Buckeye, AZ: 38 Violations — 64/100 (2026)
2 ZIP codes · 7 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Buckeye shows moderate tap water quality for AZ — some areas carry documented EPA violations while others meet standards without issues.
How Buckeye Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Buckeye Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 38 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0021 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 8% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,150 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.3.
Who Supplies Your Water in Buckeye
With 3 utilities splitting service in Buckeye, AZ, water accountability is distributed across 7 systems on the federal record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 2 ZIP codes in Buckeye, Arizona (population ~112,401), covering 7 community water systems serving approximately 251,323 people region-wide.
2 of 2 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Buckeye: C (64/100)
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
Buckeye water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0021 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)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 2 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
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 | 18 | 2 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 9 | 2 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 9 | 2 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 6 | 2 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 6 | 2 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 85326 | C | 19 | 0 | City of Buckeye - Valencia Town Division |
| 85396 | C | 19 | 0 | City of Buckeye Sonora - Sundance |
All ZIP Codes in Buckeye
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 Buckeye
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 Buckeye Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Buckeye
Housing age data helps assess potential lead pipe and infrastructure risks. Newer housing stock generally means lower plumbing-related contamination risk.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Congress banned lead solder in residential plumbing in 1986, drawing a clear line in housing risk by era. Buckeye's median build year of 2011 puts most of its residential stock on the newer side of that boundary — a profile that generally correlates with lower plumbing-sourced lead exposure across the city.
Most homes in Buckeye were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Buckeye Homeowners
Because property values in Buckeye comfortably exceed estimated remediation costs, the equity impact here is proportionally small.
Remediation costs in Buckeye are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,150–$3,350 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 48% above the Arizona average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Buckeye
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.
8% of housing in Buckeye predates the federal action against lead solder — a contained share — and aggregate readings stay beneath the regulatory benchmark. Lead therefore sits in a quiet position on the local water-quality picture, with single-home draws as the standard tool for confirming any one address.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Buckeye
104 FEMA flood insurance claims are on file for Buckeye, and 100% of local ZIP codes fall within federally designated flood zones — enough to put flood exposure on the planning radar, though short of the concentrated-risk threshold where treatment-system vulnerability becomes a primary consideration.
Buckeye has a moderate flood history with 104 FEMA claims averaging $8,606 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>$2,150</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.
What You Can Do in Buckeye
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Revised Total Coliform Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Buckeye's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Buckeye, AZ