Is Bullhead City, AZ tap water safe?

Data: U.S. EPA · How we read the data · How we check it

Bullhead City Mohave Water System, the largest system here, had PFAS above the 2024 federal limits (PFOS) in EPA's 2023–2025 testing.

Is it an emergency? No: PFAS limits are about years of exposure, not a glass of water, and nothing in EPA's data calls for you to stop drinking the water today. If your utility issues a boil-water or do-not-drink notice, follow it.

13 public water systems serve parts of Bullhead City. The largest, Bullhead City Mohave Water System, serves 36,330 people, and 2 systems here had PFAS above a federal limit. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Bullhead City Mohave Water System

36,330 people · Groundwater · EPA ID AZ0408032

PFAS	Highest average	Limit	Status
PFOA One sample above limit	2.65 ppt	4 ppt	One sample above limit
PFOS Above limit	4.65 ppt	4 ppt	Above limit
PFHxS Detected, below limit	3.5 ppt	10 ppt	Detected, below limit
PFNA Not detected	–	10 ppt	Not detected
HFPO-DA (GenX) Not detected	–	10 ppt	Not detected

ppt = parts per trillion. "Highest average" is the highest average at any of the system's entry points, the way EPA compares results with the limits.

For context: the PFOS average is higher than at 88% of the Arizona systems EPA tested.

Lead: 0 ppb at the 90th percentile (Nov 2026, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 2

Full Bullhead City Mohave Water System results

Across Arizona, 21 of 159 water systems EPA tested had PFAS above a 2024 federal limit, and 10 systems were above the lead action level in results from the last five years. Arizona results.

Bullhead City homes and lead pipes

22%

of homes built before 1980 (Arizona 29%, US 50%)

built before 1950 (Arizona 3%)

30%

of households rent (Arizona 33%)

Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so homes from before then are the ones to check. Renting? Ask your landlord what the service line is made of, because it's their pipe to replace. How to check your own line.

Housing: Census American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates for Bullhead City city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Bullhead City

Bermuda Water Company Inc
25,000 people · Groundwater · Arizona · lists this city
Lithium above screening level
North Mohave Valley Water System
5,190 people · Groundwater · Arizona · lists this city
PFOS above limitAlso: Lead above action level · PFHxS detected · Lithium above screening level · 2 health-based violations since 2016
Desert Foothills Water System
3,091 people · Groundwater · Arizona · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sampleAlso: 1 health-based violation since 2016
Silverview RV Park Water System
800 people · Groundwater · Arizona · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sampleAlso: 3 health-based violations since 2016
Lake Mohave Highlands Water System
746 people · Groundwater · Arizona · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sampleAlso: 1 health-based violation since 2016
Katherine Heights Water System
415 people · Purchased groundwater · Arizona · lists this city
Coliform bacteria violation

6 more systems

Silver Creek RV Park Water System
280 people · Groundwater · Arizona · lists this city
Nitrate violations
Crossroads RV Park Water System
272 people · Groundwater · Arizona · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sampleAlso: 1 health-based violation since 2016
Camp Mohave Water System
224 people · Groundwater · Arizona · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sampleAlso: 1 health-based violation since 2016
River City RV Park Water System
183 people · Groundwater · Arizona · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sampleAlso: 1 health-based violation since 2016
Katherine Resorts Water Company
58 people · Groundwater · Arizona · lists this city
Lithium above screening levelAlso: 3 health-based violations since 2016
Hardyville on the River Water System
42 people · Groundwater · Arizona · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample

How nearby cities compare

City	Main water system	PFAS	Lead (90th pct.)
Kingman 31 mi Kingman Municipal Water	Kingman Municipal Water	None above limits	0 ppb
Lake Havasu City 45 mi City of Lake Havasu	City of Lake Havasu	None above limits	3.1 ppb
Prescott 125 mi City of Prescott	City of Prescott	Above limit	0 ppb
Prescott Valley 131 mi Town of Prescott Valley	Town of Prescott Valley	None above limits	0 ppb
Surprise 156 mi EPCOR – Agua Fria	EPCOR – Agua Fria	None above limits	0 ppb
Peoria 157 mi City of Peoria	City of Peoria	None above limits	0 ppb

Bullhead City ZIP codes (2)

86429
86442

Questions

Is Bullhead City tap water safe to drink?

Bullhead City Mohave Water System had 2 health-based violations since 2016, and EPA testing found PFAS above the 2024 federal limits, which it must meet by 2029. Utility data can't show lead from your own pipes: if your home was built before 1986, test your tap. Your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report is the official summary.

Who supplies water in Bullhead City, AZ?

13 public water systems serve parts of Bullhead City. The largest is Bullhead City Mohave Water System (36,330 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Bullhead City tap water have PFAS?

Yes. EPA's 2023–2025 testing found entry-point averages above the 2024 federal limits for PFOS at Bullhead City Mohave Water System. Systems have until 2029 to meet them.

Do Bullhead City homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 22% of Bullhead City homes as built before 1980 (Arizona: 29%). Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so older homes are more likely to have them. Bullhead City Mohave Water System's service line inventory says what your line is made of. The only way to know for your home is to check the line where it enters the house and test your tap.

Source: U.S. EPA drinking water records and PFAS testing (UCMR 5). How we read the data.