Also detected, no federal limit: PFPeA, PFBS, PFHxA, PFBA, PFHpA.
Is there PFAS in City of Avondale water?
Yes. EPA's final UCMR 5 results show City of Avondale averaged 12.2 ppt of PFOA at its worst sampling point, 3.0 times the EPA limit of 4 ppt.
City of Avondale is a public water system drawing on surface water, based in Avondale, Arizona, serving about 96,130 people, including Avondale, Tolleson. Under EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule it was tested for 29 PFAS and lithium 14 times across 6 sampling points between Apr 2024 and Jan 2025.
Every PFAS detected
| PFAS | Detected | Highest | Worst point avg | EPA limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFPeA Perfluoropentanoic acid |
8 of 14 | 17.2 ppt | 15.8 ppt | none |
| PFBS Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid |
12 of 14 | 15.6 ppt | 14.7 ppt | none |
| PFOA Perfluorooctanoic acid |
8 of 14 | 13.5 ppt | 12.2 ppt | 4 ppt |
| PFHxA Perfluorohexanoic acid |
8 of 14 | 12.9 ppt | 12.1 ppt | none |
| PFOS Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid |
7 of 14 | 11.7 ppt | 10.2 ppt | 4 ppt |
| PFHxS Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid |
4 of 14 | 9.4 ppt | 8.9 ppt | 10 ppt |
| PFBA Perfluorobutanoic acid |
3 of 14 | 6.5 ppt | 6.0 ppt | none |
| PFHpA Perfluoroheptanoic acid |
2 of 14 | 3.7 ppt | 3.5 ppt | none |
Not detected: PFNA, PFDoA, PFDA, PFUnA, ADONA, PFHpS, PFPeS, 11Cl-PF3OUdS, HFPO-DA, 6:2 FTS, 4:2 FTS, 8:2 FTS, PFMPA, PFMBA, NFDHA, PFTA, PFTrDA, NEtFOSAA, NMeFOSAA, 9Cl-PF3ONS, PFEESA.
Lithium, tested in the same program: highest 114 ppb, detected in 14 of 14 samples. EPA's health-based screening level is 10 ppb.
What the EPA limits mean here
In April 2024 EPA set enforceable limits of 4 ppt for PFOA and PFOS, 10 ppt each for PFHxS, PFNA and GenX, and a hazard index of 1 for mixtures. Utilities were given until 2029 to comply. In May 2026 EPA proposed keeping only the PFOA and PFOS limits and moving that deadline to 2031. Until that proposal is final, the 2024 limits stand.
Compliance is judged on a running annual average at each entry point, so we show the average at this system's worst sampling point next to its single highest result. UCMR 5 results do not by themselves put a utility in or out of compliance.
What you can do at home
Two routes work for PFAS. For drinking and cooking water only, a reverse osmosis system certified to NSF/ANSI 58 with a PFOA/PFOS reduction claim is the cheapest proven option. To treat every tap and shower, a whole-house carbon system with enough contact time works, but check that the maker has PFAS test data, not just a marketing claim. See the best filters for PFAS and how PFAS removal works.
Other systems in Arizona
- Town of Queen Creek none detected
- City of Yuma none detected
- Epcor - San Tan none detected
- Gwr - Santa Cruz Water CO. INC. none detected
- City of Flagstaff 1 PFAS detected
- Epcor Water - Agua Fria none detected
All 152 tested systems in Arizona
ZIP codes served
85323 85353 85392
As reported by the utility to EPA. Neighbouring ZIPs are often split between systems; your water bill names yours.
Cite this page
Well & Tap. "PFAS in City of Avondale water: EPA UCMR 5 results." Data: U.S. EPA Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, final release August 2026, PWSID AZ0407088. https://wellandtap.com/pfas/arizona/city-of-avondale/
About this data
Source: U.S. EPA, UCMR 5 occurrence data, final release August 2026 (PWSID AZ0407088). Population: EPA SDWIS. Averages count results below the reporting level as zero, the same convention EPA uses for running annual averages. Full method.