This list is a supplement to the Annual Water Quality report. It is meant to give an estimate of the types of compounds analyzed and the levels at which they are found. If you need specific information please feel free to contact the water quality laboratory at 480-350-8330 or view the annual water quality report. The numbers may vary throughout the year due to varying water sources however, the annual averages are relatively consistent from year to year. Unless otherwise stated, these numbers were taken from data gathered between Jan - Dec 2010.
Many of the following parameters are regulated by the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 and the 1986 Amendments. Analyses are preformed as required and the concentrations of the regulated parameters detected in Tempe water are LESS THAN the Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL's).
Inorganic Chemicals - metals, salts and minerals can be naturally occurring or result of urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining or farming runoff.
Metals Lead Regulated Inorganics Unregulated Inorganics Hardness
Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOC's)-These are carbon containing chemicals which readily travel from the water into the air. Most are industrial chemicals, solvents or petroleum by-products.
Synthetic Organic Chemicals (SOC's)-These are man-made carbon containing chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides and polychlorinated bi-phenyls (PCB's)
RadioChemicals- Naturally occurring or man-made, as a result of oil and gas production and mining activities, radioactive compounds.
Metals ~ Drinking Water Values
| Analyte |
MCL (mg/l) |
Average Value (mg/l) |
| Antimony |
0.006 |
<0.003 |
| Arsenic |
0.01 |
<0.0058 |
| Barium |
2 |
<0.11 |
| Beryllium |
0.004 |
<0.001 |
| Cadmium |
0.005 |
<0.002 |
| Chromium |
0.1 |
<0.012 |
| Mercury |
0.002 |
<0.0002 |
| Nickel |
0.1 |
<0.005 |
| Selenium |
0.05 |
<0.0015 |
| Thallium |
0.002 |
<0.001
|
| |
|
|
| |
Action Level * |
|
| Lead (2009) |
0.015 |
<0.0036 |
| Copper (2009) |
1.3 |
0.075 |
| |
|
|
| |
SMCL ** |
|
| Iron |
0.3 |
<0.05 |
| Manganese |
0.05 |
<0.001 |
| Silver |
0.1 |
<0.002 |
| Zinc |
5 |
<0.02 |
| |
|
|
* Action Level- if the value of either Lead or Copper values exceed the Action Level additional treatment techniques are required as per the "Lead and Copper Rule".
** SMCL- secondary maximum contaminant level, a number associated with the aesthetic quality of water. According to the EPA these numbers are guidelines not enforceable standards. There are no health problems associated with these compounds.
Regulated Inorganics ~ Drinking Water Values
| Analyte |
MCL (mg/l) |
Average Value (mg/l) |
| Asbestos (2011 data) |
7 MFL* |
<0.2 |
| Cyanide |
0.2 |
<0.01 |
| Fluoride |
4 |
0.24 |
| Nitrate |
10 |
<6.6 |
| Nitrite |
1 |
<0.15 |
| Nitrate/Nitrite |
10 |
<6.6 |
*million fibers/liter longer than 10um
Unregulated Inorganics of Interest ~ Drinking Water Values
| Analyte |
Range Detected |
Typical Values |
| Temperature (ºF)(2009 Jan-Nov) |
55 - 86 |
73 |
| Chlorine Residual |
0.03 - 1.9 |
0.63 |
| pH (pH Units) |
7.4 - 8.0 |
7.7 |
| Turbidity (NTU)* |
0.01 - 0.25 |
0.04 |
| Conductivity** |
592 - 1730 |
901 |
| Chloride |
100 - 330 |
144 |
| Alkalinity*** |
120 - 380 |
136 |
| Hardness^ |
150 - 400 mg/l |
168 mg/l |
| |
8.8 -23.4 grains/gallon |
9.8 grains/gallon |
| Calcium |
37 - 95 |
40.8 |
| Magnesium |
14 - 39 |
16.2 |
| Molybdenum (2002) |
ND |
<0.05 |
| Total Dissolved Solids |
330 -1000 |
474 |
| Sulfate |
41 - 130 |
55 |
| Sodium |
69 - 290 |
97 |
| Aluminum |
ND - 0.12 |
0.1 |
| Boron |
0.06 - 0.58 |
0.1 |
| Potassium |
4.8 - 8.9 |
5.2 |
| Silica |
9.2 - 32 |
10.1 |
| Bromide |
ND - 0.24 |
<0.05 |
| Cryptosporidium(2009) |
ND |
ND |
| Giardia Lamblia(2009) |
ND |
ND |
| Coliform^^ |
ND - 3.9% |
ND |
| TOC |
1.6 - 4.1 |
3.2 |
Results are expressed in mg/l except
*NTU= Nephelometric Turbidity Unit (measure of water clarity) maximum monthly average value
**MHOS/CM (micromhos per centimeter) units used to measure conductance
***Alkalinity and hardness are reported as mg/l calcium carbonate (CaCO3)
^ Customers are often interested in Hardness expressed in grains per gallon, for settings on dishwashers or water softeners. To calculate grains per gallon, divide the hardness value in mg/l by 17.1
^^ Coliform MCL, is defined as presence of coliform bacteria in 5% or more of monthly samples. Tempe is required to collect 120 samples/ month for coliform.
