Sierra Vista, AZ: PFAS Found in Water - Home Safety 67/100
4 ZIP codes · 8 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Sierra Vista: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
Your top priority: consider a certified water filter (13 health violations on record). NSF certified filters →
If you're checking Sierra Vista, AZ tap water safety, the short answer is: average - violations are present in parts of the city and specifics depend on which water system serves your address.
How Sierra Vista Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
What You Should Know About Sierra Vista Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 241 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.004 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $2,150 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.63 - above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Sierra Vista
Sierra Vista, AZ draws its residential water from 3 separate providers among the 8 federally tracked systems. Each operates independently, with its own infrastructure, rate structure, and compliance record.
- C
- C
- C
Overview
We track home safety data for 4 ZIP codes in Sierra Vista, Arizona, covering 8 community water systems serving approximately 49,112 people. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 2 of 4 ZIP codes.
2 of 2 ZIP codes with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 13 health-based violations appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Sierra Vista: C (67/100)
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
Sierra Vista water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0040 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 2 ZIP codes 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): 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | 41 | 2 |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 26 | 2 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 19 | 2 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 19 | 2 |
| Atrazine | Organic | 15 | 2 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 85635 | C | 229 | 10 | Bella Vista City Water System |
| 85650 | C | 227 | 8 | Pueblo Del Sol Water Company |
All ZIP Codes in Sierra Vista
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 Sierra Vista
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 Sierra Vista Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Sierra Vista Homeowners
How much of a Sierra Vista home's value does documented remediation represent? A small fraction - the equity share here is in the low tier, and from a household financial perspective, most property owners are considering a commitment that fits comfortably within standard planning rather than a decision that rises to the level of a material budget event or significant equity consideration.
Remediation costs in Sierra Vista are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,050–$4,050 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 0% above the Arizona average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Sierra Vista
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 Sierra Vista 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 Sierra Vista
Historical NFIP data for Sierra Vista contains 17 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $8,866. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 33% 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>$2,150</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 Sierra Vista
- 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 Total Coliform can reduce the most common contaminant found in Sierra Vista'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 Sierra Vista, AZ