Rye, CO: 22 Health Violations — 40/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Within Rye, water quality data indicates below-average safety by CO standards — independent testing is a reasonable precaution for residents whose systems show active violations.
How Rye Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Rye Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 36 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.007 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 63% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,600 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.61 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Rye
Residential water service in Rye, CO is divided among 2 separate utilities, drawn from 2 systems on file with federal regulators.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Rye, Colorado (population ~1,940), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 3,500 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 22 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Rye: D (40/100)
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
Rye water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0070 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)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 28 | 1 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 12 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 12 | 1 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 6 | 1 |
| E. coli | Microbiological | 4 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 81069 | D | 36 | 22 | Colorado City Md |
All ZIP Codes in Rye
- 81069 [D] — 36 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 Rye
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 Rye Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Rye
With 63% 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 Rye, where the median build year is 1975, 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 Rye 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 Rye Homeowners
Across the Rye housing market, the estimated remediation share lands in a middle tier — not a minor footnote, but not a prohibitive burden either; the cost-to-value ratio reflects a moderate equity commitment, one that sits above routine maintenance territory and warrants a dedicated line in the household budget.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Rye. The estimated $2,300–$5,500 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 23% below the Colorado average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Rye
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.
Reading the local data together points toward a structural gap that matters more here than in low-exposure communities. 63% of Rye stock comes from the pre-rule era, and citywide monitoring either approaches or sits beyond the federal benchmark under Lead and Copper Rule sampling. A baseline kit fits the routine-diligence category, with certified filtration available via retailer networks where confirmed faucet results warrant additional measures.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Rye
Rye's flood exposure sits in the moderate range: 1 NFIP claim on record and 100% of ZIP codes within FEMA-designated flood zones. Residents with private wells or older infrastructure have reasonable grounds to factor flood timing into their water quality awareness.
Rye has a moderate flood history with 1 FEMA claims. 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>$3,600</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 Rye
- 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 Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) can reduce the most common contaminant found in Rye's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 63% 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 Rye, CO