Littleton, CO: 14 Health Violations - 64/100
16 ZIP codes · 16 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Littleton: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
Your top priority: consider a certified water filter (14 health violations on record). NSF certified filters →
Littleton shows moderate tap water quality for CO - some areas carry documented EPA violations while others meet standards without issues.
Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS
Key Facts for Littleton Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 113 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0045 mg/L.
Water Quality in Littleton
We track home safety signals for 16 ZIP codes in Littleton, Colorado. EPA community-water data is directly mapped for 10 ZIP codes and 16 water systems.
5 of 10 directly mapped ZIP records with reported violation counts (50%) have recorded EPA violations - 113 total, including 14 health-based violations.
Average Home Safety Score: C (64/100)
Water sources: Groundwater, Surface water.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Alpha | Radionuclides | 11 | 1 |
| E. coli | Microbiological | 10 | 5 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 8 | 5 |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 8 | 3 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 6 | 1 |
Lead Risk
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0045 mg/L
- 0 of 8 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
- 41% of housing built before 1986 (when lead solder was banned)
- 2% of housing built before 1950 (when lead pipes were standard)
- Median year built: 1988
- Most common estimated pipe material: Copper
- Lead exposure risk score: 43/100
- Estimated lead service line probability: 13%
- 5 ZIP codes classified as high or very high lead risk
With 41% of homes built before the 1986 lead solder ban, Littleton residents - especially those in older neighborhoods - should consider testing their tap water for lead. Homes built before 1950 are at the highest risk of having lead service lines.
Housing Age Distribution
129,214 total housing units across 16 ZIP codes:
| Era | Units | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-1940 | 1,281 | 1% |
| 1940–1949 | 688 | 1% |
| 1950–1959 | 4,875 | 4% |
| 1960–1969 | 9,952 | 8% |
| 1970–1979 | 21,838 | 17% |
| 1980–1989 | 27,004 | 21% |
| 1990–1999 | 34,455 | 27% |
| 2000–2009 | 20,454 | 16% |
| 2010–2019 | 7,725 | 6% |
| 2020+ | 942 | 1% |
Flood Risk
FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for Littleton:
- 89 flood insurance claims on record
- $404,547 sum of reported building, contents, and ICC payment components
- 41 claims with payment data
- 48 claims without reported payment fields
- $9,867 average reported component sum among claims with payment data
- Dominant rated-zone value in historical claims: X (other)
- 1 of 10 ZIP codes with claim-zone records have an A/V-family dominant rated zone in those claims
- Claim-zone values are historical insurance records, not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory
Radon Risk
Dominant EPA radon zone among 16 ZIP records with zone data: Zone 1 (High Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 16 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.
Neighborhoods by Safety Score
Safest Areas
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Grade | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80122 | 67/100 | C | 0 |
| 80126 | 67/100 | C | 0 |
| 80128 | 67/100 | C | 0 |
| 80129 | 67/100 | C | 0 |
| 80130 | 67/100 | C | 0 |
| 80120 | 64/100 | C | 6 |
| 80121 | 64/100 | C | 6 |
| 80125 | 64/100 | C | 28 |
| 80123 | 63/100 | C | 40 |
| 80127 | 53/100 | D | 33 |
What Littleton Residents Can Do
Test Your Water
- Order a certified lab test - home test kits cost $20–50 and cover lead, bacteria, and common contaminants
- Request your utility's CCR (Consumer Confidence Report) - your water provider must publish this annually
- Check your ZIP code - each area in Littleton has different water systems and risk levels
Filter Your Water
- NSF-certified pitcher filter removes chlorine taste and some contaminants ($20–40)
- NSF 53-certified filter for lead - recommended for homes built before 1986
- Reverse osmosis system removes 95%+ of contaminants including lead, PFAS, and nitrates ($150–400)
Test for Radon
- Littleton is in a high-risk radon area
- Short-term radon test kits cost $10–25
- If levels exceed 4 pCi/L, EPA recommends professional mitigation
Stay Informed
- Visit your ZIP code report for detailed, address-level data
- Sign up for EPA water quality alerts
- Review the annual water quality report from your local utility
All ZIP Codes in Littleton
- 80120 [C] - 6 violations ⚠
- 80121 [C] - 6 violations ⚠
- 80122 [C]
- 80123 [C] - 40 violations ⚠
- 80125 [C] - 28 violations
- 80126 [C]
- 80127 [D] - 33 violations ⚠
- 80128 [C]
- 80129 [C]
- 80130 [C]
- 80160
- 80161
- 80162
- 80163
- 80165
- 80166
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tap water safe to drink in Littleton, CO?
The Home Safety Score is not a drinking-water grade. Littleton has an average score of 64/100 (grade C) across 10 ZIP codes with complete current-model evidence. Separately, there are 113 recorded EPA violations across 10 directly mapped ZIP records with reported counts, 14 of which are health-based. Check the specific ZIP and serving utility before drawing a water-safety conclusion.
Does Littleton have lead in the water?
The average 90th-percentile lead level across Littleton is 0.0045 mg/L, below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. 0 of 8 ZIP codes with known action-level status exceed the EPA limit. About 41% of housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was banned.
Is Littleton at risk for flooding?
FEMA data shows 89 flood insurance claim records in Littleton ZIP codes, with an average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum of $9,867 among 41 claims with payment data. 48 claims lack reported payment fields and are not counted as zero. Among 10 ZIP codes with historical claim-zone values, 1 have an A/V-family dominant rated zone in those claims. Claim records do not establish current property-level flood risk; check the FEMA map for a specific address.
Are there lead pipes in Littleton homes?
41% of Littleton housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was common in plumbing. 2% was built before 1950, when lead pipes were standard. The most common estimated pipe material is Copper. The estimated probability of lead service lines is 13%. We recommend testing your water if your home was built before 1986.
What contaminants have been found in Littleton water?
The most common contaminants by violation count are Gross Alpha, E. coli, Consumer Confidence Report Rule. Across 10 ZIP codes with directly mapped EPA water data, 5 have recorded EPA violations. Check your ZIP code report for the specific contaminants in your area.
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Housing age: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey
- Flood data: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program
- Lead exposure: Composite risk score based on housing age, water lead levels, and service line estimates
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.
Littleton 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
Compared to many older metro areas, Littleton carries a relatively newer housing profile - the median build year of 1988 places most of the stock in the post-1986 era when lead solder was federally banned from new plumbing. That shift meaningfully reduces the baseline likelihood of lead leaching from copper joint solder. Homes from before 1986 do still exist in the mix, however, and individual testing remains the only way to confirm what a specific tap actually delivers.
Most homes in Littleton 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.
Littleton: 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.
Lead risk in Littleton 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.
Littleton: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context
Historical NFIP data for Littleton contains 89 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $9,867. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 10% 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.
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 Littleton
- 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. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Littleton, CO