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 5 Key Takeaways from the 2022 Water Quality Report
Delve into the 2022 Annual Water Quality Report and you’ll learn that Tucson Water continues to meet and exceed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s rigorous standards for safe drinking water. Here are five highlights from the 18-page report:
Find out about contaminants that may be in source water and how Tucson Water uses and monitors chlorine disinfectants to kill pathogens (Page 5). The utility’s Water Quality team monitors for approximately 90 regulated and 103 unregulated contaminants across five large categories of contaminants.
Read an update on Tucson Water’s progress eliminating per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) threats to our drinking water supply (Page 6). The utility has a proactive approach to tackling PFAS.
Geek out on metrics about customers, the water system, sample points, and voluntary versus required tests and samples (Page 8). Tucson Water voluntarily conducts 396% more tests than required and voluntarily takes 184% more samples than required.
Learn the progress on the utility’s “Get the Lead Out” (GTLO) program to identify, remove, and replace lead service lines in the utility’s distribution system (Page 10). In 2021, the Environmental Protection Agency revised the Lead and Copper Rule. Tucson Water is expanding its GTLO program to provide regulators with information to comply with the revised rule, plus create customer outreach tools.
Review the “Monitoring Table” that focuses on 21 contaminants and categories (Pages 12-14) specified by National Primary Drinking Water Standards for public water systems. In 2022, Tucson Water had no violations to health-based Maximum Contaminant Levels or missed monitoring. This table is the heart of the Annual Water Quality Report. Share it with others!
For more info or a print copy, contact CustomerSupportUnit@tucsonaz.gov or 520.791.2544.
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 Behind the Scenes
We answer the top questions from customers about their water. From “Why is my water milky/cloudy?” to “What causes changes to water pressure?”, you’ll find the answers here in this short video.
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Conservation Adds Up!
Our desert home has a rich history of conserving water – a strong ethic integrated into our way of life. Backed by a dedicated conservation fee, Tucson Water offers innovative conservation education and outreach programs, plus water-efficiency incentives, plumbing, and technology.
In 2022, daily residential water use per capita was 76 gallons. This was the lowest use per person in more than 20 years and one of the lowest usage rates per person in the Southwest. How did we achieve that? Tucson Water’s 2022 Annual Conservation Report offers answers.
This Report is a comprehensive look at the water-efficiency programs that help to drive our community’s success in saving water:
- Conserving 29.5 million gallons of water in 2022 -- 4.9 billion gallons of water to-date
- Educating more than 25,000 students, teachers, and adults via partner programs
- Launching an online platform to make it faster and more efficient to apply for rebates
- Expanding the free conservation kit program providing 16,199 devices to customers
- Developing new conservation policies for Mayor and Council review
- Updating rebates for high-efficiency toilets and clothes washers to maximize savings
- Installing 2,453 high-efficiency toilets and urinals
- Installing 353 rainwater harvesting and gray water systems
- Completing 762 free water-efficiency audits; to-date Zanjeros have conducted over 19,000 customer audits
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“Why is our water so hard?”
Fact: Hard water is safe to drink and is not a health risk!
Our groundwater is naturally hard because of local geology with its high dissolved mineral content of calcium and magnesium. Increasing hardness levels comes primarily from mixing this existing hard groundwater with hard Colorado River water from the Central Arizona Project (CAP). As the percentage of CAP water increases, our water hardness level will increase.
Fluctuating hard mineral levels can influence water taste, shorten appliance life, and clog pipes. Tips to manage hard water: tucsonaz.gov/water/hard-water
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Read and Comment
Draft of the One Water 2100 Master Plan
Go to TucsonOneWater.com to read and comment on draft one of the One Water 2100 Master Plan. This draft was shaped by listening to more than 2500 respondents from stakeholder workshops, one on one interviews, intercept surveys, comment cards, social media, and an online survey in English and Spanish. Provide your feedback on this draft through July 21, 2023. Comments will be incorporated into the next plan draft for the Mayor and Council. Engage to help create the One Water 2100 Master Plan, a new comprehensive long-range blueprint that values all our water resources, helping our community be resilient and sustainable for the next 80 years!
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City of Tucson
Environmental Services
Get Rid of Old Paint
We accept household paint (acrylic, enamel, oil, or latex), plus paint thinner, solvents, and varnish. Drop off cans to the City of Tucson's Household Hazardous Waste Program at the Los Reales Campus or at a monthly 2nd Saturday event around town. If paint is dried up, toss it in the trash.
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Pima County
Wastewater Reclamation
How to be Flood-Safe
Monsoon season is on the way. When it rains, flash floods may follow. Visit www.pima.gov/BeFloodSafe or call (520) 724-4600 to prepare for floods. Learn about flood safety, create an emergency plan, set up near-real-time flood alerts, and consider obtaining flood insurance for peace of mind.
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 Water Matters is a monthly newsletter brought to you by Tucson Water
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