Metals
Arsenic in U.S. tap water
169 public water systems across 32 U.S. states report Arsenic in their annual Consumer Confidence Report. 4 sit at or above the federal limit.
What it is
A naturally occurring element that also enters water from industry and agriculture.
Why it's regulated
A known human carcinogen; long-term exposure is linked to skin, bladder, and lung cancer.
At or above the federal limit (4)
| Water system | Measured | vs. limit |
|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM 2024 annual report | 2.5 | 2.5× the limit |
| Beaches Water, MD 2024 annual report | 10.9 ug/L | 1.1× the limit |
| Beaver Run Mhp, MD 2024 annual report | 0–10.6 ug/L | 1.1× the limit |
| Norman, OK 2024 annual report | 0–10 ug/L | 1.0× the limit |
Approaching the limit (7)
| Water system | Measured | vs. limit |
|---|---|---|
| Chandler, AZ 2024 annual report | 0–8.6 ug/L | 0.9× the limit |
| Scottsdale, AZ 2024 annual report | 8.4 ug/L | 0.8× the limit |
| Victorville, CA 2024 annual report | 8.4 ug/L | 0.8× the limit |
| Mesa, AZ 2024 annual report | 8.37 ug/L | 0.8× the limit |
| Avondale, AZ 2024 annual report | 0–8.3 ug/L | 0.8× the limit |
| Bend, OR 2025 annual report | 8 | 0.8× the limit |
| Goodyear, AZ 2024 annual report | 8 ug/L | 0.8× the limit |
Within the federal limit (115)
| Water system | Measured |
|---|---|
| Beach Harbor, MD 2024 annual report | 4.1–7.8 ug/L |
| Lincoln, NE 2025 annual report | 7.1–7.7 |
| Cedar Cove, MD 2024 annual report | 6.6–7.5 ug/L |
| Claiborne, MD 2024 annual report | 4.3–7 ug/L |
| Phoenix, AZ 2025 annual report | 7 ug/L |
| Tucson, AZ 2024 annual report | 0–6.64 ug/L |
| Banks O Dee, MD 2024 annual report | 6 ug/L |
| Gilbert, AZ 2024 annual report | 5.8 ug/L |
| Rialto, CA 2024 annual report | 5.53 ug/L |
| Bayview at Kent Narrows, MD 2024 annual report | 5.4–5.4 ug/L |
| Charlotte Hall, MD 2024 annual report | 5.3 ug/L |
| Chula Vista Otay, CA 2024 annual report | 0–5 ug/L |
| Tempe, AZ 2024 annual report | 0–5 ug/L |
| Vacaville, CA 2024 annual report | 4.8 ug/L |
| Stockton, CA 2024 annual report | 4 ug/L |
| Thousand Oaks, CA 2024 annual report | 2–4 ug/L |
| Ann Arbor, MI 2024 annual report | 3.9 ug/L |
| Cedar Mhp, MD 2024 annual report | 0.0036 ug/L |
| Los Angeles LADWP, CA 2023 annual report | 3.5 ug/L |
| Town of Accident, MD 2024 annual report | 3.5 ug/L |
| Brownsville, TX 2024 annual report | 3.4 ug/L |
| Chula Vista Sweetwater, CA 2024 annual report | 0–3.4 ug/L |
| Simi Valley, CA 2024 annual report | 3 ug/L |
| Riverside, CA 2024 annual report | 2.8 |
| Corpus Christi, TX 2024 annual report | 2.7 ug/L |
| Glendale, AZ 2024 annual report | 2.7 ug/L |
| City of Hemet, CA 2024 annual report | 2.5 ug/L |
| City of Menifee, CA 2024 annual report | 2.5 ug/L |
| City of Murrieta, CA 2024 annual report | 2.5 ug/L |
| City of Perris, CA 2024 annual report | 2.5 ug/L |
| City of San Jacinto, CA 2024 annual report | 2.5 ug/L |
| City of Temecula, CA 2024 annual report | 2.5 ug/L |
| East Valley Service Area, CA 2024 annual report | 2.5 ug/L |
| Mills Service Area, CA 2024 annual report | 2.5 ug/L |
| Moreno Valley, CA 2024 annual report | 2.5 ug/L |
| Skinner Service Area, CA 2024 annual report | 2.5 ug/L |
| Hesperia, CA 2024 annual report | 0–2.4 ug/L |
| El Cajon, CA 2024 annual report | 2.3 ug/L |
| College Station, TX 2024 annual report | 2.2–2.2 ug/L |
| Houston, TX 2023 annual report | 2.2 ug/L |
| Irvine, CA 2023 annual report | 2.16 ug/L |
| City of Hialeah, FL 2023 annual report | 2–2 ug/L |
| City of Homestead, FL 2023 annual report | 2–2 ug/L |
| City of North Miami Beach, FL 2023 annual report | 2–2 ug/L |
| Miami Dade, FL 2023 annual report | 2–2 ug/L |
| Henderson, NV 2024 annual report | 1.9 ug/L |
| Lafayette, LA 2024 annual report | 0–1.9 |
| Arlington, TX 2024 annual report | 1.8 ug/L |
| Kent, WA 2024 annual report | 0–0.0018 |
| Tacoma, WA 2024 annual report | 1.7 |
Showing 50 of 115. The full list is in the JSON API.
Frequently asked
+What is Arsenic?
A naturally occurring element that also enters water from industry and agriculture. A known human carcinogen; long-term exposure is linked to skin, bladder, and lung cancer.
+What is the federal limit for Arsenic in drinking water?
The federal MCL for Arsenic is 0.01 mg/L. The EPA enforces this against the regulated reporting statistic (typically a running annual average or 90th percentile), not a single-sample spike.
+How many U.S. water systems have Arsenic over the federal limit?
4 of the 169 public water systems on The Water Map report Arsenic at or above its federal limit, spanning 32 U.S. states. The full list is on this page.
+How can I check if Arsenic is in my city's tap water?
Search your city on The Water Map (https://www.thewatermap.com/) or browse the list on this page. Every U.S. public water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report that lists every contaminant it measured, including Arsenic.