Worst Infrastructure: Phoenix Metro — 2026

Out of 83 ZIP codes with infrastructure data in the Phoenix metro area, these areas have the highest modeled infrastructure stress indicator values, computed from area-level data on infrastructure age, funding gaps, violation history, and lead indicators. The indicator is not a measured failure probability or forecast.

Statistic	Value
ZIP codes ranked	83
Highest stress indicator	57/100
Median stress indicator	33/100
Average stress indicator	32/100

Top 83 ZIP Codes by Infrastructure Stress

Rank	ZIP Code	City	State	Infrastructure Stress	Stress Level	Safety Score
1	86043	Second Mesa	AZ	57/100	High	—
2	85282	Tempe	AZ	47/100	High	58/100
3	85006	Phoenix	AZ	44/100	High	74/100
4	85007	Phoenix	AZ	44/100	High	74/100
5	85256	Scottsdale	AZ	44/100	High	—
6	85009	Phoenix	AZ	43/100	High	74/100
7	85018	Phoenix	AZ	42/100	High	73/100
8	85019	Phoenix	AZ	42/100	High	74/100
9	85031	Phoenix	AZ	42/100	High	74/100
10	85202	Mesa	AZ	42/100	High	66/100
11	85203	Mesa	AZ	42/100	High	66/100
12	85013	Phoenix	AZ	41/100	High	74/100
13	85015	Phoenix	AZ	41/100	High	74/100
14	85017	Phoenix	AZ	41/100	High	74/100
15	85051	Phoenix	AZ	41/100	High	74/100
16	85250	Scottsdale	AZ	41/100	High	73/100
17	85283	Tempe	AZ	41/100	High	58/100
18	85028	Phoenix	AZ	40/100	Moderate	74/100
19	85029	Phoenix	AZ	40/100	Moderate	74/100
20	85251	Scottsdale	AZ	40/100	Moderate	72/100
21	85257	Scottsdale	AZ	40/100	Moderate	74/100
22	85014	Phoenix	AZ	39/100	Moderate	74/100
23	85033	Phoenix	AZ	39/100	Moderate	74/100
24	85204	Mesa	AZ	39/100	Moderate	66/100
25	85003	Phoenix	AZ	38/100	Moderate	74/100
26	85021	Phoenix	AZ	38/100	Moderate	74/100
27	85027	Phoenix	AZ	38/100	Moderate	72/100
28	85053	Phoenix	AZ	38/100	Moderate	74/100
29	85201	Mesa	AZ	38/100	Moderate	66/100
30	85210	Mesa	AZ	38/100	Moderate	66/100
31	85008	Phoenix	AZ	36/100	Moderate	74/100
32	85016	Phoenix	AZ	36/100	Moderate	74/100
33	85020	Phoenix	AZ	36/100	Moderate	74/100
34	85012	Phoenix	AZ	35/100	Moderate	74/100
35	85035	Phoenix	AZ	35/100	Moderate	74/100
36	85206	Mesa	AZ	35/100	Moderate	42/100
37	85032	Phoenix	AZ	34/100	Moderate	74/100
38	85258	Scottsdale	AZ	34/100	Moderate	74/100
39	85281	Tempe	AZ	34/100	Moderate	48/100
40	85040	Phoenix	AZ	33/100	Moderate	74/100
41	85205	Mesa	AZ	33/100	Moderate	66/100
42	85254	Scottsdale	AZ	33/100	Moderate	73/100
43	85022	Phoenix	AZ	32/100	Moderate	74/100
44	85023	Phoenix	AZ	32/100	Moderate	74/100
45	85043	Phoenix	AZ	32/100	Moderate	66/100
46	85208	Mesa	AZ	32/100	Moderate	66/100
47	85213	Mesa	AZ	32/100	Moderate	66/100
48	85248	Chandler	AZ	32/100	Moderate	58/100
49	85284	Tempe	AZ	32/100	Moderate	58/100
50	85225	Chandler	AZ	30/100	Moderate	58/100
51	85004	Phoenix	AZ	29/100	Moderate	74/100
52	85034	Phoenix	AZ	29/100	Moderate	74/100
53	85042	Phoenix	AZ	29/100	Moderate	74/100
54	85215	Mesa	AZ	29/100	Moderate	66/100
55	85041	Phoenix	AZ	28/100	Moderate	74/100
56	85224	Chandler	AZ	28/100	Moderate	58/100
57	85037	Phoenix	AZ	27/100	Moderate	74/100
58	85044	Phoenix	AZ	27/100	Moderate	74/100
59	85209	Mesa	AZ	27/100	Moderate	58/100
60	85207	Mesa	AZ	26/100	Moderate	66/100
61	85212	Mesa	AZ	26/100	Moderate	42/100
62	85260	Scottsdale	AZ	26/100	Moderate	73/100
63	85234	Gilbert	AZ	25/100	Moderate	42/100
64	85249	Chandler	AZ	24/100	Moderate	58/100
65	85259	Scottsdale	AZ	24/100	Moderate	72/100
66	85050	Phoenix	AZ	23/100	Moderate	73/100
67	85226	Chandler	AZ	23/100	Moderate	58/100
68	85233	Gilbert	AZ	23/100	Moderate	42/100
69	85024	Phoenix	AZ	22/100	Moderate	74/100
70	85083	Phoenix	AZ	22/100	Moderate	70/100
71	85255	Scottsdale	AZ	22/100	Moderate	73/100
72	85262	Scottsdale	AZ	22/100	Moderate	72/100
73	85266	Scottsdale	AZ	22/100	Moderate	73/100
74	85286	Chandler	AZ	21/100	Moderate	58/100
75	85296	Gilbert	AZ	21/100	Moderate	42/100
76	85048	Phoenix	AZ	20/100	Low	74/100
77	85086	Phoenix	AZ	20/100	Low	71/100
78	85295	Gilbert	AZ	20/100	Low	42/100
79	85297	Gilbert	AZ	20/100	Low	42/100
80	85298	Gilbert	AZ	20/100	Low	42/100
81	85045	Phoenix	AZ	18/100	Low	74/100
82	85085	Phoenix	AZ	18/100	Low	74/100
83	85054	Phoenix	AZ	17/100	Low	74/100

