Payson, AZ: PFAS Found in Water - Home Safety 50/100
2 ZIP codes · 3 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Payson: D.
Several federal signals point to home-safety risks in this ZIP.
Monitoring data across Payson reveals a persistent pattern of below-average compliance in AZ - multiple service areas carry documented health violations, and the data has shown little overall improvement over recent EPA reporting cycles.
How Payson Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
What You Should Know About Payson Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 65 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.013 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,300 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 15 - above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Payson
Water delivery in Payson, AZ is handled by 3 utilities rather than a single system - drawn from 3 providers in federal records, each filing its own compliance reports and setting its own rates.
- D
- D
- D
Overview
We track home safety data for 2 ZIP codes in Payson, Arizona, covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 23,323 people. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 2 ZIP codes.
1 of 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 2 health-based violations appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Payson: D (50/100)
Model 4.0.0 uses four measured components across three equally weighted domains. If a required domain is unavailable, no score is published:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| PFAS MCL Screen | UCMR 5 testing against the covered federal MCLs |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
| Annual AQI | EPA AirData county-year median with at least 90 observed days |
Water Sources
Payson water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0130 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 20 | 1 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 18 | 1 |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 10 | 1 |
| E. coli | Microbiological | 8 | 1 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 6 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 85541 | D | 65 | 2 | Payson Town of |
All ZIP Codes in Payson
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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
Health Outcomes in Payson
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 Payson Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Payson Homeowners
Equity impact data for Payson lands in the favorable tier - remediation claims a small slice of what properties here are worth.
Remediation costs in Payson are relatively low compared to home values. The $600–$2,100 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 4% above the Arizona average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Payson
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.
Lead risk in Payson appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical NFIP Claim Context in Payson
Historical NFIP data for Payson contains 46 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $18,313. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 100% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.
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. The <strong>$1,300</strong> remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.
Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.
What You Can Do in Payson
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages - your tap may differ. Lead testing is especially recommended given the area's lead levels.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Lead and Copper Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Payson's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
- 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 Payson, AZ