Scottsdale, AZ: 15 Health Violations — 79/100 (2026)
15 ZIP codes · 11 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
The water systems supplying Scottsdale show a track record of above-average compliance with federal standards — consistently among the better performers in AZ.
How Scottsdale Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Scottsdale, AZ
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Safety grade breakdown for Scottsdale's 15 ZIP codes.
Key Facts for Scottsdale Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 315 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0023 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 41% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,113 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.3.
Scottsdale's Water Providers
Scottsdale, AZ is covered by 3 major water utilities out of 11 federally tracked systems, each managing its own pipes, treatment processes, and EPA filings. What a household gets from the tap depends on which provider's system serves that address.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 15 ZIP codes in Scottsdale, Arizona (population ~293,445), covering 11 community water systems serving approximately 1,992,942 people region-wide.
15 of 15 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 15 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Scottsdale: B (79/100)
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
Scottsdale water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0023 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)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 15 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 128 | 15 |
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 80 | 15 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 48 | 15 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 32 | 15 |
| Barium | Inorganic | 16 | 15 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 85250 | B | 21 | 1 | City of Scottsdale |
| 85251 | B | 21 | 1 | City of Scottsdale |
| 85252 | B | 21 | 1 | City of Scottsdale |
| 85254 | B | 21 | 1 | City of Scottsdale |
| 85255 | B | 21 | 1 | City of Scottsdale |
| 85256 | B | 21 | 1 | City of Scottsdale |
| 85257 | B | 21 | 1 | City of Scottsdale |
| 85258 | B | 21 | 1 | City of Scottsdale |
| 85259 | B | 21 | 1 | City of Scottsdale |
| 85260 | B | 21 | 1 | City of Scottsdale |
All ZIP Codes in Scottsdale
- 85250 [B] — 21 violations ⚠
- 85251 [B] — 21 violations ⚠
- 85252 [B] — 21 violations ⚠
- 85254 [B] — 21 violations ⚠
- 85255 [B] — 21 violations ⚠
- 85256 [B] — 21 violations ⚠
- 85257 [B] — 21 violations ⚠
- 85258 [B] — 21 violations ⚠
- 85259 [B] — 21 violations ⚠
- 85260 [B] — 21 violations ⚠
- 85261 [B] — 21 violations ⚠
- 85262 [B] — 21 violations ⚠
- 85266 [B] — 21 violations ⚠
- 85267 [B] — 21 violations ⚠
- 85271 [B] — 21 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.
Scottsdale Community Health Snapshot
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
What's in Scottsdale's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Scottsdale Infrastructure Age
With 41% 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
With a median build year of 1987, Scottsdale's housing stock reflects a city built across multiple eras. A substantial share of homes predate 1986 — the year lead solder in plumbing was federally banned — meaning the risk from plumbing materials is unevenly distributed across the city's neighborhoods and property types.
Most homes in Scottsdale 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Scottsdale
Because property values in Scottsdale comfortably exceed estimated remediation costs, the equity impact here is proportionally small.
Remediation costs in Scottsdale are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,073–$3,573 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 130% above the Arizona average.
Scottsdale: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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.
Older stock in Scottsdale represents 41% of the inventory, and citywide monitoring runs at or above the federal action level — making an in-home read a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Scottsdale: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Over the multi-decade window covered by the National Flood Insurance Program, Scottsdale has accumulated 360 claims — a total that suggests more than isolated flood exposure. With 73% of ZIP codes in designated flood zones, the water-quality implications of flooding move from hypothetical to periodically relevant: treatment intake can be compromised, wells can be infiltrated, and distribution backflow can occur.
Scottsdale has a moderate flood history with 360 FEMA claims averaging $13,746 per payout. 73% 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>$2,113</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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Scottsdale, AZ