Typical Water Quality Values            Hardness

This list is meant to give an estimate of the types of things 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.  Previous data for comparison 2008, 2002, 2001, 1999, 1998.

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.

Trace Metals     Regulated Inorganics      Unregulated Inorganics     Hardness

Organic Chemicals

RadioChemicals-  Naturally occurring or man-made, as a result of oil and gas production and mining activities, radioactive compounds.

 

Trace 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 1

Lead (2009)

0.015

<0.0036

Copper (2009)

1.3

0.075

SMCL 2

Iron

0.3

<0.05

Manganese

0.05

<0.001

Silver

0.1

<0.002

Zinc

5

<0.02
Back to top

1 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".

2 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
Back to top

*million fibers/liter longer than 10um   

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

0-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
Back to top

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.

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

Back to top

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
Back to top

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 *changed MRL 2003

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 *changed MRL 2003

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.

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(ghi)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(ah)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(123cd)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
Back to top

 

 

RadioChemicals~ Drinking Water Values  (2008 data)

Analyte MCL (pCi/l) Typical Value (pCi/l)

Gross Alpha

15

5.1

Combined Radium-226, Radium-228 1

5

0.5

Radium 226

  

<0.5

Radium 228

  

<0.5

Gross Beta

50 2

<4 mrem
Tritium

20,000

<315
Strontium 90

8

<0.6
Radon

346
Uranium 30ppb 3.6
Back to top

1 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.
2 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

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
Back to top

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 Average Value is (mg/l)
acetochlor ESA
acetochlor OA
alachlor
alachlor ESA
alachlor OA
metolachlor
metolachlor ESA
metolachlor OA
N-nitroso-di-n-butylamine
N-nitroso-diethylamine
N-nitroso-dimethylamine
N-nitroso-di-n-propylamine
N-nitroso-methylethylamine
N-nitroso-pyrrolidine
1,3-dinitrobenzene
2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexabromobiphenyl
2,2',4,4',6-pentabromodiphenyl ether
2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexabromodiphenyl ether
2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether
2,2',4,4',5-pentabromodiphenyl ether
dimethoate
hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine
terbufos sulfone
2,4,6-trinitrotoluene
 1
 2
 2
 1
 2
 1
 1
 2
 0.004
 0.005
 0.002
 0.007
 0.003
 0.002
 0.8
 0.7
 0.5
 0.8
 0.3
 0.9
 0.7
 1
 0.4
 0.8
Back to top
< 1
< 2
< 2
< 1
< 2
< 1
< 1
< 2
< 0.004
< 0.005
< 0.002
< 0.007
< 0.003
< 0.002
< 0.8
< 0.7
< 0.5
< 0.8
< 0.3
< 0.9
< 0.7
< 1
< 0.4
< 0.8

Unregulated Inorganics of Interest ~ Drinking Water Values 

Parameter Analyzed Ranges 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)1

0.01 - 0.25

0.04

Conductivity2

592 - 1730

901

Chloride

100 - 330

144

Alkalinity3

120 - 380

136

Hardness4

150 - 400
8.8 -23.4 grains/gallon

168
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

Coliform5

ND - 3.9%

 ND

TOC

1.6 - 4.1

 3.2
Back to top

Results are expressed in mg/l except
1 NTU= Nephelometric Turbidity Unit (measure of water clarity) maximum monthly average value
2 UMHOS/CM (micromhos per centimeter) units used to measure conductance
3 Alkalinity and hardness are reported as mg/l calcium carbonate (CaCO3)
4 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
5 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. 

Back to top