ND-not detected.
Regulated Volatile Organic Chemicals ~ Drinking Water Values
| Analyte |
MCL (mg/l) |
Average Value (mg/l) |
| 1,1-Dichloroethylene |
0.007 |
<0.0005 |
| 1,1,1-Trichloroethane |
0.2 |
<0.0005 |
| 1,1,2-Trichloroethane |
0.005 |
<0.0005 |
| 1,2-Dichloroethane |
0.005 |
<0.0005 |
| 1,2-Dichloropropane |
0.005 |
<0.0005 |
| Benzene |
0.005 |
<0.0005 |
| Carbon Tetrachloride |
0.005 |
<0.0005 |
| cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene |
0.07 |
<0.0005 |
| Ethylbenzene |
0.7 |
<0.0005 |
| (mono)chlorobenzene |
0.1 |
<0.0005 |
| o-Dichlorobenzene |
0.6 |
<0.0005 |
| para-Dichlorobenzene |
0.075 |
<0.0005 |
| Styrene |
0.1 |
<0.0005 |
| Tetrachloroethylene(PCE) |
0.005 |
<0.0005 |
| Toluene |
1 |
<0.0005 |
| trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene |
0.1 |
<0.0005 |
| Trichloroethylene(TCE) |
0.005 |
<0.0005 |
| Vinyl Chloride |
0.002 |
<0.0005 |
| Xylenes, total |
10 |
<0.001 |
| 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene |
0.07 |
<0.0005 |
| Dichloromethane |
0.005 |
<0.0005 |
| Trihalomethanes (TTHM's) |
0.08 |
<0.062 |
The VOC program consists of monitoring the distribution system and wells for approximately 40 other compounds which are currently unregulated. For these compounds the Minumum Reporting Levels (MRL's) are listed. The MRL is the lowest limit accurately detected by the instrument.
Unregulated Volatile Organic Chemicals ~ Drinking Water Values
| Analyte |
MRL (mg/l) |
Average Value (mg/L) |
| Dichlorodifluoromethane |
0.0005 |
<0.0005 |
| Chloromethane |
0.0005 |
<0.0005 |
| Bromomethane |
0.0005 |
<0.0005 |
| Chloroethane |
0.0005 |
<0.0005 |
| Trichlorofluoromethane |
0.0005 |
<0.0005 |
| 1,1-Dichloroethane |
0.0005 |
<0.0005 |
| Bromochloroethane |
0.0005 |
<0.0005 |
| 2,2-Dichloropropane |
0.0005 |
<0.0005 |
| 1,1-Dichloropropene |
0.0005 |
<0.0005 |
| Dibromomethane |
0.0005 |
<0.0005 |
| cis-1,3-Dichloropropene |
0.0005 |
<0.0005 |
| trans-1,3-Dichloropropene |
0.0005 |
<0.0005 |
| 1,3-Dichloropropane |
0.0005 |
<0.0005 |
| 1,2-Dibromomethane |
0.0005 |
<0.0005 |
| 1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane |
0.0005 |
<0.0005 |
| 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane |
0.0005 |
<0.0005 |
| 1,2,3-Trichloropropane |
0.0005 |
<0.0005 |
| Isopropylbenzene |
0.0005 |
<0.0005 |
| Bromobenzene |
0.0005 |
<0.0005 |
| n-Propylbenzene |
0.0005 |
<0.0005 |
| 2-Chlorotoluene |
0.0005 |
<0.0005 |
| 4-Chlorotoluene |
0.0005 |
<0.0005 |
| 1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene |
0.0005 |
<0.0005 |
| tert-Butylbenzene |
0.0005 |
<0.0005 |
| 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene |
0.0005 |
<0.0005 |
| sec-Butylbenzene |
0.0005 |
<0.0005 |
| p-Isoproplytoluene |
0.0005 |
<0.0005 |
| 1,3-Dichlorobenzene |
0.0005 |
<0.0005 |
| n-Butylbenzene |
0.0005 |
<0.0005 |
| 1,2,3-Trichlorobenzene |
0.0005 |
<0.0005 |
| Methyl tert-Butyl Ether (MTBE) |
0.0005 |
<0.0005 |
| Chloroform |
0.0005 |
0.0283 |
| Bromoform |
0.0005 |
0.0017 |
| Bromdichloromethane |
0.0005 |
0.0218 |
| Chlorodibrommethane |
0.0005 |
0.0118 |
Additional Unregulated VOC’s Monitored in 2003.
