Coal Creek, CO: High Radon Risk — 66/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-04
Coal Creek, CO: middle-tier water safety by the latest federal monitoring.
How Coal Creek Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
Key Facts for Coal Creek Residents
- Average lead level: 0.0002 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 42% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.01 — above typical levels.
Coal Creek's Water Providers
While 1 water system appear in federal records for Coal Creek, CO, one provider supplies the majority of residential connections — making it the central point of infrastructure and compliance accountability for most households.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Coal Creek, Colorado, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 360 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Coal Creek — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Coal Creek: C (66/100)
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
Coal Creek water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0002 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.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 81221 | C | Coal Creek Town of | 350 |
All ZIP Codes in Coal Creek
- 81221 [C]
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.
Coal Creek 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
Coal Creek Infrastructure Age
With 42% 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
Because Coal Creek's housing stock spans a wide range of construction eras, the median build year of 1997 lands in a zone where two distinct risk populations share the same residential market. Homes built before 1986 may have lead-soldered copper plumbing joints — that practice was federally prohibited in 1986 but remained standard until then. The fraction built before 1970 face an additional risk: lead pipes used for service line connections were common before that decade, meaning both the pipe and the solder may be lead-containing in the oldest structures. Residents in mid-century or earlier homes face a different risk environment than neighbors in houses built after 1986, even if they drink from the same utility's supply — and that property-level divergence is what makes the age distribution above more diagnostic than the city-wide median alone.
Most homes in Coal Creek 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 Coal Creek
The household financial picture for Coal Creek homeowners is proportionally favorable — addressing documented issues claims a small slice of equity, and the cost-to-value ratio puts this area well within the manageable tier.
Remediation costs in Coal Creek are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$1,500 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 55% below the Colorado average.
Coal Creek: 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.
In recent monitoring under the Lead and Copper Rule, citywide samples for Coal Creek have approached or crossed the regulatory action level on multiple occasions. Combined with 42% of stock dating from the pre-rule era, the picture supports baseline single-tap reads as a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Coal Creek
- 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. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 42% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Coal Creek, CO