Worst Infrastructure: Arizona — 2026 Rankings

Out of 547 ZIP codes with infrastructure data in Arizona, these areas face the highest estimated risk of water pipe failure based on infrastructure age, funding gaps, and violation history.

Statistic	Value
ZIP codes ranked	547
Highest risk	59%
Median risk	31%
Average risk	33%
State	Arizona

Top 100 Highest Risk ZIP Codes

Rank	ZIP Code	City	State	Pipe Failure Risk	Risk Level	Safety Score
1	86331	Jerome	AZ	59%	High	59/100
2	85135	Hayden	AZ	57%	High	48/100
3	85607	Douglas	AZ	54%	High	76/100
4	85137	Kearny	AZ	53%	High	70/100
5	85328	Cibola	AZ	53%	High	58/100
6	85352	Tacna	AZ	53%	High	58/100
7	85707	Tucson	AZ	53%	High	50/100
8	85603	Bisbee	AZ	52%	High	76/100
9	85654	Rillito	AZ	52%	High	65/100
10	85173	Superior	AZ	51%	High	81/100
11	85633	Sasabe	AZ	51%	High	80/100
12	85172	Stanfield	AZ	50%	High	50/100
13	85618	Mammoth	AZ	50%	High	54/100
14	85006	Phoenix	AZ	49%	High	58/100
15	85532	Claypool	AZ	49%	High	63/100
16	85632	San Simon	AZ	49%	High	58/100
17	85007	Phoenix	AZ	48%	High	53/100
18	85191	Valley Farms	AZ	48%	High	63/100
19	85257	Scottsdale	AZ	48%	High	77/100
20	85621	Nogales	AZ	48%	High	63/100
21	86336	Sedona	AZ	48%	High	70/100
22	85009	Phoenix	AZ	47%	High	53/100
23	85250	Scottsdale	AZ	47%	High	77/100
24	85544	Pine	AZ	47%	High	57/100
25	85610	Elfrida	AZ	47%	High	66/100
26	86440	Mohave Valley	AZ	47%	High	69/100
27	85015	Phoenix	AZ	46%	High	48/100
28	85019	Phoenix	AZ	46%	High	53/100
29	85031	Phoenix	AZ	46%	High	48/100
30	85321	Ajo	AZ	46%	High	75/100
31	85533	Clifton	AZ	46%	High	49/100
32	85534	Duncan	AZ	46%	High	74/100
33	85543	Pima	AZ	46%	High	54/100
34	85701	Tucson	AZ	46%	High	58/100
35	86029	Sun Valley	AZ	46%	High	69/100
36	86303	Prescott	AZ	46%	High	36/100
37	86343	Crown King	AZ	46%	High	77/100
38	85013	Phoenix	AZ	45%	High	48/100
39	85017	Phoenix	AZ	45%	High	53/100
40	85051	Phoenix	AZ	45%	High	53/100
41	85364	Yuma	AZ	45%	High	54/100
42	85631	San Manuel	AZ	45%	High	82/100
43	85716	Tucson	AZ	45%	High	53/100
44	85938	Springerville	AZ	45%	High	45/100
45	86025	Holbrook	AZ	45%	High	76/100
46	86351	Sedona	AZ	45%	High	80/100
47	85014	Phoenix	AZ	44%	High	48/100
48	85018	Phoenix	AZ	44%	High	48/100
49	85028	Phoenix	AZ	44%	High	58/100
50	85029	Phoenix	AZ	44%	High	53/100
51	85033	Phoenix	AZ	44%	High	53/100
52	85203	Mesa	AZ	44%	High	67/100
53	85251	Scottsdale	AZ	44%	High	72/100
54	85351	Sun City	AZ	44%	High	76/100
55	85501	Globe	AZ	44%	High	77/100
56	85711	Tucson	AZ	44%	High	58/100
57	85003	Phoenix	AZ	43%	High	58/100
58	85021	Phoenix	AZ	43%	High	48/100
59	85053	Phoenix	AZ	43%	High	50/100
60	85131	Eloy	AZ	43%	High	79/100
61	85202	Mesa	AZ	43%	High	72/100
62	85539	Miami	AZ	43%	High	82/100
63	85540	Morenci	AZ	43%	High	67/100
64	85624	Patagonia	AZ	43%	High	82/100
65	85714	Tucson	AZ	43%	High	58/100
66	85719	Tucson	AZ	43%	High	53/100
67	85929	Lakeside	AZ	43%	High	75/100
68	86333	Mayer	AZ	43%	High	69/100
69	86433	Oatman	AZ	43%	High	82/100
70	85231	Eloy	AZ	42%	High	78/100
71	85256	Scottsdale	AZ	42%	High	82/100
72	85258	Scottsdale	AZ	42%	High	77/100
73	85272	Stanfield	AZ	42%	High	50/100
74	85282	Tempe	AZ	42%	High	82/100
75	85645	Amado	AZ	42%	High	79/100
76	86052	North Rim	AZ	42%	High	53/100
77	86322	Camp Verde	AZ	42%	High	70/100
78	86339	Sedona	AZ	42%	High	79/100
79	86340	Sedona	AZ	42%	High	80/100
80	86341	Sedona	AZ	42%	High	79/100
81	86446	Mohave Valley	AZ	42%	High	74/100
82	85020	Phoenix	AZ	41%	High	48/100
83	85204	Mesa	AZ	41%	High	72/100
84	85301	Glendale	AZ	41%	High	67/100
85	85337	Gila Bend	AZ	41%	High	75/100
86	85341	Lukeville	AZ	41%	High	53/100
87	85371	Poston	AZ	41%	High	53/100
88	85546	Safford	AZ	41%	High	68/100
89	85705	Tucson	AZ	41%	High	53/100
90	85710	Tucson	AZ	41%	High	53/100
91	85712	Tucson	AZ	41%	High	53/100
92	85008	Phoenix	AZ	40%	Moderate	48/100
93	85016	Phoenix	AZ	40%	Moderate	48/100
94	85035	Phoenix	AZ	40%	Moderate	58/100
95	85201	Mesa	AZ	40%	Moderate	67/100
96	85210	Mesa	AZ	40%	Moderate	72/100
97	85324	Black Canyon City	AZ	40%	Moderate	58/100
98	85357	Wenden	AZ	40%	Moderate	82/100
99	85362	Yarnell	AZ	40%	Moderate	75/100
100	85551	Solomon	AZ	40%	Moderate	53/100