| Analyte |
MRL (mg/l) |
Average Value (mg/L) |
| 2-Butanone |
0.005 |
<0.005 |
| 4-Methyl-2-pentanone |
0.005 |
<0.005 |
| Di-isopropyl ether |
0.003 |
<0.003 |
| Hexachlorobutadiene |
0.0005 |
<0.0005 |
| Naphthalene |
0.0005 |
<0.0005 |
| tert-Amyl methyl ether |
0.003 |
<0.003 |
| tert-Butyl ethyl ether |
0.003 |
<0.003 |
| Trichlorotrifluoromethane |
0.0005 |
<0.0005 |
| 2, 2-Dichloropropane |
0.0005 |
<0.0005 |
Regulated Synthetic Organic Chemicals ~ Drinking Water Values
| Analyte |
MCL (mg/l) |
Typical Value (mg/l) |
| 2,4-D |
0.07 |
<0.004 |
| 2,4,5-TP (Silvex) |
0.05 |
<0.002 |
| Toxaphene |
0.003 |
<0.002 |
| Alachlor |
0.002 |
<0.002 |
| Atrazine |
0.003 |
<0.0008 |
| Carbofuran |
0.04 |
<0.001 |
| Pentachlorophenol |
0.001 |
<0.001 |
| Chlordane |
0.002 |
<0.001 |
| Dibromochloropropane(DBCP) |
0.0002 |
<0.00001 |
| Ethylene Dibromide(EDB) |
0.00005 |
<0.002 |
| Heptachlor |
0.0004 |
<0.00004 |
| Heptachlor Epoxide |
0.0002 |
<0.00002 |
| Lindane |
0.0002 |
<0.00002 |
| Benzo(a)Pyrene |
0.0002 |
<0.00002 |
| Dalapon |
0.2 |
<0.0012 |
| Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate |
0.006 |
<0.0006 |
| Di(2-ethylhexyl)adipate |
0.4 |
<0.0006 |
| Dinoseb |
0.007 |
<0.0002 |
| 2,3,7,8-TCDD (Dioxin) |
3x10-8 |
<5 x10-9 |
| Diquat |
0.02 |
<0.0004 |
| Endothall |
0.1 |
<0.005 |
| Endrin |
0.002 |
<0.00001 |
| Glyphosate |
0.7 |
<0.006 |
| Hexachlorobenzene |
0.001 |
<0.00005 |
| Hexachlorocyclopentadiene |
0.05 |
<0.00005 |
| Oxamyl |
0.2 |
<0.002 |
| Picloram |
0.5 |
<0.0001 |
| Simazine |
0.004 |
<0.00005 |
| Methoxychlor |
0.04 |
<0.00005 |
| PCB:Polychlorinated Biphenyls |
0.0005 |
<0.0001 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids |
0.06 |
<0.024 |
The SOC program consists of monitoring the distribution system and wells for approximately 30 other compounds which are currently unregulated. For these compounds the Minimum Reporting Levels (MRL's) are listed. The MRL is the lowest limit accurately detected by the instrument.
