Fort Apache, AZ Water Safety: 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Fort Apache ranks below average for tap water safety in AZ — health-based violations are documented across multiple service areas in recent EPA monitoring data.
How Fort Apache Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Fort Apache Water
- Homes built before 1986: 46% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 15.75 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Fort Apache
In Fort Apache, AZ, the drinking water supply is organized under a single dominant utility — a consolidated structure that shapes how infrastructure investment, regulatory compliance, and rate decisions flow to households. When one provider handles the overwhelming share of residential connections out of 1 tracked system, accountability is clear: service upgrades, EPA violation responses, and tariff changes all funnel through that single organizational structure.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Fort Apache, Arizona (population ~824), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 5,375 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Fort Apache — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Fort Apache: D (53/100)
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
Fort Apache water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Fort Apache
- 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.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 85926 | D | PONDEROSA DWID | 5,375 |
All ZIP Codes in Fort Apache
- 85926 [D]
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 Fort Apache
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
Housing & Infrastructure in Fort Apache
With 46% 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
Over the decades, Fort Apache accumulated housing from multiple construction periods. The median build year of 1980 places the midpoint of that stock near the 1986 threshold when lead solder in plumbing became federally prohibited — leaving a sizable share of homes on each side of that safety line.
Most homes in Fort Apache 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 Fort Apache Homeowners
Remediation costs in Fort Apache are small relative to typical property values — the cost-to-value ratio here is favorable.
Remediation costs in Fort Apache are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 80% below the Arizona average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Fort Apache
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.
46% of Fort Apache housing dates to the pre-rule era, alongside aggregate readings hovering at the federal action mark — household-level confirmation through a draw-test kit fits the local picture.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Fort Apache
- 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. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 46% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Fort Apache, AZ