Santa Cruz County, Arizona
8 ZIP codes · Avg score 68/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-04
Within Santa Cruz County, 8 tracked ZIP codes reveal moderate water quality — national standards are generally met, with some documented exceptions.
How Santa Cruz County Compares
How Santa Cruz County Compares
Santa Cruz County scores 4 points above the Arizona state average (64/100) and 0 points above the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Santa Cruz County, Arizona
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 12.8 (asthma 9.4%, diabetes 15.5%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,843, driven primarily by wildfire
Infrastructure: 0.352% avg pipe failure probability, 25% of ZIPs at high risk
50.3% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2021–2025)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Santa Cruz County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2024 with 15 violations. Past 5 years: 23 total (23 health-based).
Source: EPA SDWIS historical violations. Data may lag 6–12 months for the most recent year.
County Health Indicators vs National Average
Black markers indicate national averages. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Infrastructure Overview
Sources: Census ACS (housing age), EPA SDWIS (infrastructure risk model), state bridge inspection data.
Compound Risk Breakdown
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,843
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
18,498 housing units in Santa Cruz County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034 (Year Structure Built).
Water Safety Affordability
How much it costs to fix water issues relative to home values in Santa Cruz County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Santa Cruz County, representing a small fraction of property value.
Remediation includes water filtration, lead abatement, radon mitigation, and flood protection where applicable. Source: Census ACS, EPA SDWIS.
Health Outcomes vs National Average
CDC PLACES data for Santa Cruz County residents
Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Water Systems with Most Violations
Top 5 systems in Santa Cruz County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | City of Nogales | 22,000 | 123 |
| 2 | Valle Verde Water Company - East | 2,331 | 123 |
| 3 | Town & Country - Preston | 430 | 123 |
| 4 | The Grand Acres | 153 | 123 |
| 5 | Kino Ranch 2 | 109 | 123 |
17 total water systems serve Santa Cruz County.
All ZIP Codes in Santa Cruz County
8 ZIP codes tracked in Santa Cruz County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 85624 | Patagonia | 82 | B | 10 (1 health) | $378K |
| 2 | 85648 | Rio Rico | 81 | B | 2 | $213K |
| 3 | 85662 | Nogales | 71 | B | 41 (4 health) | — |
| 4 | 85628 | Nogales | 68 | C | 41 (4 health) | — |
| 5 | 85646 | Tubac | 68 | C | 21 | $473K |
| 6 | 85621 | Nogales | 63 | C | 41 (4 health) | $174K |
| 7 | 85640 | Tumacacori | 55 | C | 0 | — |
| 8 | 85611 | Elgin | 53 | D | 0 | $327K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Santa Cruz County
Federal and certification sources drive the ordering: EPA monitoring data, NSF certifications, FEMA flood maps, and CDC lead guidance — guides surface only when county data warrants them.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 50.3% of homes built before 1978
- Best Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Systems — Multi-contaminant removal at the kitchen tap
- Best HEPA Air Purifiers for Wildfire Smoke — Wildfire is the top compound risk factor
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Santa Cruz County, Arizona
Overview
Santa Cruz County in Arizona covers 8 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (68/100).
6 of 8 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 13 health-based violations have been documented.
← Back to Arizona water quality report
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Home values: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (median estimates by ZCTA)
Updated daily.