CITY REPORT AZ HEALTH VIOLATIONS: 49

Phoenix, AZ: 49 Health-Based Violations Recorded for Mapped Water Systems - 74/100

78 ZIP codes · 9 water systems · Updated

ZipCheckup grade for Phoenix: B.

This ZIP has a few items worth a quick check.

Your top priority: match a filter's certification to the violations (49 health-based violations). NSF certified filters →

Tap water system records for Phoenix, AZ support a high grade on this site; review your own system's entries for specifics.

Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS

78
ZIP Codes
9
Water Systems
43
ZIPs Linked to Systems with Violations
B · 74
Avg Safety Score
Zone 2
County Radon Potential (Moderate)

Key Facts for Phoenix Residents

  • Your city's water systems recorded 166 violations since 2021.
  • Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0028 mg/L.

Water Quality in Phoenix

We track home safety signals for 78 ZIP codes in Phoenix, Arizona. EPA community-water data is directly mapped for 43 ZIP codes and 9 water systems.

43 of 43 directly mapped ZIP records with reported violation counts (100%) have recorded EPA violations - 166 total, including 49 health-based violations.

Average Home Safety Score: B (74/100)

Water sources: Groundwater, Surface water.

Top Contaminants

Contaminant Category Violations ZIPs Affected
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Technique 49 43
Revised Total Coliform Rule Microbiological 45 43
Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Technique 45 43
Total organic carbon Disinfection Byproducts 6 2
Lead and Copper Rule Revisions Treatment Technique 5 3

Lead Risk

  • Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0028 mg/L
  • 0 of 43 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
  • 53% of housing built before 1986 (when lead solder was banned)
  • 6% of housing built before 1950 (when lead pipes were standard)
  • Median year built: 1982
  • Most common estimated pipe material: Copper
  • Lead exposure risk score: 42/100
  • Estimated lead service line probability: 16%
  • 22 ZIP codes classified as high or very high lead risk

With 53% of homes built before the 1986 lead solder ban, Phoenix residents - especially those in older neighborhoods - should consider testing their tap water for lead. Homes built before 1950 are at the highest risk of having lead service lines.

Housing Age Distribution

577,213 total housing units across 78 ZIP codes:

Era Units Share
Pre-1940 11,264 2%
1940–1949 15,431 3%
1950–1959 59,555 10%
1960–1969 65,552 11%
1970–1979 112,558 20%
1980–1989 96,640 17%
1990–1999 81,418 14%
2000–2009 90,517 16%
2010–2019 41,152 7%
2020+ 3,126 1%

Flood Risk

FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for Phoenix:

  • 1,280 flood insurance claims on record
  • $10,165,105 sum of reported building, contents, and ICC payment components
  • 877 claims with payment data
  • 403 claims without reported payment fields
  • $11,591 average reported component sum among claims with payment data
  • Dominant rated-zone value in historical claims: X (other)
  • 20 of 43 ZIP codes with claim-zone records have an A/V-family dominant rated zone in those claims
  • Claim-zone values are historical insurance records, not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory

Radon Risk

78 of 78 ZIP records with known zones are in EPA Radon Zone 2.

The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.

Neighborhoods by Safety Score

Safest Areas

ZIP Code Safety Score Grade Violations
85003 74/100 B 3
85004 74/100 B 3
85006 74/100 B 3
85007 74/100 B 3
85008 74/100 B 3
85009 74/100 B 3
85012 74/100 B 3
85013 74/100 B 3
85014 74/100 B 3
85015 74/100 B 3

Areas Needing Attention

ZIP Code Safety Score Grade Violations
85043 66/100 C 12
85083 70/100 B 10
85086 71/100 B 10
85027 72/100 B 7
85050 73/100 B 8
85018 73/100 B 8
85085 74/100 B 3
85054 74/100 B 3
85053 74/100 B 3
85051 74/100 B 3

What Phoenix Residents Can Do

Test Your Water

  • Order a certified lab test - home test kits cost $20–50 and cover lead, bacteria, and common contaminants
  • Request your utility's CCR (Consumer Confidence Report) - your water provider must publish this annually
  • Check your ZIP code - each area in Phoenix has different water systems and risk levels

Filter Your Water

  • NSF-certified pitcher filter removes chlorine taste and some contaminants ($20–40)
  • NSF 53-certified filter for lead - recommended for homes built before 1986
  • Reverse osmosis system removes 95%+ of contaminants including lead, PFAS, and nitrates ($150–400)

Test for Radon

  • Phoenix is in a moderate-risk radon area
  • Short-term radon test kits cost $10–25
  • If levels exceed 4 pCi/L, EPA recommends professional mitigation

Stay Informed

All ZIP Codes in Phoenix

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the tap water safe to drink in Phoenix, AZ?

