Ridgway, CO: High Radon Risk - Home Safety Score unavailable
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated
Data: EPA SDWIS
What You Should Know About Ridgway Water
- Homes built before 1986: 32% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,000 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.64.
Who Supplies Your Water in Ridgway
Because residential water in Ridgway, CO flows primarily through a single utility, infrastructure decisions, rate-setting, and EPA compliance are all managed within one organizational structure. Federal records show 1 system active in the area, but one provider dominates the service landscape for most homes and apartments.
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Ridgway, Colorado (population ~3,150), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 20,490 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
The available EPA record reports 0 violations for 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count.
Water Sources
Ridgway water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Ridgway
- Lead action-level status: not available
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 81432 | — | Tri County Wcd | 20,490 |
All ZIP Codes in Ridgway
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 Ridgway
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
Housing & Infrastructure in Ridgway
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
Plumbing risk in residential housing tracks directly to construction era: pre-1986 homes may have lead-soldered copper joints; pre-1970 homes may have lead pipes outright. Ridgway's median build year of 1994 places the city in a moderate risk zone where neither era dominates the housing inventory. Understanding which side of the 1986 threshold a specific property falls on - and whether it predates 1970 - is the most actionable starting point for a homeowner trying to assess their own tap water exposure.
Most homes in Ridgway 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Ridgway Homeowners
In Ridgway, property wealth outpaces what documented remediation typically demands - the equity burden lands well within the low tier.
Remediation costs in Ridgway 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 70% above the Colorado average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Ridgway
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.
After the federal action removing lead-bearing solder from new plumbing took effect, building practice shifted - but 32% of the Ridgway inventory predates that line. With aggregate samples near or beyond 0.015 mg/L, an in-home check moves out of the optional column into the standard list.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical NFIP Claim Context in Ridgway
Historical NFIP data for Ridgway contains 1 flood insurance claim. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $681.
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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Ridgway, CO