groundwater sources to 17,960 people, tracked in EPA SDWIS and UCMR5.

17,960
People served
484
EPA violations
5
Health-based
7 PFAS
UCMR5 result

The verdict

EPA records 484 drinking-water violations at Liberty Water Rio Rico, 1% of them health-based - above the Arizona per-system average, and UCMR5 testing detected 7 PFAS compounds.

484
Total EPA violations on record
1%
Health-based (MCL / treatment failure)
17,960
People served by this system
7
PFAS compounds detected (UCMR5)

Water Quality Snapshot: Liberty Water Rio Rico

Liberty Water Rio Rico is a private-owned community water system that delivers drinking water to 17,960 residents in Sierra Vista, Arizona (Santa Cruz County) through 7,184 service connections. Its water is drawn from groundwater sources. EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System records 484 total violations for this system , of which 5 (1%) are health-based, meaning a contaminant exceeded an EPA Maximum Contaminant Level or a required treatment technique failed. A further 458 monitoring and reporting violations are on file. The most recent violation on record dates to 2024.

The most frequently cited contaminant at this system is Nitrate, recorded in 28 violations (MR). Under EPA's UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program, 7 PFAS compounds were detected in samples collected from this system, with a maximum reported concentration of 40.9 ppt (parts per trillion). PFAS are persistent synthetic chemicals linked to health effects at very low exposure levels.

Across Arizona, EPA tracks 1,493 public water systems serving 7,322,166 people, with 228,944 cumulative violations and 15,663 health-based violations on record. About 98% of systems in the state carry at least one violation, and state-wide the average per system is 153.3 violations. Statewide, 145 of 152 UCMR5-tested systems have reported PFAS detections (95.4%).

Liberty Water Rio Rico's 484 violations sit above the Arizona average.

All figures above are sourced directly from EPA SDWIS and UCMR5 public data releases and are updated as EPA publishes new reporting cycles.

PFAS Detected

7 PFAS "forever chemicals" detected in testing under EPA's UCMR5 monitoring program.

Population Served
17,960
Total Violations
484
Health-Based Violations
5
Water Source
Groundwater

System Details

System Type
Community
Owner Type
Private
Connections
7,184
County
Santa Cruz
School/Daycare
No
MCL Violations
5
Monitoring Violations
458
Treatment Tech Violations
0

Violation History

Contaminant violations recorded by EPA.

Contaminant Category Count Latest
Nitrate MR 28 2013
TTHM MR 23 2023
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) MR 23 2023
Chlorine MR 20 2016
trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene MR 12 2011
1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene MR 12 2011
cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene MR 12 2011
Xylenes, Total MR 12 2011
o-Dichlorobenzene MR 12 2011
p-Dichlorobenzene MR 12 2011
1,1-Dichloroethylene MR 12 2011
1,2-Dichloroethane MR 12 2011
1,1,1-Trichloroethane MR 12 2011
Carbon tetrachloride MR 12 2011
1,2-Dichloropropane MR 12 2011
Tetrachloroethylene MR 12 2011
CHLOROBENZENE MR 12 2011
Toluene MR 12 2011
DICHLOROMETHANE MR 12 2011
Styrene MR 12 2011
Trichloroethylene MR 12 2011
Benzene MR 12 2011
Ethylbenzene MR 12 2011
1,1,2-Trichloroethane MR 12 2011
Consumer Confidence Rule Other 11 2015
2,3,7,8-TCDD MR 10 2007
1,2-DIBROMO-3-CHLOROPROPANE MR 10 2007
Nickel MR 9 2010
ETHYLENE DIBROMIDE MR 9 2007
Coliform (TCR) MR 8 2014

PFAS Testing Results (UCMR5)

Results from EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule. 27 of 348 samples detected PFAS.

Contaminant Date Result MRL Status
PFUnA 4/17/2023 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxS 4/17/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpA 4/17/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBS 4/17/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeA 4/17/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
8:2 FTS 4/17/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
4:2 FTS 4/17/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDA 4/17/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS 4/17/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeS 4/17/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOS 4/17/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFNA 4/17/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
HFPO-DA 4/17/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOA 4/17/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBA 4/17/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
6:2 FTS 4/17/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
NMeFOSAA 4/17/2023 <6.00 ppt 6.00 ppt Not Detected
NEtFOSAA 4/17/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMPA 4/17/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTA 4/17/2023 <8.00 ppt 8.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDoA 4/17/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpS 4/17/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
NFDHA 4/17/2023 <20.00 ppt 20.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMBA 4/17/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
ADONA 4/17/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS 4/17/2023 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxA 4/17/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFEESA 4/17/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTrDA 4/17/2023 <7.00 ppt 7.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeS 4/17/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
6:2 FTS 4/17/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
4:2 FTS 4/17/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
8:2 FTS 4/17/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMPA 4/17/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeA 4/17/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMBA 4/17/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxS 4/17/2023 4.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Detected
NFDHA 4/17/2023 <20.00 ppt 20.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpS 4/17/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBS 4/17/2023 6.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Detected
PFBA 4/17/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOS 4/17/2023 10.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Detected
PFOA 4/17/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFEESA 4/17/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpA 4/17/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
NMeFOSAA 4/17/2023 <6.00 ppt 6.00 ppt Not Detected
NEtFOSAA 4/17/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTrDA 4/17/2023 <7.00 ppt 7.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDoA 4/17/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
HFPO-DA 4/17/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected

Verify This Water System

The figures above are aggregated from EPA's public databases. To verify the underlying records, or to file a complaint, request a Consumer Confidence Report, or check current monitoring status, go directly to the federal and state regulators that enforce the Safe Drinking Water Act for Liberty Water Rio Rico.

