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Not health advice. Contact your local water utility for concerns.
Data from EPA Water Quality Reports. For official information, contact your water utility or health department.
Analysis of lead contamination levels across Colorado cities
These cities have lead levels above 50% of the EPA limit but within compliance
| City | Level | % of Limit | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aurora | 0.0099 mg/L | 66.0% | 386,261 |
| Fountain | 0.0097 mg/L | 64.7% | 31,983 |
| Westminster | 0.0095 mg/L | 63.5% | 116,317 |
| Golden | 0.0090 mg/L | 60.0% | 21,254 |
| Wheat Ridge | 0.0090 mg/L | 60.0% | 32,133 |
| Arvada | 0.0083 mg/L | 55.2% | 124,402 |
Complete list of cities where lead has been detected, sorted by level
| City | Level | EPA Limit | % of Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AuroraGrade B- | 0.0099 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | 66.0% | Warning |
| FountainGrade C+ | 0.0097 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | 64.7% | Warning |
| WestminsterGrade C+ | 0.0095 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | 63.5% | Warning |
| GoldenGrade C- | 0.0090 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | 60.0% | Warning |
| Wheat RidgeGrade F | 0.0090 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | 60.0% | Warning |
| ArvadaGrade F | 0.0083 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | 55.2% | Warning |
| Castle RockGrade C+ | 0.0062 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | 41.3% | Safe |
| WindsorGrade F | 0.0062 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | 41.1% | Safe |
| EnglewoodGrade B- | 0.0058 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | 38.5% | Safe |
| DurangoGrade D | 0.0056 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | 37.3% | Safe |
| LovelandGrade C+ | 0.0047 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | 31.3% | Safe |
| LafayetteGrade C+ | 0.0032 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | 21.3% | Safe |
| Commerce CityGrade B+ | 0.0031 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | 20.6% | Safe |
| GreeleyGrade A | 0.0028 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | 18.6% | Safe |
| LittletonGrade B+ | 0.0027 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | 18.1% | Safe |
| Grand JunctionGrade A | 0.0026 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | 17.1% | Safe |
| BrightonGrade B+ | 0.0026 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | 17.1% | Safe |
| Fort MorganGrade B+ | 0.0023 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | 15.4% | Safe |
| Fort CollinsGrade A- | 0.0021 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | 14.3% | Safe |
| NorthglennGrade A | 0.0019 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | 12.6% | Safe |
| Colorado SpringsGrade B+ | 0.0015 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | 10.2% | Safe |
| ThorntonGrade B- | 0.0014 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | 9.2% | Safe |
| LakewoodGrade B+ | 0.0013 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | 9.0% | Safe |
| LongmontGrade A+ | 0.0011 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | 7.5% | Safe |
| DenverGrade B- | 0.0011 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | 7.3% | Safe |
Showing 25 of 33 cities. View individual city pages for detailed reports.
Lead is a toxic metal that can cause serious health effects, especially in children and pregnant women. In children, lead exposure can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, irritability, hearing loss, and behavioral problems. Even low levels of lead in blood have been shown to affect IQ, ability to pay attention, and academic achievement. In adults, lead exposure can cause cardiovascular effects including increased blood pressure and hypertension, decreased kidney function, and reproductive problems. There is no safe level of lead exposure, and the effects can be irreversible.
Corrosion of household plumbing systems including pipes, fittings, and solder; erosion of natural deposits; homes built before 1986 are more likely to have lead pipes
Based on our analysis of EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) data and local water utility reports,lead has been detected in 33 Colorado water systems. The average level across all tested cities is 24% of the EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL), with the highest detection at 66.0% of the limit.
The EPA Lead and Copper Rule requires action if lead exceeds 0.015 mg/L (15 ppb) in more than 10% of tap water samples. The EPA MCL for lead is 0.015 mg/L. This limit is set to protect public health based on available scientific evidence about the contaminant's health effects.
33 Colorado cities have lead detected in their water supply. All tested cities are within EPA safety limits.
Brain damage in children, developmental delays, high blood pressure, kidney damage. The most vulnerable groups include infants and young children and pregnant women.
The most effective methods for removing lead include Reverse Osmosis, NSF 53 Certified Carbon Filter, Distillation. Look for filters certified by NSF/ANSI for lead reduction.
The EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for lead is 0.015 mg/L.The EPA Lead and Copper Rule requires action if lead exceeds 0.015 mg/L (15 ppb) in more than 10% of tap water samples.
Recommended filtration methods for lead removal:
Removes 95-99% of lead
Must be certified for lead removal
Very effective but slow