Oak Creek Water District
What EPA’s and CDC’s records show in this utility’s water: nitrate, arsenic and other regulated chemicals; lead and copper; and violations since 2016, with the certification that handles each result.
- Serves
- 1,507 people
- Connections
- 755
- Water source
- Groundwater
- Based in
- Sedona, AZ
- County
- Yavapai
- Owner
- Private
The ZIP code it serves
The short answer
1 result is above EPA’s legal limit. The worst: Arsenic, above the legal limit. 31 health-based violations since 2016.
What handles itWhat was found
Arsenic and nitrate: Arizona’s yearly averages per water system, as CDC’s Environmental Public Health Tracking Network publishes them, 2020 to 2023, with EPA’s 2012 to 2019 file for earlier years.
Chromium (total) and fluoride: EPA’s compliance monitoring file, samples taken from Dec. 5, 2013 to Nov. 25, 2019. Newer results are in the utility’s annual water quality report.
Above the legal limit1
Arsenic
Comes from the source
10.7ppb
Highest yearly average, 2020 to 2023
2023 average: 8.5 ppb
Averaged by year, the highest was 10.7 ppb, in 2020, above EPA’s legal limit of 10 ppb. In 2023, the latest year on file, it averaged 8.5 ppb. EPA recorded violations for arsenic at this utility in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. Earlier, from 2012 to 2019, EPA’s file shows a highest yearly average of 11.4 ppb, in 2018, and EPA recorded violations in 2018 and 2019.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 58 look for “Arsenic (Pentavalent)<=50 ppb Reduction”
- NSF/ANSI 53 look for “Arsenic (Pentavalent)<=50 ppb Reduction”
Below EPA’s limits3
Nitrate
Comes from the source
0.66ppm
Highest yearly average, 2020 to 2023
2023 average: 0.23 ppm
Averaged by year, the highest was 0.66 ppm, in 2020, below EPA’s legal limit of 10 ppm. In 2023, the latest year on file, it averaged 0.23 ppm. Earlier, from 2012 to 2019, EPA’s file shows a highest sample of 0.75 ppm, in 2017.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 58 look for “Nitrate/Nitrite Reduction”
- NSF/ANSI 53 look for “Nitrate/Nitrite (30 ppm challenge)”
Chromium (total)
Comes from the source
3.5ppb
Highest yearly average, 2013 to 2019
2019, one sample: 1.4 ppb
Averaged by year, the highest was 3.5 ppb, in 2013, below EPA’s legal limit of 100 ppb. Its highest single sample was 6.3 ppb. In 2019, the latest year on file, its one sample was 1.4 ppb.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 58 look for “Chromium (Hexavalent) Reduction”
- NSF/ANSI 53 look for “Chromium Reduction”
Fluoride
Forms or is added in treatment
0.087ppm
Highest yearly average, 2013 to 2019
2019, one sample: 0.069 ppm
Averaged by year, the highest was 0.087 ppm, in 2018, below EPA’s legal limit of 4.0 ppm. In 2019, the latest year on file, its one sample was 0.069 ppm.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 58 look for “Fluoride Reduction”
- NSF/ANSI 53 look for “Fluoride”
One compound tested and not foundBelow the reporting level in every sample. Not found is not the same as zero.
- Lead
What handles it
A certification covers specific claims, not a whole standard. Look for these claims on the certifier’s listing, not the box. Wording varies a little: NSF writes “Lead Reduction,” WQA just “Lead.”
- NSF/ANSI 53
Claim: Arsenic (Pentavalent)<=50 ppb Reduction
For: Arsenic
Other certifiers’ wording: Arsenic (III) (50 ppb influent level)
- NSF/ANSI 58
Claim: Arsenic (Pentavalent)<=50 ppb Reduction
For: Arsenic
Other certifiers’ wording: Arsenic (Pentavalent)<=300 ppb Reduction; Arsenic (V) (300 ppb influent level)
At the tap, or for the whole house?