Federal Source of Truth

EPA SDWIS, Federal Reports

EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) holds the federal compliance record for every regulated public water system. Open the system-level report by PWS ID:

View PWS ID AZ0412011 on SDWIS

Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Reports Search

State Regulator

Arizona Drinking Water Authority

Arizona DEQ, Drinking Water Program is the primacy agency that licenses and inspects Liberty Water Rio Rico under EPA-delegated authority.

Open AZ regulator portal

Source: Arizona DEQ, Drinking Water Program

Violation Timeline

Each row links to the EPA SDWIS public record for verification. Cross-reference the contaminant code on EPA's federal report to see violation dates, return-to-compliance status, and enforcement actions.

Year (latest) Contaminant Category Count EPA Record
2024 Revised Total Coliform Rule RPT 2 SDWIS / AZ0412011 / 8000
2023 TTHM MR 23 SDWIS / AZ0412011 / 2950
2023 Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) MR 23 SDWIS / AZ0412011 / 2456
2016 Chlorine MR 20 SDWIS / AZ0412011 / 0999
2015 Consumer Confidence Rule Other 11 SDWIS / AZ0412011 / 7000
2014 Coliform (TCR) MR 8 SDWIS / AZ0412011 / 3100
2014 Coliform (TCR) MCL 4 SDWIS / AZ0412011 / 3100
2014 E. COLI MR 2 SDWIS / AZ0412011 / 3014
2013 Nitrate MR 28 SDWIS / AZ0412011 / 1040
2013 Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate MR 2 SDWIS / AZ0412011 / 2039
2011 trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene MR 12 SDWIS / AZ0412011 / 2979
2011 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene MR 12 SDWIS / AZ0412011 / 2378
2011 cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene MR 12 SDWIS / AZ0412011 / 2380
2011 Xylenes, Total MR 12 SDWIS / AZ0412011 / 2955
2011 o-Dichlorobenzene MR 12 SDWIS / AZ0412011 / 2968

How Liberty Water Rio Rico Compares

Cross-reference this system's record against state averages and the federal MCL framework for context.

Metric Liberty Water Rio Rico Arizona avg Federal benchmark
Total violations 484 153.3 SDWA compliance, any non-zero count is a recorded breach
Health-based violations 5 10.5 Indicates a contaminant exceeded a federal MCL
PFAS detection 7 compounds 95.4% EPA final rule (2024): PFOA/PFOS MCL = 4.0 ppt
Population served 17,960 4,904 Sizing context for compliance burden

Sources: EPA SDWIS and EPA National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (40 CFR Part 141). State averages computed across 1,493 regulated public water systems in Arizona.

Federal MCL reference, Safe Drinking Water Act thresholds ▼
Contaminant Federal MCL / Action Level Note
Lead 0 mg/L (Action Level: 0.015 mg/L) Lead and Copper Rule treatment technique
Arsenic 0.010 mg/L (10 ppb) Health-based MCL since 2006
Total Coliform Treatment technique (RTCR) Indicator organism, monitoring trigger
PFOA / PFOS (PFAS) 4.0 ppt each (final 2024 rule) Compliance deadline 2029 (EPA proposed extending to 2031, not yet final as of May 2026)
Nitrate (as N) 10 mg/L Acute health risk for infants

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Liberty Water Rio Rico water safe to drink? ▼
Liberty Water Rio Rico (PWS ID: AZ0412011) has 484 recorded violations in the EPA SDWIS database. PFAS contamination has been detected in UCMR5 testing, with 7 PFAS compounds found. This system serves 17,960 people using Groundwater sources.
How many people does Liberty Water Rio Rico serve? ▼
Liberty Water Rio Rico serves 17,960 people in Sierra Vista, Arizona. It is a Private-owned system using Groundwater water sources with 7,184 service connections.
What type of violations does Liberty Water Rio Rico have? ▼
Liberty Water Rio Rico has 484 total violations: 5 health-based violations (MCL exceedances or treatment failures), 458 monitoring/reporting violations, and 0 treatment technique violations. Health-based violations indicate contaminant levels exceeded EPA safe limits.
Has PFAS been detected in Liberty Water Rio Rico water? ▼
Yes. UCMR5 testing detected 7 PFAS compounds in Liberty Water Rio Rico's water supply: PFHxS, PFBS, PFOS, PFHxA, PFOA, and others. PFAS are persistent "forever chemicals" that do not break down in the environment.
What water source does Liberty Water Rio Rico use? ▼
Liberty Water Rio Rico uses Groundwater as its primary water source. It is classified as a Community Water System (CWS), serving residential populations year-round.
Where does this data come from? ▼
All data comes from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) and the UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program. SDWIS tracks compliance for all public water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Data Sources: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), Q4 2025. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 monitoring program (2023-2025). This data is provided for informational purposes only.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Data sourced from EPA SDWIS and UCMR5 PFAS monitoring data. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainWater Editorial

Every figure on PlainWater is rendered directly from EPA SDWIS drinking-water data, no number is typed in by an editor. This system's figures are rendered directly from EPA SDWIS data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.