Surprise, AZ: 5 Health Violations — 53/100 (2026)
5 ZIP codes · 10 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Within Surprise, water quality data indicates below-average safety by AZ standards — independent testing is a reasonable precaution for residents whose systems show active violations.
How Surprise Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Surprise, AZ
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Distribution of water safety grades across Surprise.
Surprise Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 120 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0141 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 7% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,040 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.3.
Water Systems Serving Surprise
10 water systems are tracked federally in Surprise, AZ. The top 3 providers collectively serve most residential addresses, but because they operate independently, infrastructure maintenance standards and compliance histories differ from one service zone to another.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 5 ZIP codes in Surprise, Arizona (population ~154,234), covering 10 community water systems serving approximately 316,182 people region-wide.
5 of 5 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 5 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Surprise: D (53/100)
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
Surprise water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0141 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): 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 36 | 5 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 24 | 5 |
| Contaminant 2105 | Other | 18 | 5 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 18 | 5 |
| Lead | Inorganic | 12 | 5 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 85374 | D | 24 | 1 | Epcor - Agua Fria |
| 85378 | D | 24 | 1 | Epcor - Agua Fria |
| 85379 | D | 24 | 1 | Epcor - Agua Fria |
| 85387 | C | 24 | 1 | Epcor - Agua Fria |
| 85388 | D | 24 | 1 | Epcor - Agua Fria |
All ZIP Codes in Surprise
- 85374 [D] — 24 violations ⚠
- 85378 [D] — 24 violations ⚠
- 85379 [D] — 24 violations ⚠
- 85387 [C] — 24 violations ⚠
- 85388 [D] — 24 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.
CDC Health Data for Surprise
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
Key Contaminants Detected in Surprise
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Surprise's Housing Stock?
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
Surprise has a newer housing profile — median build year 2003, placing most homes after the 1986 lead-solder ban.
Most homes in Surprise 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.
Surprise: Remediation Cost in Perspective
When estimated remediation is placed alongside median property values in Surprise, the resulting ratio is low — a finding consistent with a household financial perspective where documented issues can be addressed without a meaningful impact on overall equity position, making this market one of the more favorable contexts for remediation planning.
Remediation costs in Surprise are relatively low compared to home values. The $370–$1,920 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 35% above the Arizona average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Surprise
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.
Where pre-rule stock represents a smaller fraction of the inventory — 7% across Surprise — the structural drivers of household exposure run thinner. Aggregate readings under the federal benchmark reinforce that picture, with one-home draws remaining the only direct measurement for a specific address.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Surprise
NFIP records stretching across multiple decades show Surprise accumulating 3 claims and carrying 20% of its ZIP codes inside FEMA flood zones — evidence of meaningful exposure that extends beyond isolated incidents. The mechanisms linking flooding to water quality haven't changed: treatment facilities can be overwhelmed, wells can be infiltrated, and distribution systems can experience backflow. For a community at this exposure level, those mechanisms shift from hypothetical to periodically relevant.
Surprise has a moderate flood history with 3 FEMA claims averaging $6,477 per payout. 20% 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>$1,040</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.
What You Can Do in Surprise
- 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 Stage 1 DBP Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Surprise'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 Surprise, AZ