Bisbee, AZ: 2 Health Violations — 76/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 6 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Bisbee's tap water quality puts it in AZ's upper tier — health-based violations are rare and the compliance record is consistently above average.
How Bisbee Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Bisbee Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 10 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0014 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 87% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,500 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.63 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Bisbee
Bisbee, AZ is covered by 3 major water utilities out of 6 federally tracked systems, each managing its own pipes, treatment processes, and EPA filings. What a household gets from the tap depends on which provider's system serves that address.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Bisbee, Arizona (population ~6,798), covering 6 community water systems serving approximately 14,901 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 2 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Bisbee: B (76/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Bisbee water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0014 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 6 | 1 |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 4 | 1 |
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | 2 | 1 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 85603 | B | 10 | 2 | Arizona Water Company - Bisbee |
All ZIP Codes in Bisbee
- 85603 [B] — 10 violations ⚠
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
Health Outcomes in Bisbee
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Top Contaminants in Bisbee Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Bisbee
With 87% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Because the majority of Bisbee's housing predates 1986, when lead solder was banned from new plumbing, the median build year of 1946 reflects a city where lead-era plumbing materials are common rather than exceptional.
Over half of homes in Bisbee were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Bisbee Homeowners
Property equity in Bisbee sits at a moderate ratio to estimated remediation costs — a classification that reframes the household financial perspective from routine maintenance to deliberate budgeting, where most homeowners have a realistic path to addressing documented water and safety issues if they map the financial commitment against available resources before committing to scope.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Bisbee. The estimated $1,350–$4,000 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 33% below the Arizona average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Bisbee
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Routinely in Bisbee, where 87% of housing predates the solder ban and aggregate utility readings hover near the federal threshold, a faucet-level draw functions as a standard household step for families with small kids.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Bisbee
Over the multi-decade window covered by the National Flood Insurance Program, Bisbee has accumulated 22 claims — a total that suggests more than isolated flood exposure. With 100% of ZIP codes in designated flood zones, the water-quality implications of flooding move from hypothetical to periodically relevant: treatment intake can be compromised, wells can be infiltrated, and distribution backflow can occur.
Bisbee has a moderate flood history with 22 FEMA claims averaging $6,725 per payout. 100% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$2,500</strong> remediation cost per household.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Bisbee, AZ