Methodology

Infrastructure risk rankings combine four data sources, each weighted equally (25%): (1) EPA Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey (DWINS 2023) — state-level 20-year funding gap per capita for pipe replacement, treatment, and storage; (2) Census ACS housing vintage — percentage of homes built before 1980, when lead solder and galvanized pipes were common; (3) EPA SDWIS violation and enforcement data — system-level compliance history; (4) Lead and Copper Rule indicators — service line material inventories and 90th percentile lead testing results. The combined score is normalized to a 0-100% probability scale.

Data sources: EPA DWINS 2023, Census ACS, EPA SDWIS, Lead and Copper Rule data. Last updated: 2026-06-04.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does pipe failure probability mean?

Pipe failure probability estimates the likelihood of water main breaks, lead contamination from corroded pipes, or service disruptions based on infrastructure age, state funding gaps, violation history, and lead indicators. It is not a prediction of imminent failure, but a risk assessment based on known factors.

How is infrastructure risk calculated?

The risk score combines four equally weighted factors: state-level infrastructure funding gap per capita (from EPA DWINS 2023), housing vintage (Census ACS pre-1980 housing percentage), water system violation and enforcement history (EPA SDWIS), and lead exposure indicators (service line probability and testing results).

What can homeowners do about aging infrastructure?

Test your tap water annually, especially for lead. Check if your home has a lead service line through your water utility. Consider a whole-house water filter (NSF/ANSI 53 certified). Review your water system Consumer Confidence Report for violation history.

Does high risk mean my water is unsafe right now?

Not necessarily. Infrastructure risk indicates long-term vulnerability, not current contamination. However, areas with aging pipes and high violation counts have a statistically higher chance of water quality issues. Regular testing is the best way to verify your water safety.