Golden, CO: PFAS Found in Water - Home Safety 61/100
4 ZIP codes · 8 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Golden: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
Your top priority: consider a certified water filter (12 health violations on record). NSF certified filters →
Across water systems in Golden, safety results are uneven - a portion carry active or recent violations, while others meet federal standards without incident, placing the city in the middle tier for CO.
How Golden Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
What You Should Know About Golden Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 53 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0022 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,925 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 10.06.
Who Supplies Your Water in Golden
With 3 utilities splitting service in Golden, CO, water accountability is distributed across 8 systems on the federal record.
- C
- D
- C
Overview
We track home safety data for 4 ZIP codes in Golden, Colorado (population ~64,218), covering 8 community water systems serving approximately 312,206 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 3 of 4 ZIP codes.
2 of 3 ZIP codes with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (67%) have recorded EPA violations. 12 health-based violations appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Golden: C (61/100)
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
Golden water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0022 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 3 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 16 | 1 |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 12 | 2 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 10 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 8 | 1 |
| Monochloroacetic Acid | Disinfection Byproducts | 4 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80401 | D | 49 | 12 | City of Golden |
| 80403 | C | 6 | 0 | North Table Mountain Water Supply District |
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80419 | C | City of Golden | 38,288 |
All ZIP Codes in Golden
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.
Health Outcomes in Golden
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
Top Contaminants in Golden Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Golden Homeowners
While no remediation project is entirely without cost, the relationship between estimated remediation and property values in Golden 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 Golden are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,275–$2,600 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 76% above the Colorado average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Golden
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.
Lead risk in Golden appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical NFIP Claim Context in Golden
Historical NFIP data for Golden contains 46 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $9,906. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 50% 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>$1,925</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 Golden
- 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 Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) can reduce the most common contaminant found in Golden's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Golden, CO