Surprise, AZ: 2 Health Violations - Home Safety 62/100
5 ZIP codes · 9 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Surprise: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
In recent monitoring cycles, Surprise tap water shows a mixed record for AZ - several systems have documented violations alongside areas with clean compliance histories.
How Surprise Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
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 Home Safety grades across Surprise.
Surprise Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 94 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0007 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
9 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.
- C
- C
- C
Overview
We track home safety data for 5 ZIP codes in Surprise, Arizona (population ~154,234), covering 9 community water systems serving approximately 321,333 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 5 of 5 ZIP codes.
5 of 5 ZIP codes with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 2 health-based violations appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Surprise: C (62/100)
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
Surprise water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0007 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 5 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): 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barium | Inorganic | 52 | 5 |
| Contaminant 2105 | Other | 36 | 5 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 28 | 5 |
| Lead | Inorganic | 21 | 5 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 16 | 3 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 85378 | C | 77 | 2 | City of El Mirage |
| 85374 | C | 67 | 2 | Epcor - Agua Fria |
| 85387 | C | 64 | 2 | Epcor - Agua Fria |
| 85379 | C | 49 | 2 | Surprise City of - Mountain Vista |
| 85388 | C | 47 | 2 | Epcor - Agua Fria |
All ZIP Codes in Surprise
- 85374 [C] - 67 violations ⚠
- 85378 [C] - 77 violations ⚠
- 85379 [C] - 49 violations ⚠
- 85387 [C] - 64 violations ⚠
- 85388 [C] - 47 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.
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.
Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for Surprise
Historical NFIP data for Surprise contains 3 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $9,716. 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>$1,040</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 Surprise
- 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 Barium 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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Surprise, AZ