Arvada, CO: 35 Violations — 62/100 (2026)
7 ZIP codes · 8 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Compliance figures for Arvada indicate average water quality in CO overall — some service areas have recorded health-based violations in recent monitoring cycles, while others operate cleanly, making system-level data the most actionable reference point for residents.
How Arvada Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Arvada, CO
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Distribution of water safety grades across Arvada.
Arvada Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 35 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0031 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 56% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,143 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 10.06.
Water Systems Serving Arvada
Water delivery in Arvada, CO is handled by 3 utilities rather than a single system — drawn from 8 providers in federal records, each filing its own compliance reports and setting its own rates.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 7 ZIP codes in Arvada, Colorado (population ~138,109), covering 8 community water systems serving approximately 439,254 people region-wide.
7 of 7 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Arvada: C (62/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Arvada water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0031 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 7 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| E. coli | Microbiological | 16 | 7 |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 16 | 7 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 8 | 7 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80001 | C | 5 | 0 | City of Arvada |
| 80002 | C | 5 | 0 | City of Arvada |
| 80003 | C | 5 | 0 | City of Arvada |
| 80004 | C | 5 | 0 | City of Arvada |
| 80005 | C | 5 | 0 | City of Arvada |
| 80006 | C | 5 | 0 | City of Arvada |
| 80007 | C | 5 | 0 | City of Arvada |
All ZIP Codes in Arvada
- 80001 [C] — 5 violations
- 80002 [C] — 5 violations
- 80003 [C] — 5 violations
- 80004 [C] — 5 violations
- 80005 [C] — 5 violations
- 80006 [C] — 5 violations
- 80007 [C] — 5 violations
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
CDC Health Data for Arvada
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Key Contaminants Detected in Arvada
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Arvada's Housing Stock?
With 56% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
When more than half a city's housing predates the 1986 federal ban on lead solder, plumbing-era lead risk becomes a citywide concern rather than an exception. Arvada's median build year of 1986 places it squarely in that category.
Over half of homes in Arvada were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Arvada: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Across Arvada, the equity share taken up by estimated remediation is small — a favorable ratio for most property owners.
Remediation costs in Arvada are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,429–$2,886 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 30% above the Colorado average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Arvada
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Routinely in Arvada, where 56% of housing predates the solder ban and aggregate utility readings hover near the federal threshold, a faucet-level draw functions as a standard household step for families with small kids.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Arvada
Measured across the NFIP's multi-decade tracking period, Arvada shows a moderate flood record — 92 claims and 71% of ZIP codes carrying FEMA flood zone status. For water quality, that combination matters because flood events at this frequency can periodically stress infrastructure: treatment plants, private wells, and distribution systems all face elevated risk during significant flooding.
Arvada has a moderate flood history with 92 FEMA claims averaging $12,313 per payout. 71% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$2,143</strong> remediation cost per household.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
What You Can Do in Arvada
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for E. coli can reduce the most common contaminant found in Arvada's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 56% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Arvada, CO