Water Quality in Steamboat Springs, CO: 150 Violations — Grade C
Grade C · Score 69/100 · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-05-03
Steamboat Springs's water has moderate compliance issues. Residents in affected areas should consider filtration.
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) Last verified: 2026-05-03
Steamboat Springs, CO — 150 compliance events documented in the federal drinking water record.
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Steamboat Springs
Water quality varies across Steamboat Springs's 3 ZIP codes. Check your specific ZIP for detailed contaminant data.
| ZIP Code | Grade | Score | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80487 | C | 67 | 50 | 8 | View report → |
| 80488 | C | 69 | 50 | 8 | View report → |
| 80477 | B | 72 | 50 | 8 | View report → |
Violation Trend
EPA violations recorded for water systems serving Steamboat Springs.
Water Quality Overview
Steamboat Springs, Colorado receives a water quality grade of C with an overall score of 69 out of 100, based on EPA compliance data from the Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS).
The 5 water systems serving Steamboat Springs have accumulated 150 EPA violations, including 24 health-based violations. These violations are tracked across 3 ZIP codes serving approximately 28,847 people.
What Grade C Means
A grade of C indicates moderate compliance issues. Steamboat Springs's water systems have some violations that warrant attention. While the water may still be safe for most people, residents in affected ZIP codes should consider additional testing or filtration.
Lead Levels
The average 90th percentile lead level across Steamboat Springs water systems is 0.0043 mg/L — within EPA limits. No ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level.
Radon Risk
Steamboat Springs is in EPA Radon Zone 2 (Moderate risk). Testing is recommended, especially for homes with basements or ground-level living spaces.
Water Systems Serving Steamboat Springs
Steamboat Springs is served by 5 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 28,847 people across 3 ZIP codes.
Each water system is identified by a Public Water System ID (PWSID) and is required to:
- Test for over 90 regulated contaminants on a regular schedule
- Report results to the EPA and state regulators
- Issue an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) to all customers
- Take corrective action when violations occur
The EPA has taken 30 enforcement actions against water systems serving Steamboat Springs. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in Steamboat Springs
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup to see your specific water system data, including contaminant levels, violation history, and safety scores
Request your CCR — your water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results for all monitored contaminants
Get a home test — certified kits cost $20–$50 and test for lead, bacteria, and common contaminants. Professional lab tests ($150–$400) cover a broader panel
Consider filtration — NSF-certified filters can remove specific contaminants. Reverse osmosis removes the broadest range; activated carbon is effective for chlorine and many organics
Check for advisories — monitor your local utility website and local news for boil water advisories or system alerts
Contaminants Detected in Steamboat Springs Water Systems
The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across Steamboat Springs's water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | MCL | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E. coli | Microbiological | N/A | 30 | 3 | No |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.08 mg/L | 24 | 3 | Yes |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 24 | 3 | No |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | N/A | 12 | 3 | No |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 9 | 3 | No |
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 1 mg/L | 6 | 3 | Yes |
| Bromochloroacetic Acid | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 6 | 3 | No |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 3 | 3 | No |
| Lead | Inorganic | 0.015 mg/L | 3 | 3 | No |
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | N/A | 3 | 3 | No |
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA enforceable standard). Health-based violations indicate levels that may pose direct health risks.
Violation Trend Over Time
Year-by-year EPA violations recorded for water systems serving Steamboat Springs:
| Year | Total Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 12 | 12 |
| 2023 | 6 | 6 |
| 2025 | 3 | 3 |
Violations have decreased from 12 in 2021 to 3 in 2025, indicating improving compliance.
EPA Enforcement History
The EPA and state regulators have taken 8 enforcement actions against water systems serving Steamboat Springs. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2025-10-15 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-10-15 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2025-08-08 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-08-08 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2025-07-21 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-07-21 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2025-07-17 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-07-17 | State Informal Enforcement |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2025-10-15.
Steamboat Springs vs. Nearby Colorado Cities
How Steamboat Springs's water quality compares to similar cities in Colorado:
| City | Grade | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steamboat Springs | C | 150 | 5 | 28,847 |
| Breckenridge | C | 14 | 1 | 28,315 |
| Firestone | C | 6 | 3 | 28,239 |
| Windsor | C | 12 | 5 | 27,498 |
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Steamboat Springs
Water quality varies across Steamboat Springs's ZIP codes. The table below shows the worst-scoring and best-scoring areas:
Common Questions About Steamboat Springs Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Steamboat Springs, Colorado:
Is Steamboat Springs water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Steamboat Springs's 5 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Steamboat Springs tap water? Steamboat Springs's water receives a grade of C (69/100). There are 24 health-based violations — consider filtration.
What is the best water filter for Steamboat Springs? A NSF/ANSI 53-certified filter for lead removal is a good general choice. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Steamboat Springs vs. Colorado Average
Understanding how Steamboat Springs compares to the broader Colorado average helps contextualize your local water quality. Factors like water source, treatment methods, and infrastructure age all contribute to differences between cities in the same state.
To see how individual neighborhoods compare, check the ZIP code reports below — water quality can vary significantly even within Steamboat Springs.
ZIP Codes in Steamboat Springs
Steamboat Springs spans 3 ZIP codes. The ZIP with the lowest water quality score is 80477. Each ZIP code has its own water quality profile based on the specific water system serving that area. Check each ZIP code for detailed contaminant data, violation history, and system information.
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
- Enforcement: EPA ECHO database
- Filter recommendations: NSF/ANSI certified products
Updated daily.