Golden Valley, AZ: 15 Violations — 69/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Based on current EPA data, Golden Valley, AZ reflects fair but uneven tap water safety.
How Golden Valley Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Golden Valley Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 15 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0015 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 30% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 15.41 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Golden Valley
Water delivery in Golden Valley, AZ is handled by 3 utilities rather than a single system — drawn from 5 providers in federal records, each filing its own compliance reports and setting its own rates.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Golden Valley, Arizona (population ~12,075), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 59,016 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Golden Valley: C (69/100)
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
Golden Valley water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0015 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 6 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 6 | 1 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 6 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 4 | 1 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 86413 | C | 15 | 0 | Valley Pioneers Water Company Inc. |
All ZIP Codes in Golden Valley
- 86413 [C] — 15 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.
CDC Health Data for Golden Valley
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
Key Contaminants Detected in Golden Valley
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Golden Valley's Housing Stock?
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
The story of Golden Valley's housing stock is one of layered development — neighborhoods built in different decades, each carrying the plumbing standards of their era. The median build year of 1994 reflects that layered character. Before 1986, lead solder was standard in copper plumbing; before 1970, lead pipes were commonly used for service lines. A substantial portion of the pre-1986 homes visible in the distribution above still carry the plumbing materials of those earlier standards — creating a risk environment that the city-wide aggregate water data doesn't fully capture.
Most homes in Golden Valley 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.
Golden Valley: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Property value and cost data for Golden Valley produce a moderate remediation-share classification — a level where advance financial planning has real practical value and the commitment is realistic for most homeowners who approach it deliberately.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Golden Valley. The estimated $1,200–$3,300 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 48% below the Arizona average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Golden Valley
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.
Although citywide aggregate readings pass cleanly and just 30% of Golden Valley housing comes from the pre-rule era, the difference between what utilities sample and what arrives at one specific faucet remains a structural feature of how monitoring works. Households with kids in the home can find a certified lead-removal filter and a draw-test kit through retailer-verified channels. That step is independent of system-level data.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Golden Valley
The National Flood Insurance Program captures decades of claims at the local level, building a record of cumulative community flood exposure. For Golden Valley, that record documents 4 claims and 100% of ZIP codes inside FEMA-designated flood zones. What makes those numbers relevant to water quality is the set of mechanisms flooding activates: heavy precipitation that floods treatment intake zones can introduce contaminants upstream of normal filtration; well casings in low-lying areas can be infiltrated by floodwaters carrying bacteria, sediment, and chemical residue; and distribution system pressure changes during flooding can create backflow conditions. These effects become more probable as flood frequency and magnitude increase — and the NFIP record indicates both are meaningful factors locally.
Golden Valley has a moderate flood history with 4 FEMA claims averaging $22,173 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>$2,200</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 Golden Valley
- 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 Surface Water Treatment Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Golden Valley'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 Golden Valley, AZ