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Progress Report: Eliminating Lead Water Pipes in Tucson

For over 30 years, Tucson Water has removed and replaced lead service lines, which can be a major source of lead in drinking water. So far, we’ve replaced 866 lead lines and launched the Get the Lead Out program (2016), along with informational materials for customers. When the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) revised the Lead and Copper Rule in 2021, Tucson Water was ready to meet these stricter requirements.

Our main goal under the new rule is to create a complete list of all water service lines, including 250,000 connections for homes, schools, and businesses. This involves identifying what material a service line is made of on both sides of the meter—from the water meter to your home and from the water meter to the main water system.

Here’s what Tucson Water is doing to prepare our list for the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ):

Assembling a Project Team: We brought together experts in mapping, records, water quality, customer engagement, engineering, and more. We are also working with other City of Tucson departments to coordinate our efforts.

Reviewing Records: We are looking through public records, permits, and maintenance documents to build a profile for each service line. We’re using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to help organize information from utility work orders and other sources.

Conducting Field Tests: We are testing 1,200 locations to check the materials of service lines. These tests can include visual checks, scratch tests, and photos, all collected through a special app. If we need to learn more, we conduct deeper investigations.

Reaching Out to Schools: We’re identifying childcare centers and elementary schools to share information about lead and how to keep children safe.

Working with ADEQ: We’re in touch with ADEQ to update them on our progress and get approval on our service line inventory.

Funding: We’re using $6.95 million from the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona to help meet the new requirements and keep our water safe and secure now and for future generations.

Soon, Tucson Water will have an interactive online map that shows what materials are used in specific service lines, which will be searchable by address. We’ll also be reaching out to customers to help Tucson Water identify any unknown service line materials.

Click here to learn more about Tucson Water’s efforts to keep our community’s water lead-free, read FAQs about lead service lines, and for additional information and educational materials from the U.S. EPA and ADEQ.

Fall Plant it Wisely

Every drop counts and your planting choices have a big impact on how many drops you can save! The cooler autumn days provide a wonderful setting for gardening, and plants are more likely to thrive if planted once temperatures cool off. 

If you’re ready to put on those gardening gloves, here are some important things to consider.

• Plan ahead! Plants can provide many benefits, and planning to ensure their resilience in this arid region will also ensure those benefits are enjoyed for years to come. Learn more about the benefits of smart gardening in this Water Use It Wisely blog.
• A wise selection of plants is key to saving water. This new Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert provides a variety of plant options and includes information on sun, watering, size, form, growth rate, pollinator attraction, and many other important elements that one might consider when beautifying their yard. 
• Let’s not forget, water matters! Adjusting that irrigation schedule based on the seasonal watering guidelines as temperatures get cooler can save you water and money. 
• Find more information about planting wisely this fall season by visiting waterplantitwisely.com.   

How would proposed rate adjustments impact my bill?

If approved, all Tucson Water customers would pay a marginal increase to the Water Supply Fee in addition to a 5.5% rate increase among commercial and industrial customers.

Click here for more details.

City of Tucson
Environmental Services

2025 Holiday Schedule
is Out

'Tis the season for joy… and a few schedule changes! Our 2025 holiday lineup brings big news—trash and recycling service will only be delayed on THREE holidays next year. For all other holidays, we’ll be right on track.

Check the updated 2024 and 2025 schedules by clicking the link below.

Pima County
Wastewater Reclamation

Recycle Your Grease All Year Long

Can’t wait for our annual grease collection event? Don’t forget about our year-round collection site! Take your used fats, oils and grease to Agua Nueva Water Reclamation Facility, 2947 W. Calle Agua Nueva. Open for dropoff weekdays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Questions? Call 520-405-0438 or click the link below.

Water Matters is a monthly newsletter brought to you by Tucson Water