Rio Rico, AZ: 11 Violations - Home Safety 63/100
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Rio Rico: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
Rio Rico's water quality grade in AZ reflects a middle-ground assessment - service areas range from fully compliant to violation-flagged in current EPA records.
How Rio Rico Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
What You Should Know About Rio Rico Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 11 violations in the past 5 years.
- Homes built before 1986: 19% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.85 - above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Rio Rico
Water supply in Rio Rico, AZ follows a divided structure: 3 utilities account for the largest share of residential service out of 3 total systems, each managing its own distribution network and EPA reporting. Because these systems operate independently, rate decisions and compliance outcomes are determined separately.
- C
- C
- C
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Rio Rico, Arizona, covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 21,844 people. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
1 of 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. The available record reports no health-based violations for this measured scope.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Rio Rico: C (63/100)
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
Rio Rico water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0000 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)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 6 | 1 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 4 | 1 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 4 | 1 |
| Barium | Inorganic | 2 | 1 |
| Contaminant 2105 | Other | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 85648 | C | 11 | 0 | Liberty Water Rio Rico |
All ZIP Codes in Rio Rico
- 85648 [C] - 11 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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
Health Outcomes in Rio Rico
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 Rio Rico Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Rio Rico
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
Since 1986, federal law has prohibited lead solder in new residential plumbing. With a median build year of 1992, much of Rio Rico's housing falls on the safer side of that line - though homes built before 1986 still warrant testing regardless of the city-wide profile.
Most homes in Rio Rico 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 Rio Rico Homeowners
Given current Rio Rico property values, the remediation share falls in the moderate tier - an indicator that the household financial perspective here calls for advance planning rather than dismissal, with most homeowners positioned to address documented issues through deliberate budgeting rather than needing to treat remediation as a significant equity event or financial emergency.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Rio Rico. The estimated $1,200–$3,400 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 30% below the Arizona average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Rio Rico
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.
Through the multi-year window of EPA Lead and Copper Rule monitoring, Rio Rico has stayed under the action mark. Paired with a 19% pre-rule housing share, the result places lead in a lower-priority spot on the local picture - without erasing the structural gap between citywide averages and what arrives at one specific tap.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical NFIP Claim Context in Rio Rico
Historical NFIP data for Rio Rico contains 7 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $1,182. 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>$2,200</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 Rio Rico
- 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 Consumer Confidence Report Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Rio Rico'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 Rio Rico, AZ