Unregulated SOC's ~ Drinking Water Values
| Analyte |
MRL (mg/l) |
Average Value (mg/l) |
| Aldicarb |
0.0005 |
<0.0005 |
| Aldicarb Sulfoxide |
0.0005 |
<0.0005 |
| Aldicarb Sulfone |
0.0008 |
<0.0007 |
| 3-Hydroxycarbofuran |
0.002 |
<0.002 |
| Aldrin |
0.00005 |
<0.00005 |
| Propachlor |
0.00005 |
<0.00005 |
| Butachlor |
0.00005 |
<0.00005 |
| Carbaryl |
0.002 |
<0.002 |
| Dicamba |
0.00008 |
0.00008 |
| Dieldrin |
0.0002 |
<0.0002 |
| Methomyl |
0.001 |
<0.001 |
| Metolachlor |
0.00005 |
<0.00005 |
| Metribuzin |
0.00005 |
<0.00005 |
| |
Trigger Value* |
|
| Arocholr 1016 |
0.00008 |
<0.00007 |
| Arocholr 1221 |
0.02 |
<0.0001 |
| Arocholr 1232 |
0.0005 |
<0.0001 |
| Arocholr 1242 |
0.0003 |
<0.0001 |
| Arocholr 1248 |
0.0001 |
<0.0001 |
| Arocholr 1254 |
0.0001 |
<0.0001 |
| Arocholr 1260 |
0.0002 |
<0.0001 |
*If any trigger value is exceeded, then further testing must be performed for Decachlorobiphenyl
Additional Unregulated SOC’s monitored in 2002.
| Analyte |
MRL (mg/l) |
Average Value (mg/l) |
| 2,4,5-T |
0.0002 |
<0.0002 |
| 2,4-DB |
0.002 |
<0.002 |
| 3,5-Dichlorobenzoic Acid |
0.0005 |
<0.0005 |
| 4-Nitrophenol |
0.001 |
<0.001 |
| Acenaphthylene |
0.0001 |
<0.0001 |
| Acifluorfen |
0.0002 |
<0.0002 |
| alpha-BHC |
0.00001 |
<0.00001 |
| Anthracene |
0.00002 |
<0.00002 |
| Baygon |
0.002 |
<0.002 |
| Bentazon |
0.0005 |
<0.0005 |
| Benz(a)anthracene |
0.00005 |
<0.00005 |
| Benzo(b)fluoranthene |
0.00002 |
<0.00002 |
| Benzo(g,h,i)perylene |
0.00005 |
<0.00005 |
| Benzo(k)fluoranthene |
0.00002 |
<0.00002 |
| beta-BHC |
0.00001 |
<0.00001 |
| Bromacil |
0.0002 |
<0.0002 |
| Butylbenzlyphthalate |
0.0005 |
<0.0005 |
| Caffene |
0.00005 |
<0.00005 |
| Chlorthanlonil |
0.00001 |
<0.00001 |
| Chrysene |
0.00002 |
<0.00002 |
| DCPA total |
0.0002 |
<0.0002 |
| delta-BHC |
0.00001 |
<0.00001 |
| Diazinon |
0.0001 |
<0.0001 |
| Dibenz(a,h)anthracene |
0.00005 |
<0.00005 |
| Dichloroprop |
0.0005 |
<0.0005 |
| Diethylphthalate |
0.0005 |
<0.0005 |
| Dimethoate |
0.01 |
<0.01 |
| Dimethylphthalate |
0.0005 |
<0.0005 |
| D-n-butylphthalate |
0.0005 |
<0.0005 |
| Endosulfan I |
0.00001 |
<0.00001 |
| Endosulfan II |
0.00001 |
<0.00001 |
| Endosulfan Sulfate |
0.00001 |
<0.00001 |
| Endrin Aldehyde |
0.00001 |
<0.00001 |
| Fluoranthene |
0.0001 |
<0.0001 |
| Fluorene |
0.00005 |
<0.00005 |
| Indeno(1,2,3,c,d)pyrene |
0.00005 |
<0.00005 |
| Isophorone |
0.0005 |
<0.0005 |
| Methiocarb |
0.002 |
<0.002 |
| Molinate |
0.0002 |
<0.0002 |
| p,p-DDD |
0.00001 |
<0.00001 |
| p,p-DDE |
0.00001 |
<0.00001 |
| p,p-DDT |
0.00001 |
<0.00001 |
| Paraquat |
0.002 |
<0.002 |
| Phenanthrene |
0.00002 |
<0.00002 |
| Prometryn |
0.0005 |
<0.0005 |
| Propachlor |
0.00005 |
<0.00005 |
| Pyrene |
0.00005 |
<0.00005 |
| Thiobencarb |
0.0002 |
<0.0002 |
| trans-Nonachlor |
0.00005 |
<0.00005 |
| Trifluralin |
0.0001 |
<0.0001 |
RadioChemicals ~ Drinking Water Values (2008 data)
| Analyte |
MCL (pCi/l) |
Typical Value (pCi/l) |
| Gross Alpha |
15 |
5.1 |
| Combined Radium-226, Radium-228 * |
5 |
0.5 |
| Radium 226 |
|
<0.5 |
| Radium 228 |
|
<0.5 |
| Gross Beta |
50** |
<4 mrem |
| Tritium |
20,000 |
<315 |
| Strontium 90 |
8 |
<0.6 |
| Radon |
|
346 |
| Uranium |
30ppb |
3.6 |
* Radium 226 and Radium 228 are not required to be analyzed separately when Gross Alpha is less than 5 pCi/l, it is assumed that their value is also less than 5 pCi/l.