Methodology

Infrastructure stress rankings combine four data sources, each weighted equally (25%): (1) EPA Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment (DWINSA 2023) — state-level 20-year infrastructure need per capita for pipe replacement, treatment, and storage; (2) Census ACS housing vintage — percentage of homes built before 1980; (3) EPA SDWIS violation and enforcement data — system-level compliance history; (4) available Lead and Copper Rule indicators — service line material inventories and testing results. The combined value is a normalized 0-100 comparative stress indicator, not a measured pipe-failure probability or a forecast.

Data sources: EPA DWINS 2023, Census ACS, EPA SDWIS, Lead and Copper Rule data. Last updated: 2026-10-15.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the infrastructure stress indicator mean?

The indicator summarizes infrastructure funding gaps, housing age, violation history, and lead indicators on a 0-100 scale. It is a comparative heuristic, not a measured pipe-failure probability or a forecast of a water-main break.

How is infrastructure stress calculated?

The indicator combines four equally weighted factors: state-level infrastructure need per capita (EPA DWINSA 2023), housing vintage (Census ACS pre-1980 housing percentage), water system compliance history (EPA SDWIS), and available lead indicators.

What can homeowners do about aging infrastructure?

Ask your water utility or health department about testing your tap water, especially for lead. Check if your home has a lead service line through your water utility. If you use a filter, choose one certified under NSF/ANSI 53 for the specific contaminant, such as lead. Review your water system Consumer Confidence Report for violation history.

Does high stress mean my water is unsafe right now?

Not necessarily. Infrastructure stress is a screening indicator of long-term vulnerability, not a measurement of current contamination or a prediction of failure. For current conditions, check utility notices and the latest Consumer Confidence Report, and test your tap for contaminants of concern.