Your Arizona Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) is the annual water quality report your utility must publish by July 1 under EPA rules. To read it, focus on four sections: source water (Salt River Project, Central Arizona Project, or wells), detected contaminants vs MCL limits, hardness in mg/L or GPG, and disinfection byproducts (TTHMs and HAA5). These four cover 90% of practical concerns.
What Is a Consumer Confidence Report?
A Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) is the annual drinking water quality report that every community water system in the United States must publish by July 1 each year, covering the previous calendar year's monitoring data. The requirement comes from the 1996 Amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act and is enforced by the EPA. CCRs list the source water, all detected regulated and unregulated contaminants, the federal limits (MCLs and MRDLs), violations if any, and language explaining what each substance is and where it comes from.
In Arizona, all 600+ community water systems must publish a CCR, including the City of Phoenix, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe, Scottsdale, Glendale, Peoria, Tucson Water, EPCOR, and dozens of smaller districts. Most utilities post the report on their website by June and email a link to customers. Aquafeel Solutions Arizona uses these CCRs daily to set baseline expectations before any in-home test.
Key Acronyms and Terms (Glossary)
CCRs use a specific vocabulary that the EPA standardizes across all utilities. Memorizing these few terms makes the rest of the report readable in minutes.
| Term | What It Means |
|---|---|
| MCL | Maximum Contaminant Level - the legal upper limit for a contaminant in drinking water |
| MCLG | Maximum Contaminant Level Goal - the level below which there is no known health risk (often zero) |
| MRDL | Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level - the legal limit for chlorine or chloramine |
| MRDLG | Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal - the safe target level for disinfectant residual |
| AL | Action Level - the concentration that triggers required corrosion control or other treatment |
| ND | Not Detected - the contaminant was below the laboratory detection limit |
| ppm / mg/L | Parts per million (equivalent to milligrams per liter) |
| ppb / ug/L | Parts per billion (equivalent to micrograms per liter) |
| TT | Treatment Technique - required treatment that the utility must perform |
| SMCL | Secondary MCL - non-enforceable aesthetic standard (taste, odor, color) |
Source: EPA Consumer Confidence Reports rule (40 CFR 141 Subpart O); EPA "Understanding Your Water Bill" guide.
Step-by-Step: How to Read Your CCR
Step 1: Identify Your Source Water
The first section of every CCR identifies where the water comes from. In Arizona, you'll see one or more of: Colorado River via the Central Arizona Project (CAP), Salt River and Verde River via the Salt River Project (SRP), local groundwater wells, or recycled/recharged water. Phoenix uses roughly 60% SRP surface water and 40% CAP, plus emergency wells. The blend changes seasonally and affects everything downstream including hardness and TDS.
Step 2: Scan for Violations
Look for any line that says "Violation: Yes" or includes a flag, asterisk, or bold call-out. EPA rules require utilities to clearly highlight any MCL or treatment technique violation. The vast majority of Arizona CCRs report zero violations. If you see one, the report must explain the health effect, the date of the violation, and the corrective action taken.
Step 3: Check Detected Contaminants Against MCLs
The contaminant table lists every regulated substance the utility detected, along with the highest level, the average level, the range, the MCL, and the source. The most important columns are "Highest Level Detected" and "MCL." If the highest detected value is below the MCL, the utility is in compliance for that contaminant. Pay attention to any value that is more than 50% of the MCL because that signals headroom is shrinking.
Step 4: Find Hardness and TDS (Often "Unregulated")
Hardness, TDS, sodium, sulfate, and chloride are usually listed in the "Unregulated Contaminants" or "Aesthetic Quality" section because they affect taste and household effects rather than health. This is where you'll see Phoenix-area hardness in the 290-342 mg/L range (17-20 GPG) and TDS in the 450-600 mg/L range. These values are not violations but indicate the need for softening and possibly RO at home.
