Well Water in Cave Creek / Carefree, Arizona
Maricopa County · Population ~12,000 · Aquifer: Cave Creek/Carefree Basin-Fill Aquifer
Hardness: Hard
In the mid-1980s, the Arizona Department of Water Resources declared the Carefree/Cave Creek Aquifer a critical aquifer and stopped issuing groundwater-based Certificates of Assured Water Supply — effectively halting new development. Past over-pumping had dropped water levels 15 to 20 feet per year. The aquifer is slowly recovering since both towns shifted to CAP surface water, but private wells in the area still contend with arsenic and the legacy of decades of overdraft.
A Critically Depleted Aquifer
The Cave Creek/Carefree aquifer earned its "critical" designation because groundwater levels were dropping 15 to 20 feet per year from over-pumping. ADWR's response — stopping new groundwater-based development — was one of the strongest regulatory actions taken for any Arizona aquifer.
Since both communities shifted to Central Arizona Project (CAP) water from the Colorado River, municipal groundwater pumping has decreased significantly. The aquifer is starting to recover. But recovery is slow, and the legacy of decades of overdraft has affected water quality in remaining wells.
Cave Creek now sources its water entirely from the Colorado River via a 12-mile pipeline to its treatment plant. Carefree Water Company has increased CAP usage to nearly 60% of supply. But private well owners in the area are still drawing from the basin-fill aquifer.
Arsenic in Local Wells
Arsenic is the primary water quality concern for private wells in the Cave Creek/Carefree area:
- Carefree Water Company's Well #6 has arsenic concentrations too high for potable use without expensive treatment. The company routes this water to a golf course in exchange for lower-arsenic water from the golf club's wells.
- Cave Creek's Desert Hills wells are in decline and contain arsenic
- The alluvial basin-fill geology that underlies the area naturally mobilizes arsenic, particularly as water tables fluctuate
If you're on a private well in Cave Creek or Carefree, arsenic testing is essential. The same geology that affects the municipal wells affects yours.
Cave Creek Landfill Contamination
The closed Cave Creek Landfill in Maricopa County is a documented source of groundwater contamination. TCE (trichloroethylene) — an industrial solvent and known carcinogen — has been detected in groundwater near the site.
Maricopa County installed a soil vapor extraction system and a groundwater treatment system to address TCE contamination. ADEQ encourages private well owners in the vicinity to test their water.
If your well is within a few miles of the former landfill (near Cave Creek Road and Carefree Highway), test for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in addition to the standard panel.
Testing Recommendations
Cave Creek/Carefree well owners should test for:
- Arsenic — the primary concern given local geology and documented exceedances
- VOCs — if within a few miles of the Cave Creek Landfill
- Bacteria and nitrate — annual basics
- Hardness, TDS, pH, iron — baseline mineral panel
See our testing guide for certified labs and costs.
Every well is different. Two wells on the same street can produce completely different water. The data on this page reflects documented conditions in the Cave Creek / Carefree area, but the only way to know what's in your water is to test it.
Sources
- Carefree Water Company — FAQ and Water Supply Information
- Town of Cave Creek — Water Supply Overview
- ADWR — Cave Creek/Carefree Critical Aquifer Designation
- ADEQ — Cave Creek Landfill Solid Waste Site
- Maricopa County — Groundwater Treatment System at Cave Creek Landfill