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States → Arizona

Non-Transient Non-Community Water System · PWS AZ0420423

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona 85754 - drinking water served from groundwater sources to 50,000 people, tracked in EPA SDWIS and UCMR5.

50,000
People served
1,168
EPA violations
1
Health-based
3 PFAS
UCMR5 result

The verdict

EPA records 1,168 drinking-water violations at University of Arizona - above the Arizona per-system average, and UCMR5 testing detected 3 PFAS compounds.

1,168
Total EPA violations on record
0%
Health-based (MCL / treatment failure)
50,000
People served by this system
3
PFAS compounds detected (UCMR5)

Water Quality Snapshot: University of Arizona

University of Arizona is a state-owned non-transient non-community water system that delivers drinking water to 50,000 residents in Tucson, Arizona (Pima County) through 139 service connections. Its water is drawn from groundwater sources. EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System records 1,168 total violations for this system , of which 1 (0%) are health-based, meaning a contaminant exceeded an EPA Maximum Contaminant Level or a required treatment technique failed. A further 1,159 monitoring and reporting violations are on file. The most recent violation on record dates to 2021.

The most frequently cited contaminant at this system is Nitrate, recorded in 38 violations (MR). Under EPA's UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program, 3 PFAS compounds were detected in samples collected from this system, with a maximum reported concentration of 7.4 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%).

University of Arizona's 1,168 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

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

Population Served
50,000
Total Violations
1,168
Health-Based Violations
1
Water Source
Groundwater

System Details

System Type
Non-Transient Non-Community
Owner Type
State
Connections
139
County
Pima
School/Daycare
Yes
MCL Violations
1
Monitoring Violations
1,159
Treatment Tech Violations
0

Violation History

Contaminant violations recorded by EPA.

Contaminant Category Count Latest
Nitrate MR 38 2012
Chlorine MR 29 2015
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) MR 26 2021
TTHM MR 26 2021
1,2-Dichloropropane MR 21 2013
Trichloroethylene MR 21 2013
Tetrachloroethylene MR 21 2013
CHLOROBENZENE MR 21 2013
p-Dichlorobenzene MR 21 2013
Toluene MR 20 2013
DICHLOROMETHANE MR 20 2013
1,2-DIBROMO-3-CHLOROPROPANE MR 20 2013
ETHYLENE DIBROMIDE MR 20 2013
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate MR 20 2017
Styrene MR 19 2013
trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene MR 19 2013
1,1,1-Trichloroethane MR 18 2013
Carbon tetrachloride MR 18 2013
1,1,2-Trichloroethane MR 18 2013
Ethylbenzene MR 18 2013
1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene MR 18 2013
cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene MR 18 2013
Xylenes, Total MR 18 2013
Benzene MR 18 2013
1,1-Dichloroethylene MR 18 2013
1,2-Dichloroethane MR 18 2013
Diquat MR 18 2013
Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate MR 18 2013
Simazine MR 18 2013
2,4-D MR 18 2013

PFAS Testing Results (UCMR5)

Results from EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule. 10 of 406 samples detected PFAS.