The Home Safety Score is not a drinking-water grade. Phoenix has an average score of 74/100 (grade B) across 42 ZIP codes with complete current-model evidence. Separately, there are 166 recorded EPA violations across 43 directly mapped ZIP records with reported counts, 49 of which are health-based. Check the specific ZIP and serving utility before drawing a water-safety conclusion.

Does Phoenix have lead in the water?

The average of the reported 90th-percentile lead results across the ZIP codes of Phoenix is 0.0028 mg/L, below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. 0 of 43 ZIP codes with known action-level status are served by a system whose 90th-percentile lead result exceeded the EPA action level. About 53% of housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was banned.

Is Phoenix at risk for flooding?

FEMA data shows 1,280 flood insurance claim records in Phoenix ZIP codes, with an average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum of $11,591 among 877 claims with payment data. 403 claims lack reported payment fields and are not counted as zero. Among 43 ZIP codes with historical claim-zone values, 20 have an A/V-family dominant rated zone in those claims. Claim records do not establish current property-level flood risk; check the FEMA map for a specific address.

Are there lead pipes in Phoenix homes?

53% of Phoenix housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was common in plumbing. 6% was built before 1950, when lead pipes were standard. The most common estimated pipe material is Copper. The estimated probability of lead service lines is 16%. We recommend testing your water if your home was built before 1986.

What contaminants have been found in Phoenix water?

The most common contaminants by violation count are E. coli, Consumer Confidence Report Rule, Fecal Coliform. Across 43 ZIP codes with directly mapped EPA water data, 43 have recorded EPA violations. Check your ZIP code report for the specific contaminants in your area.

Data Sources

Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.

Phoenix Infrastructure Age

1982
Median Build Year
Copper
Likely Pipe Material

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

1982
Median Year Built
N/A
Pre-1986 (lead solder era; lead paint banned 1978)
0%
Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)

Most homes in Phoenix were built after 1986; lead exposure at a tap still depends on its service line and plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.

Phoenix: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations

0.0028
mg/L average of reported water-system 90th-percentile lead results (the 0.015 action level applies to each system's result, not to this average)

Why children are most at risk: The CDC states that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.

Available area-level lead records for Phoenix do not determine the lead level at an individual tap. 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.

Phoenix: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context

1,280
Total FEMA Flood Claims
$11,591
Avg Reported Sum With Payment Data
47%
A/V Share of Claim-Record ZIPs

Historical NFIP data for Phoenix contains 1,280 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $11,591. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 47% 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.

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.

Deep Dive Reports

Detailed analysis for Phoenix, AZ

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Home Safety Score mean for Phoenix, AZ?
Phoenix has an average Home Safety Score of 74/100 (Grade B) under ZipCheckup model 4.0.0, an area-level model that draws on EPA water compliance records, PFAS screening, EPA radon zones, and annual EPA air quality data; see the methodology page for how inputs and coverage are handled. 166 violations appear in EPA records for water systems mapped to these ZIP codes. Check individual ZIP code reports for component details.
How many violations are on record for water systems serving Phoenix?
EPA records list 166 EPA violations, including 49 health-based violations for Phoenix water systems. These water-system violations are shown for 78 mapped ZIP codes.
Does Phoenix water have lead?
The average of the reported 90th-percentile lead results across the ZIP codes of Phoenix is 0.0028 mg/L. The EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L applies to each water system's own 90th percentile, not to this average. EPA's health goal for lead is zero. Lead levels can vary by home - testing is recommended especially in older properties.
How many water systems serve Phoenix?
Our records map 9 water systems to 78 ZIP codes in Phoenix. The related population figure in our data is approximately 1,454,993 people; it is not a count of people served citywide.
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How to cite this page

APA ZipCheckup. (2026). Phoenix, AZ: 49 Health-Based Violations Recorded for Mapped Water Systems - 74/100. https://zipcheckup.com/cities/az/phoenix/
BibTeX 
@misc{zipcheckup-cities-az-phoenix,
  author = {{ZipCheckup}},
  title  = {{Phoenix, AZ: 49 Health-Based Violations Recorded for Mapped Water Systems - 74/100}},
  year   = {2026},
  url    = {https://zipcheckup.com/cities/az/phoenix/}
}

Page version: October 2026.

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