Hotchkiss, CO: 9 Health Violations - Home Safety 55/100
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Hotchkiss: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
Your top priority: consider a certified water filter (9 health violations on record). NSF certified filters →
Compliance figures for Hotchkiss indicate average water quality in CO overall - some service areas have recorded health-based violations in recent monitoring cycles, while others operate cleanly, making system-level data the most actionable reference point for residents.
How Hotchkiss Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Key Facts for Hotchkiss Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 27 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.004 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 68% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,000 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.71 - above typical levels.
Hotchkiss's Water Providers
2 water utilities share the residential service territory in Hotchkiss, CO - out of 2 total systems in federal records.
- C
- C
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Hotchkiss, Colorado (population ~3,223), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 5,299 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. 9 health-based violations appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Hotchkiss: C (55/100)
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
Hotchkiss water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0040 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| E. coli | Microbiological | 16 | 1 |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 14 | 1 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 10 | 1 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 8 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 4 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 81419 | C | 27 | 9 | Upper Surface Creek Domestic Wua |
All ZIP Codes in Hotchkiss
- 81419 [C] - 27 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.
Hotchkiss 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 Hotchkiss's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Hotchkiss Infrastructure Age
With 68% 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
Federal plumbing rules changed in two stages - lead pipes were phased out before 1970, and lead solder was banned in 1986 - but in Hotchkiss, where the median build year is 1976, most of the housing was already in place before those rules took effect. The materials installed under older standards remain embedded in a substantial portion of the residential inventory today.
Over half of homes in Hotchkiss 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Hotchkiss
Placing remediation in the context of Hotchkiss'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 Hotchkiss are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,900–$4,800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 22% below the Colorado average.
Hotchkiss: 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.
Although utility-side compliance with federal Lead and Copper requirements remains the system reference, that compliance does not extend down into interior plumbing. With 68% of Hotchkiss stock built before the solder ban and aggregate readings at or beyond the action mark, a household-level sample becomes the practical way to close that information gap.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Hotchkiss: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context
Historical NFIP data for Hotchkiss contains 5 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $5,839. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 0% 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 Hotchkiss
- 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 Hotchkiss's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 68% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Hotchkiss, CO