** 50 pCi/l is the approximate equivalent to 4 millirem/year
Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR)
These compounds do not currently have Maximum Contaminant Levels the EPA is gathering data to help them establish regulatory limits. For these compounds the Minimum Reporting Levels (MRL) are listed. The MRL is the lowest limit accurately detected by the instrument.(2002 data)
| Analyte |
MRL (mg/l) |
Average Value is (mg/l) |
| Perchlorate |
0.004 |
<0.004 |
| 2,4-Dinitrotoluene |
0.002 |
<0.002 |
| 2,6-Dinitrotoluene |
0.002 |
<0.002 |
| Acetochlor |
0.002 |
<0.002 |
| 4,4'-DDE |
0.0008 |
<0.0008 |
| DCPA mono-acid degradate |
0.002 |
<0.001 |
| DCPA di-acid degradate |
0.001 |
<0.001 |
| EPTC |
0.001 |
<0.001 |
| Molinate |
0.0009 |
<0.0009 |
| Terbacil |
0.002 |
<0.002 |
| MTBE |
0.005 |
<0.005 |
| Nitrobenzene |
0.01 |
<0.010 |
Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR2)
These compounds do not currently have Maximum Contaminant Levels the EPA is gathering data to help them establish regulatory limits. For these compounds the Minimum Reporting Levels (MRL) are listed. The MRL is the lowest limit accurately detected by the instrument.(2008 data)
| Analyte |
MRL (mg/l) |
Average Value (mg/l) |
| acetochlor ESA |
1 |
< 1 |
| acetochlor OA |
2 |
< 2 |
| alachlor |
2 |
< 2 |
| alachlor ESA |
1 |
< 1 |
| alachlor OA |
2 |
< 2 |
| metolachlor |
1 |
< 1 |
| metolachlor ESA |
1 |
< 1 |
| metolachlor OA |
2 |
< 2 |
| N-nitroso-di-n-butylamine |
0.004 |
< 0.004 |
| N-nitroso-diethylamine |
0.005 |
< 0.005 |
| N-nitroso-dimethylamine |
0.002 |
< 0.002 |
| N-nitroso-di-n-propylamine |
0.007 |
< 0.007 |
| N-nitroso-methylethylamine |
0.003 |
< 0.003 |
| N-nitroso-pyrrolidine |
0.002 |
< 0.002 |
| 1,3-dinitrobenzene |
0.8 |
< 0.8 |
| 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexabromobiphenyl |
0.7 |
< 0.7 |
| 2,2',4,4',6-pentabromodiphenyl ether |
0.5 |
< 0.5 |
| 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexabromodiphenyl ether |
0.8 |
< 0.8 |
| 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether |
0.3 |
< 0.3 |
| 2,2',4,4',5-pentabromodiphenyl ether |
0.9 |
< 0.9 |
| dimethoate |
0.7 |
< 0.7 |
| hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine |
1 |
< 1 |
| terbufos sulfone |
0.4 |
< 0.4 |
| 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene |
0.8 |
< 0.8 |