Well Water Resources for Arizona
Testing labs, treatment companies, costs, well permits, and government resources for private well owners.
Water Testing
For detailed testing information — labs, costs, and what to test for — see our complete testing guide.
Treatment Options
Arizona's primary contaminants require specific treatment approaches. Here's what works:
Arsenic Removal
| System | Typical Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Point-of-use RO (kitchen sink) | $300-$600 + installation | Most cost-effective first step. Treats one tap. 90-95% arsenic removal. Recommended as minimum for any well exceeding 10 ppb. |
| Adsorptive media (iron-based) | $800-$3,000 | Arsenic-specific media. Can be point-of-use or whole-house. Higher upfront but lower maintenance than RO. |
| Whole-house RO | $4,500-$20,000+ | For high arsenic levels. Treats all water. High maintenance and water waste. |
General Treatment
| System | Typical Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Water softener | $1,000-$2,500 | Ion exchange for hardness. Essential in many AZ areas. Does NOT remove arsenic, fluoride, or nitrates. |
| UV disinfection | $350-$1,500 + install | Whole-house bacteria treatment. Annual bulb replacement ~$50-$100. |
| Fluoride removal (activated alumina or bone char) | $200-$800 | Point-of-use filters for fluoride reduction. RO also removes fluoride. |
| Sediment filtration | $50-$300 | Pre-filter for sand, silt, and debris. Common in desert wells. |
Always test before you buy. Know what's in your water, at what concentrations, and match treatment to the problem. A water softener won't help with arsenic. A carbon filter won't remove fluoride. Test first, then treat.
Treatment Companies
These companies serve Arizona well owners. We are not affiliated with any of them.
- Complete Water Systems LLC (A2Z Water) Phoenix metro, Cave Creek, Queen Creek, Prescott, Sedona. Well water treatment specialists. Free in-office testing. RO, softeners, and whole-house systems.
- Culligan of Northern Arizona Flagstaff, Sedona, Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley. Free water testing, RO systems, softeners, and filtration.
- Clearwater Arizona Serving Arizona communities. Well water treatment consulting, arsenic removal, and filtration systems.
Well Permits and Drilling
- ADWR — Well Drilling in Arizona All wells in Arizona require authority to drill from ADWR. File a Notice of Intent to Drill (Form DWR 55-40) before installing, modifying, deepening, or replacing a well. The eNOI online filing system is available at azwater.gov.
- ADWR — Exempt Wells Information on exempt well regulations — 35 GPM or less, domestic use, metering/reporting exemptions. Rules differ inside and outside AMAs.
- ADWR — Well Terminology Definitions of exempt wells, non-exempt wells, AMAs, INAs, and other regulatory terms.
Government Resources
- AZDHS — Test Your Well, Protect Your Family's Health State guidance for private well owners. Testing schedules, certified lab finder, and well protection tips.
- ADEQ — Groundwater Quality Monitoring Program Monitors groundwater quality across Arizona's 51 basins. Well owners can participate and receive free results through an access agreement.
- ADEQ — Groundwater Protection Arizona's Aquifer Water Quality Standards, updated August 2025. Legal limits for pollutants in groundwater.
- ADEQ — PFAS Resources for Private Well Owners Interactive PFAS map showing sampling results near your well. Information on PFAS testing and treatment.
- ADWR — Water Quality Information Links to AZDHS testing resources and ADWR water quality data.
- University of Arizona Cooperative Extension — Arizona Drinking Water Well Contaminants (AZ1503) Comprehensive guide to contaminants found in Arizona drinking water wells, including arsenic, fluoride, nitrate, and radioactive elements.
- University of Arizona Cooperative Extension — Well Owner's Guide (AZ1502) Guide to ground water resources for Arizona well owners. Well types, water rights, testing, and maintenance.
- EPA — Private Well Resources Federal guidance for private well owners. Testing recommendations and contaminant fact sheets.
AMA-Specific Resources
- ADWR — Active Management Areas Information for all seven AMAs: Phoenix, Tucson, Prescott, Pinal, Santa Cruz, Douglas, and Willcox. Conservation requirements, water budgets, and management plans.
- ADWR — Willcox AMA Arizona's newest AMA, designated December 2024. Information on the designation process, new regulations, and what it means for existing water users.
Further Reading
- University of Arizona WRRC — Arsenic in Groundwater Water Resources Research Center overview of Arizona's arsenic challenge.
- ADEQ — Groundwater Quality in Arizona: A 15-Year Overview Comprehensive statewide assessment of groundwater quality across all 51 basins.
- USGS — Predicted Nitrate and Arsenic in Basin-Fill Aquifers of the Southwestern United States USGS modeling of arsenic and nitrate concentrations across the Southwest, including Arizona.
- Arizona Geological Survey — Earth Fissure Maps Maps of known earth fissures from land subsidence across Arizona. Essential for property due diligence in affected areas.