Merino, CO: High Radon Risk — 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
State safety rankings put Merino, CO near the lower tier — below-average compliance on record.
How Merino Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Merino Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 64% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.04 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Merino
In Merino, CO, the drinking water supply is organized under a single dominant utility — a consolidated structure that shapes how infrastructure investment, regulatory compliance, and rate decisions flow to households. When one provider handles the overwhelming share of residential connections out of 1 tracked system, accountability is clear: service upgrades, EPA violation responses, and tariff changes all funnel through that single organizational structure.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Merino, Colorado (population ~870), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 15,100 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Merino — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Merino: D (53/100)
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
Merino water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Merino
- 0 ZIP codes 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.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80741 | D | STERLING CITY OF | 15,100 |
All ZIP Codes in Merino
- 80741 [D]
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.
CDC Health Data for Merino
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
How Old Is Merino's Housing Stock?
With 64% 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, Merino is predominantly an older city — a median build year of 1979 puts most of the residential inventory in the range where pre-1986 plumbing materials were the standard.
Over half of homes in Merino 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.
Merino: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Within the Merino market, estimated remediation claims a small portion of typical property equity — the financial burden is proportionally low.
Remediation costs in Merino are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,600–$3,300 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 33% below the Colorado average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Merino
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.
Practically, the structural drivers in Merino — 64% pre-rule stock and citywide monitoring at or beyond the regulatory benchmark — make an in-home draw the practical way to translate aggregate averages into the specific conditions at one address.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Merino
Flood activity in Merino is neither negligible nor at the level of the highest-exposure areas in the NFIP dataset. The 1-claim record and 100% flood zone coverage suggest a community that has experienced recurrent events but has not faced the kind of sustained, severe exposure where water-supply contamination becomes a primary public health concern. It sits in a middle range where flood history merits inclusion in any complete local water quality picture.
Merino has a moderate flood history with 1 FEMA claims averaging $1,872 per payout. 100% 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>$2,400</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 Merino
- 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. With 64% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- 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 Merino, CO