Step 5: Check Disinfection Byproducts
Disinfection byproducts (DBPs) form when chlorine or chloramine reacts with organic matter in source water. The two regulated groups are total trihalomethanes (TTHMs, MCL of 80 ppb) and five haloacetic acids (HAA5, MCL of 60 ppb). Phoenix typically reports TTHMs at 30-50 ppb and HAA5 at 20-35 ppb, both well under federal limits. Higher numbers warrant carbon filtration.
Step 6: Note Lead and Copper Action Levels
Lead and copper are reported separately under the Lead and Copper Rule. The EPA action levels are 15 ppb for lead and 1.3 mg/L for copper, measured at the 90th percentile of household tap samples. If your utility shows any sample above these levels, the report explains the corrosion control adjustments being made. Much of Phoenix's lead risk comes from older home plumbing rather than the supply.
Phoenix CCR: Sample Walkthrough
Using the most recent City of Phoenix Water Quality Report as a representative example:
- Source water: 60% SRP, 40% CAP, supplemental wells
- Disinfectant: Chloramine, average 2.6 mg/L (MRDL 4 mg/L)
- TTHMs: 38 ppb average (MCL 80 ppb) - compliant
- HAA5: 27 ppb average (MCL 60 ppb) - compliant
- Arsenic: 3 ppb (MCL 10 ppb) - compliant
- Nitrate: 1.2 mg/L (MCL 10 mg/L) - compliant
- Lead at 90th percentile tap: 2 ppb (AL 15 ppb) - no action required
- Hardness: 320 mg/L average (about 19 GPG) - very hard, listed as unregulated
- TDS: 540 mg/L average - above EPA 500 mg/L SMCL
Source: City of Phoenix 2025 Water Quality Report. Numbers vary slightly each year.
What CCRs Don't Tell You
CCRs report water quality at the treatment plant or distribution sampling points, not at your specific tap. Your home's plumbing can add lead from older pipes, copper from corrosion, and bacteria from sediment in water heaters. CCRs also do not cover unregulated emerging contaminants like PFAS, pharmaceuticals, or microplastics unless the utility voluntarily tests for them. The EPA added six PFAS compounds to the regulated list in 2024 with compliance deadlines in 2027-2029.
How to Find Your Arizona CCR Online
- Phoenix: phoenix.gov/waterservices then Water Quality » Annual Water Quality Reports
- Mesa: mesaaz.gov/water then Water Quality Reports
- Chandler: chandleraz.gov/water then Annual Reports
- Gilbert: gilbertaz.gov/water then Water Quality
- Tempe: tempe.gov/water then Quality Reports
- Scottsdale: scottsdaleaz.gov/water then Drinking Water
- Glendale: glendaleaz.com/water then Water Quality
- Tucson: tucsonaz.gov/water then Water Quality Reports
- EPA national lookup: epa.gov/ccr/ccr-information-consumers
Frequently Asked Questions
How often is the CCR updated?
Once per year, by July 1, covering the prior calendar year's data. Some utilities also publish quarterly water quality dashboards online for current monitoring data.
What if my CCR shows a violation?
The utility is required to notify customers directly (often a mailed notice) and explain the corrective action. Most violations in Arizona involve sampling protocol or paperwork rather than acute health risks, but always read the explanatory text carefully.
Does the CCR test water in my home?
No. CCRs report water quality at the treatment plant and distribution monitoring points, not at individual taps. For tap-level confirmation, schedule an in-home test or use a certified lab kit.
Are unregulated contaminants like PFAS listed?
Some Arizona utilities have started voluntarily reporting PFAS results ahead of the 2027-2029 EPA compliance deadline. Check the "additional monitoring" or "unregulated contaminants" section.
Confirm Your CCR Numbers at Your Tap
Aquafeel Solutions Arizona's free in-home test verifies hardness, TDS, chlorine, and pH at your faucet. We'll cross-reference your CCR and recommend treatment if needed.
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