Contaminant Date Result MRL Status
PFMPA 5/9/2024 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxA 5/9/2024 4.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Detected
PFUnA 5/9/2024 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS 5/9/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
ADONA 5/9/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBA 5/9/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
6:2 FTS 5/9/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDoA 5/9/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
8:2 FTS 5/9/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS 5/9/2024 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeA 5/9/2024 5.40 ppt 3.00 ppt Detected
PFMBA 5/9/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFEESA 5/9/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
NFDHA 5/9/2024 <20.00 ppt 20.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeS 5/9/2024 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpS 5/9/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
4:2 FTS 5/9/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
NEtFOSAA 5/9/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
HFPO-DA 5/9/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDA 5/9/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
NMeFOSAA 5/9/2024 <6.00 ppt 6.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTrDA 5/9/2024 <7.00 ppt 7.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBS 5/9/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpA 5/9/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxS 5/9/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFNA 5/9/2024 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOS 5/9/2024 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOA 5/9/2024 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTA 5/9/2024 <8.00 ppt 8.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBS 5/9/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeA 5/9/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeS 5/9/2024 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
NFDHA 5/9/2024 <20.00 ppt 20.00 ppt Not Detected
PFEESA 5/9/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMBA 5/9/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpS 5/9/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMPA 5/9/2024 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
8:2 FTS 5/9/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
4:2 FTS 5/9/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
6:2 FTS 5/9/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
HFPO-DA 5/9/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS 5/9/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBA 5/9/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpA 5/9/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS 5/9/2024 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxS 5/9/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
ADONA 5/9/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
NMeFOSAA 5/9/2024 <6.00 ppt 6.00 ppt Not Detected
NEtFOSAA 5/9/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTrDA 5/9/2024 <7.00 ppt 7.00 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 University of Arizona.

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 AZ0420423 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 University of Arizona 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
2021 Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) MR 26 SDWIS / AZ0420423 / 2456
2021 TTHM MR 26 SDWIS / AZ0420423 / 2950
2020 Lead and Copper Rule MR 4 SDWIS / AZ0420423 / 5000
2019 E. COLI MR 5 SDWIS / AZ0420423 / 3014
2017 Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate MR 20 SDWIS / AZ0420423 / 2039
2015 Chlorine MR 29 SDWIS / AZ0420423 / 0999
2013 1,2-Dichloropropane MR 21 SDWIS / AZ0420423 / 2983
2013 Trichloroethylene MR 21 SDWIS / AZ0420423 / 2984
2013 Tetrachloroethylene MR 21 SDWIS / AZ0420423 / 2987
2013 CHLOROBENZENE MR 21 SDWIS / AZ0420423 / 2989
2013 p-Dichlorobenzene MR 21 SDWIS / AZ0420423 / 2969
2013 Toluene MR 20 SDWIS / AZ0420423 / 2991
2013 DICHLOROMETHANE MR 20 SDWIS / AZ0420423 / 2964
2013 1,2-DIBROMO-3-CHLOROPROPANE MR 20 SDWIS / AZ0420423 / 2931
2013 ETHYLENE DIBROMIDE MR 20 SDWIS / AZ0420423 / 2946

How University of Arizona Compares

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

Metric University of Arizona Arizona avg Federal benchmark
Total violations 1,168 153.3 SDWA compliance, any non-zero count is a recorded breach
Health-based violations 1 10.5 Indicates a contaminant exceeded a federal MCL
PFAS detection 3 compounds 95.4% EPA final rule (2024): PFOA/PFOS MCL = 4.0 ppt
Population served 50,000 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 University of Arizona water safe to drink? ▼
University of Arizona (PWS ID: AZ0420423) has 1168 recorded violations in the EPA SDWIS database. PFAS contamination has been detected in UCMR5 testing, with 3 PFAS compounds found. This system serves 50,000 people using Groundwater sources.
How many people does University of Arizona serve? ▼
University of Arizona serves 50,000 people in Tucson, Arizona. It is a State-owned system using Groundwater water sources with 139 service connections.
What type of violations does University of Arizona have? ▼
University of Arizona has 1,168 total violations: 1 health-based violations (MCL exceedances or treatment failures), 1,159 monitoring/reporting violations, and 0 treatment technique violations. Health-based violations indicate contaminant levels exceeded EPA safe limits.
Has PFAS been detected in University of Arizona water? ▼
Yes. UCMR5 testing detected 3 PFAS compounds in University of Arizona's water supply: PFHxA, PFPeA, PFBA. PFAS are persistent "forever chemicals" that do not break down in the environment.
What water source does University of Arizona use? ▼
University of Arizona uses Groundwater as its primary water source. It is classified as a Non-Transient Non-Community Water System, serving the same people for at least 6 months per year.
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.