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WaterSafeCheck

ZIP Code 85396 Water Quality Report

Buckeye, AZ · Maricopa County County

Safety Score
C

Water Safety Grade

Fair — Some compliance concerns

Health Violations

0

Total Violations

19

Lead Risk

Low

Contaminants

0

About Tap Water in ZIP Code 85396

Tap water in ZIP code 85396 (Buckeye, AZ) receives a C grade (score: 69/100) based on EPA monitoring data. While the water from City of Buckeye Sonora - Sundance is treated and regulated, this area has a moderate violation history that residents should be aware of.

Water System

City of Buckeye Sonora - Sundance

EPA ID: AZ0407154

Water Source

Ground Water

Population Served

15,783 residents

County

Maricopa County County, Arizona

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Lead Levels in ZIP 85396

EPA action level: 15 ppb | Public health goal: 0 ppb

Lead Level: 2.1 ppb — Very Low

The 90th percentile lead level in 85396 is 2.1 ppb, well below the EPA action level of 15 ppb. While this is a reassuring result, the EPA's public health goal for lead is actually zero — no amount of lead is considered completely safe, particularly for children under 6 and pregnant women. Running your tap for 30 seconds before use and using a certified NSF/ANSI 53 filter adds an extra layer of protection.

Lead exposure risk in 85396 is rated Low. EPA models estimate a 16% probability of lead exposure risk in this ZIP code based on housing age, infrastructure age, and water system data. This rating reflects newer infrastructure, lower housing age, and/or low detected lead levels. Standard precautions — flushing taps before use, using filtered water for infants — are still recommended.

Lead Level (90th percentile)
2.10 ppb (0.0021 mg/L)
Lead Exposure Risk Rating
Low
Lead Exposure Probability

EPA model estimate based on housing age and infrastructure

16%
Note: Lead levels above are the 90th percentile from EPA monitoring — meaning 90% of samples were at or below this level. Even "undetected" tap water lead doesn't account for lead leaching from home plumbing. If your home was built before 1986, individual tap testing is recommended.
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Violation History

Past 5 years — EPA SDWIS data

City of Buckeye Sonora - Sundance has recorded 19 violations, but none are health-based. Administrative or reporting violations don't directly indicate unsafe water, but they do signal gaps in documentation or monitoring procedures. 4 violations are currently unresolved — meaning the issue has not yet been formally corrected in EPA records. This is a serious concern that residents should follow up on with their water utility.

Total Violations (5 yr)
19
Health-Based Violations
0
Unresolved Violations
4
Boil Water Advisories
0
Compliance Risk
High

Regulatory compliance risk is rated High. City of Buckeye Sonora - Sundance has a pattern of compliance issues that goes beyond isolated incidents. Residents should stay informed via their utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

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Contaminants Detected

Contaminants with health-based violations on record

No health-based contaminant violations are on record for ZIP code 85396. This means EPA monitoring has not found levels of regulated contaminants exceeding the Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) set under the Safe Drinking Water Act — a positive indicator of water quality compliance.

⚖ Enforcement Actions

10 enforcement actions have been issued against City of Buckeye Sonora - Sundance — a high number that reflects sustained compliance struggles. Enforcement actions escalate from administrative orders to financial penalties when utilities repeatedly fail to meet safe drinking water standards.
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Water Source & Environmental Factors

Ground Water

This system draws water from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through soil and rock, but can still contain naturally occurring minerals like arsenic, radium, or nitrates.

Water Source Type
Ground Water
EPA Radon Zone

Moderate potential

Zone 2
Energy Burden

% of household income spent on energy — indicator of older infrastructure

1.18%

EPA Radon Zone 2 — moderate radon potential. The EPA recommends testing your home regardless of zone designation.

🛡 What Should You Do? — ZIP 85396 Recommendations

  • ⚠ Use a certified NSF/ANSI 53 filter for drinking and cooking water if you have young children
  • ⚠ Never give unfiltered tap water to infants in formula — use certified bottled or filtered water
  • ⚠ Request a copy of the Consumer Confidence Report to see what was detected and when
  • ⚠ Call the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline: 1-800-426-4791

Frequently Asked Questions — ZIP 85396 Water Quality

Is tap water safe to drink in ZIP code 85396?+
Tap water in 85396 (Buckeye, AZ) is treated and regulated, but has a grade of C due to past violations. For most healthy adults, treated tap water is generally safe. Families with infants, young children, or immunocompromised individuals may want to use a certified water filter as a precaution.
What is the lead level in 85396 tap water?+
The 90th percentile lead level in 85396 is 2.1 ppb (parts per billion). The EPA action level is 15 ppb. This is a low level, well below the EPA action level of 15 ppb.
Who provides tap water to 85396?+
Tap water in ZIP code 85396 is provided by City of Buckeye Sonora - Sundance (EPA ID: AZ0407154). This system serves approximately 15,783 residents. You can contact them directly for Consumer Confidence Reports, current advisories, and billing information.
What is the water source for 85396?+
ZIP code 85396 is served by ground water. Groundwater systems draw from underground aquifers. While naturally filtered, groundwater can still contain naturally occurring contaminants such as arsenic, radium, or nitrates at elevated levels in some regions.
Does 85396 have any active water quality violations?+
Yes — there are currently 4 unresolved violations on record for this water system. Unresolved violations indicate issues that have not yet been formally corrected in EPA tracking systems. Contact City of Buckeye Sonora - Sundance for the latest update.
How do I get a copy of my water quality report for 85396?+
Your water utility — City of Buckeye Sonora - Sundance — is required by law to send you an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) by July 1 each year. You can also request it directly from the utility or find it online by searching "City of Buckeye Sonora - Sundance Consumer Confidence Report." The EPA's ECHO database also has historical compliance data.
What water filter should I use in 85396?+
The right filter depends on what contaminants are present. For lead, look for a filter certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53. For chlorine byproducts (like THMs), NSF/ANSI 42 filters work well. For a broad range of contaminants including PFAS, look for NSF/ANSI 58 (reverse osmosis) systems. For ZIP code 85396, with a clean compliance record, a standard carbon block filter meeting NSF/ANSI 42 is a good choice for taste and as a precaution.
Is 85396 tap water safe for babies and infants?+
Infants are especially vulnerable to lead, nitrates, and microbial contaminants in drinking water. Current EPA data for 85396 shows a lead level of 2.1 ppb — below the action level, but as an extra precaution, run your tap for 30 seconds before use and consider a certified lead filter for infant formula. Always consult your pediatrician for guidance specific to your child's health.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for ZIP code 85396 is compiled from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), EPA ECHO enforcement database, UCMR5 unregulated contaminant monitoring, and Consumer Confidence Reports filed by City of Buckeye Sonora - Sundance. Safety scores are composite metrics derived from violation history, lead levels, enforcement actions, and infrastructure risk indicators. Data reflects a 5-year monitoring window. Last dataset update: 2024. View EPA source data →