These come with the water itself, so a whole-house system certified for the same claims treats every tap and shower. A filter at the tap treats drinking water for much less. How whole-house systems compare.
Filters with those claims on a certifier’s listing
Disclosure: TapBuff earns a commission if you buy through some links on this page. It does not change which standard or filter we name. As an Amazon Associate, TapBuff earns from qualifying purchases. How TapBuff makes money
Countertop reverse osmosis
- IAPMO listing:NSF/ANSI 42NSF/ANSI 53NSF/ANSI 58NSF/ANSI 401checked Oct. 4, 2026
Certified for: Arsenic
Aquasana SmartFlow Reverse Osmosis (AQ-SFRO2)
Under-sink reverse osmosis
- WQA listing:NSF/ANSI 42NSF/ANSI 53NSF/ANSI 58NSF/ANSI 401checked Oct. 9, 2026
Certified for: Arsenic
Brondell Capella RC250 Reverse Osmosis System
Under-sink reverse osmosis
- WQA listing:NSF/ANSI 42NSF/ANSI 53NSF/ANSI 58NSF/ANSI 401checked Oct. 9, 2026
Certified for: Arsenic
Violations since 2016
| Contaminant or rule | Type | Period | Measured | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Coliform or E. coli results required a detailed review of the system, and it or its fixes were not done on time.EPA: Treatment Technique, Level 2 Assessment (RTCR) | March 6, 2024 | — | Resolved |
| Arsenic | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | April 1, 2023 to June 30, 2023 | 0.011 MG/L | Resolved |
| Arsenic | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | Jan. 1, 2023 to March 31, 2023 | 0.011 MG/L | Resolved |
| Arsenic | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | Oct. 1, 2022 to Dec. 31, 2022 | 0.011 MG/L | Resolved |
| Arsenic | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | July 1, 2022 to Sept. 30, 2022 | 0.011 MG/L | Resolved |
| Arsenic | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | April 1, 2022 to June 30, 2022 | 0.011 MG/L | Resolved |
| Arsenic | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | Oct. 1, 2021 to Dec. 31, 2021 | 0.011 MG/L | Resolved |
| Arsenic | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | Oct. 1, 2021 to Dec. 31, 2021 | 0.011 MG/L | Resolved |
| Arsenic | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | July 1, 2021 to Sept. 30, 2021 | 0.011 MG/L | Resolved |
| Arsenic | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | July 1, 2021 to Sept. 30, 2021 | 0.011 MG/L | Resolved |
| Arsenic | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | April 1, 2021 to June 30, 2021 | 0.011 MG/L | Resolved |
| Arsenic | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | April 1, 2021 to June 30, 2021 | 0.011 MG/L | Resolved |
| Arsenic | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | Jan. 1, 2021 to March 31, 2021 | 0.011 MG/L | Resolved |
| Arsenic | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | Jan. 1, 2021 to March 31, 2021 | 0.011 MG/L | Resolved |
| Arsenic | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | Jan. 1, 2021 to March 31, 2021 | 0.011 MG/L | Resolved |
| Arsenic | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | Oct. 1, 2020 to Dec. 31, 2020 | 0.011 MG/L | Resolved |
| Arsenic | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | Oct. 1, 2020 to Dec. 31, 2020 | 0.011 MG/L | Resolved |
| Arsenic | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | July 1, 2020 to Sept. 30, 2020 | 0.011 MG/L | Resolved |
| Arsenic | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | July 1, 2020 to Sept. 30, 2020 | 0.011 MG/L | Resolved |
| Arsenic | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | July 1, 2020 to Sept. 30, 2020 | 0.011 MG/L | Resolved |
| Arsenic | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | April 1, 2020 to June 30, 2020 | 0.011 MG/L | Resolved |
| Arsenic | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | April 1, 2020 to June 30, 2020 | 0.011 MG/L | Resolved |
| Arsenic | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | April 1, 2020 to June 30, 2020 | 0.011 MG/L | Resolved |
