Short answer
Yes, it meets federal and state legal limits. But several East Valley cities report PFAS, arsenic or chromium-6 at levels above independent health guidelines. If that worries you, a reverse osmosis system at the kitchen sink removes most of it from the water you drink.
Legal limits vs. health guidelines
Every city water report says the water meets EPA standards, and it does. But legal limits balance health with what it costs a city to treat water. Independent health guidelines are often stricter. Water can be legal and still contain things you’d rather not drink every day.
What’s in East Valley water?
- PFAS (“forever chemicals”). Found in Gilbert, disclosed by Arizona Water Company in Apache Junction, and being monitored in Florence and San Tan Valley.
- Arsenic. Comes naturally from desert rock. Higher in cities that rely on groundwater, like San Tan Valley, Apache Junction and Florence.
- Chromium-6. Above health guidelines in Gilbert and Mesa, while within the legal limit.
- Chlorine byproducts. Form when the chlorine that keeps pipes safe reacts with natural matter in the water.
- Nitrates. Found in some Apache Junction groundwater. Most concerning for babies.
See your city’s details: Gilbert, Mesa, Chandler, Queen Creek, San Tan Valley, Apache Junction, Florence.
Does boiling or a pitcher filter help?
Boiling kills germs but doesn’t remove PFAS, arsenic or nitrates. It can even concentrate them. Most pitcher and fridge filters improve taste and chlorine, but they aren’t built to reliably remove PFAS or arsenic.
What actually works?
Reverse osmosis at the kitchen sink is the most effective home option. It removes most PFAS, 88–96% of arsenic, 96–98% of lead and 86–98% of chromium-6, for the water you drink and cook with.
Is it safe to shower in?
Yes. The concerns above are mainly about drinking water over years. In the shower, chlorine and hard water are what you’ll notice, as dry skin and hair. A whole house filter and softener take care of those.
Common questions
Does a water softener make tap water safer to drink?
No. A softener only removes hardness minerals. It doesn’t remove PFAS, arsenic or lead. Reverse osmosis does.
Is bottled water better than tap water in Arizona?
Not necessarily. Bottled water isn’t tested to a stricter standard, and it costs far more over time. Reverse osmosis gives you bottled-quality water at the tap.