South Fork, CO: 8 Violations — 79/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 4 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Based on current monitoring, South Fork holds an above-average drinking water safety record for CO — violations are infrequent and typically minor when they do appear.
How South Fork Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for South Fork Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 8 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.002 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 39% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.32 — above typical levels.
South Fork's Water Providers
Throughout South Fork, CO, water comes from one of 3 primary utilities out of 4 total systems — independent providers with different rate structures, infrastructure, and compliance records that vary across the service territory.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in South Fork, Colorado, covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 1,259 people.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for South Fork: B (79/100)
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
South Fork water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0020 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 4 | 1 |
| Fluoride | Inorganic | 2 | 1 |
| Lead | Inorganic | 2 | 1 |
| Contaminant 2959 | Other | 2 | 1 |
| Gross Beta | Radionuclides | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 81154 | B | 8 | 0 | South Fork West Municipal Town of |
All ZIP Codes in South Fork
- 81154 [B] — 8 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.
South Fork 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 South Fork's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
South Fork 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
Roughly balanced between older and newer construction, South Fork shows a median build year of 1997 — a mid-range figure that places meaningful amounts of the residential inventory on both sides of the 1986 federal plumbing-solder ban.
Most homes in South Fork 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in South Fork
Across South Fork, the equity share taken up by estimated remediation is small — a favorable ratio for most property owners.
Remediation costs in South Fork are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,200–$3,300 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 10% below the Colorado average.
South Fork: 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.
In recent monitoring under the Lead and Copper Rule, citywide samples for South Fork have approached or crossed the regulatory action level on multiple occasions. Combined with 39% of stock dating from the pre-rule era, the picture supports baseline single-tap reads as a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
South Fork: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Across the NFIP's long tracking period, South Fork shows 2 claims and 100% of ZIP codes within FEMA-designated flood zones — figures that place it in moderate flood exposure territory. At this level, the water-quality implications of flooding — contaminated wells, stressed treatment intake, distribution backflow — move from theoretical edge cases to genuine periodic risks, particularly during higher-severity events.
South Fork has a moderate flood history with 2 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>$2,200</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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for South Fork, CO