| Arsenic | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | Jan. 1, 2020 to March 31, 2020 | 0.011 MG/L | Resolved |
| Arsenic | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | Oct. 1, 2019 to Dec. 31, 2019 | 0.011 MG/L | Resolved |
| Arsenic | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | July 1, 2019 to Sept. 30, 2019 | 0.011 MG/L | Resolved |
| Arsenic | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | April 1, 2019 to June 30, 2019 | 0.012 MG/L | Resolved |
| Arsenic | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | Jan. 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019 | 0.011 MG/L | Resolved |
| Arsenic | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | Oct. 1, 2018 to Dec. 31, 2018 | 0.012 MG/L | Resolved |
| Arsenic | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | July 1, 2018 to Sept. 30, 2018 | 0.012 MG/L | Resolved |
| Arsenic | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | April 1, 2018 to June 30, 2018 | 0.012 MG/L | Resolved |
| Health-based violations only. Resolved and archived mean the utility returned to compliance or the state closed the record. 27 monitoring or reporting violations not shown. | ||||
What this report can’t tell you
Everything else. Arsenic and nitrate results here are Arizona’s yearly averages as CDC publishes them, from 2020 on, with EPA’s national file for 2012 to 2019. Chromium (total) and fluoride come from EPA’s file alone, which ends in 2019. Oak Creek Water District’s own annual report, which it must send you every year, has newer results for those and the contaminants this page does not show.
Your own plumbing. Lead results are the 90th percentile across homes the utility samples. Your home’s service line, solder and fixtures decide yours. A certified lab test is the only way to know.
What it means for your health. This page reports what the records show and EPA’s limits and goals; it is not medical advice. If you are worried about a health effect, talk to a doctor or your local health department.
Anything after the latest data. SDWIS data is from 2026 Q3; UCMR 5 didn’t sample this utility; CDC’s yearly averages for Arizona cover 2020 to 2023; EPA’s compliance samples are from Dec. 5, 2013 to Nov. 25, 2019.
Testing your own tap
The 3 labs Arizona certifies closest to the area Oak Creek Water District serves, in a straight line. Call first: certification is test by test, and not every lab takes samples from homeowners.
Bradshaw Mountain Environmental Inc.
Prescott Valley, AZ · about 28 miles
Inner Basin Environmental, LLC
Flagstaff, AZ · about 31 miles
Nortest Analytical
Flagstaff, AZ · about 31 miles
Sources
- EPA UCMR 5 occurrence data, file of Oct. 15, 2026
- EPA SDWA bulk download (SDWIS federal data), 2026 Q3
- CDC Environmental Public Health Tracking Network, yearly averages Arizona supplied to CDC, 2020 to 2023, read Oct. 8, 2026. TapBuff’s comparisons with EPA’s limits are its own, not CDC’s or Arizona’s.
- EPA Six-Year Review 4 compliance monitoring data, 2012 to 2019, file of Feb. 5, 2024
- Certified labs: Arizona Department of Health Services, Arizona certified commercial drinking water laboratories, read Oct. 17, 2026; distances from the Census 2020 ZIP code tabulation area gazetteer
- Limits and goals: each contaminant’s page, with its EPA source.
- How this page is built: methodology.
PWSID AZ0413041. Rebuilt from EPA data on Oct. 18, 2026.
What to do next
- Read up on ArsenicWhat each one does to health, where it comes from, and the certification claim that addresses it.About Arsenic
- Get the utility’s own reportOak Creek Water District must send you a water quality report every year. It covers contaminants this page does not show, and has newer results than EPA’s national file for the ones here that come from it.How to read it
- Test your own tap for leadYour service line, solder and fixtures decide the lead at your faucet, not the utility’s average.Lead in your water: what to do
- Compare certified filtersWhat the filters certified for these results cost over five years, cartridges included.Compare five-year costs