Grand Junction, CO: 14 Violations — 68/100 (2026)
7 ZIP codes · 6 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
The systems supplying Grand Junction vary in performance across CO benchmarks — most meet minimum federal standards, but documented violations in select areas are on record.
How Grand Junction Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Grand Junction, CO
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
How ZIP codes in Grand Junction score across all safety grades.
What You Should Know About Grand Junction Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 14 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0014 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 50% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,229 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.1 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Grand Junction
Grand Junction, CO draws its residential water from 3 separate providers among the 6 federally tracked systems. Each operates independently, with its own infrastructure, rate structure, and compliance record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 7 ZIP codes in Grand Junction, Colorado, covering 6 community water systems serving approximately 112,115 people.
7 of 7 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Grand Junction: C (68/100)
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
Grand Junction water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0014 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 | 8 | 7 |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 8 | 7 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 81501 | C | 2 | 0 | Ute Wcd |
| 81502 | C | 2 | 0 | Ute Wcd |
| 81503 | C | 2 | 0 | Ute Wcd |
| 81504 | C | 2 | 0 | Ute Wcd |
| 81505 | C | 2 | 0 | Ute Wcd |
| 81506 | C | 2 | 0 | Ute Wcd |
| 81507 | C | 2 | 0 | Ute Wcd |
All ZIP Codes in Grand Junction
- 81501 [C] — 2 violations
- 81502 [C] — 2 violations
- 81503 [C] — 2 violations
- 81504 [C] — 2 violations
- 81505 [C] — 2 violations
- 81506 [C] — 2 violations
- 81507 [C] — 2 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.
Health Outcomes in Grand Junction
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 Grand Junction Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Grand Junction
With 50% 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
Viewed through the lens of construction era, Grand Junction is predominantly an older city — a median build year of 1987 puts most of the residential inventory in the range where pre-1986 plumbing materials were the standard.
Over half of homes in Grand Junction 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Grand Junction Homeowners
Placing remediation in the context of Grand Junction's property market, the equity share is low — most homeowners here are weighing a financial commitment that fits comfortably within routine property planning, far from the threshold where remediation becomes a material equity decision rather than a standard upkeep consideration.
Remediation costs in Grand Junction are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,486–$3,043 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 5% below the Colorado average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Grand Junction
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.
Pulling a tap sample fills the gap that utility data cannot close, particularly here where 50% of housing dates from the pre-rule era and citywide monitoring sits at or above the regulatory mark in Grand Junction.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Grand Junction
FEMA data shows 86% of Grand Junction's ZIP codes mapped into designated flood zones, paired with an NFIP record of 42 claims. That footprint places local flood exposure in the range where it warrants attention without rising to high-severity planning territory.
Grand Junction has a moderate flood history with 42 FEMA claims averaging $4,212 per payout. 86% 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>$2,229</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 Grand Junction
- 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 Grand Junction's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 50% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Grand Junction, CO