Bayfield, CO: 1 Health Violation — 64/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
The systems supplying Bayfield vary in performance across CO benchmarks — most meet minimum federal standards, but documented violations in select areas are on record.
How Bayfield Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Bayfield Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 6 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0011 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 39% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,900 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 10.81.
Bayfield's Water Providers
Residential water service in Bayfield, CO is divided among 3 separate utilities, drawn from 5 systems on file with federal regulators.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Bayfield, Colorado, covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 8,921 people.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Bayfield: C (64/100)
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
Bayfield water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0011 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)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| E. coli | Microbiological | 4 | 1 |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 4 | 1 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 2 | 1 |
| Chlorine residual | Disinfectant | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 81122 | C | 6 | 1 | Bayfield Town of |
All ZIP Codes in Bayfield
- 81122 [C] — 6 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.
Bayfield Community Health Snapshot
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
What's in Bayfield's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Bayfield Infrastructure Age
Housing age data helps assess potential lead pipe and infrastructure risks. Newer housing stock generally means lower plumbing-related contamination risk.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Development in Bayfield unfolded across multiple decades, and the median build year of 1996 reflects a housing inventory where eras of construction are genuinely mixed — including portions that predate the federal prohibition on lead solder in plumbing.
Most homes in Bayfield were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Bayfield
When estimated remediation is placed alongside median property values in Bayfield, the resulting ratio is low — a finding consistent with a household financial perspective where documented issues can be addressed without a meaningful impact on overall equity position, making this market one of the more favorable contexts for remediation planning.
Remediation costs in Bayfield are relatively low compared to home values. The $950–$3,200 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 2% below the Colorado average.
Bayfield: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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.
Reading the local data together points toward a structural gap that matters more here than in low-exposure communities. 39% of Bayfield stock comes from the pre-rule era, and citywide monitoring either approaches or sits beyond the federal benchmark under Lead and Copper Rule sampling. A baseline kit fits the routine-diligence category, with certified filtration available via retailer networks where confirmed faucet results warrant additional measures.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Bayfield: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Taken together, Bayfield's 25 NFIP flood insurance claims and 100% FEMA flood zone coverage place it in the moderate range of exposure. That middle position has specific implications for water quality. The contamination pathways that flooding can open — surface water overwhelming treatment facility intake, floodwaters infiltrating private wells, distribution pressure changes creating backflow — are not constant risks in a moderate-exposure community. But they do become active during significant flood events, and the claim record here indicates enough of those events to make flood timing an occasional factor in local water quality conversations.
Bayfield has a moderate flood history with 25 FEMA claims averaging $16,260 per payout. 100% 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>$1,900</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 Bayfield
- 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 Bayfield's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 39% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Bayfield, CO