Erie, CO: 1 Health Violation - Home Safety 50/100
1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Erie: D.
Several federal signals point to home-safety risks in this ZIP.
Erie, CO water systems: poor compliance record, lower-tier safety grade.
How Erie Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Key Facts for Erie Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 20 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0036 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 9% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,000 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.23.
Erie's Water Providers
Throughout Erie, CO, water comes from one of 3 primary utilities out of 5 total systems - independent providers with different rate structures, infrastructure, and compliance records that vary across the service territory.
- D
- D
- D
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Erie, Colorado (population ~37,107), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 198,712 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
1 of 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Erie: D (50/100)
Model 4.0.0 uses four measured components across three equally weighted domains. If a required domain is unavailable, no score is published:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| PFAS MCL Screen | UCMR 5 testing against the covered federal MCLs |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
| Annual AQI | EPA AirData county-year median with at least 90 observed days |
Water Sources
Erie water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0036 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 8 | 1 |
| E. coli | Microbiological | 8 | 1 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 4 | 1 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 4 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80516 | D | 20 | 1 | Erie Town of |
All ZIP Codes in Erie
- 80516 [D] - 20 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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
Erie 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 Erie's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Erie 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
Post-1986 construction is where the lower lead-solder risk lives, because that's when the federal ban on lead solder in plumbing took effect. In Erie, where the median build year is 2003, the housing stock falls broadly on the newer side of that threshold - a distribution that moderates aggregate plumbing-era risk compared to older housing markets.
Most homes in Erie 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 Erie
While no remediation project is entirely without cost, the relationship between estimated remediation and property values in Erie is notably favorable - the equity share is small enough that the household financial perspective is one of proportionality rather than pressure, and most homeowners can treat it as routine planning rather than a significant financial event.
Remediation costs in Erie are relatively low compared to home values. The $2,000–$4,000 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 51% above the Colorado average.
Erie: 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.
Since the federal solder ban took effect, new plumbing has been built without that pathway, and Erie's pre-rule stock at 9% reflects a contained footprint.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Erie: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context
Historical NFIP data for Erie contains 25 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $28,418. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 100% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.
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. The <strong>$3,000</strong> remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.
Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.
What You Can Do in Erie
- 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 Stage 1 DBP Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Erie's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Erie, CO