Vail, CO Water Safety: 81/100 (2026)
2 ZIP codes · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Water systems serving Vail hold a strong EPA compliance record — the city places among the better-performing areas in CO with few health-based violations on file.
How Vail Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Vail Water: The Quick Version
- Average lead level: 0.002 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,000 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 9.86.
Water Systems Serving Vail
With one provider handling most of Vail's residential supply in CO, water service accountability is concentrated in a single utility among the 1 system on record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 2 ZIP codes in Vail, Colorado (population ~4,971), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 51,515 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Vail — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Vail: B (81/100)
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
Vail water systems draw from: 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)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 2 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 81657 | B | Eagle River Water Supply District | 51,515 |
| 81658 | B | Eagle River Water Supply District | 51,515 |
All ZIP Codes in Vail
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 Vail
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
Vail: Remediation Cost in Perspective
How much of a Vail home's value does documented remediation represent? A small fraction — the equity share here is in the low tier, and from a household financial perspective, most property owners are considering a commitment that fits comfortably within standard planning rather than a decision that rises to the level of a material budget event or significant equity consideration.
Remediation costs in Vail are relatively low compared to home values. The $400–$1,700 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 132% above the Colorado average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Vail
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.
Lead risk in Vail appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Vail
Taken together, Vail's 13 NFIP flood insurance claims and 50% FEMA flood zone coverage place it in the moderate range of exposure. That middle position has specific implications for water quality. The contamination pathways that flooding can open — surface water overwhelming treatment facility intake, floodwaters infiltrating private wells, distribution pressure changes creating backflow — are not constant risks in a moderate-exposure community. But they do become active during significant flood events, and the claim record here indicates enough of those events to make flood timing an occasional factor in local water quality conversations.
Vail has a moderate flood history with 13 FEMA claims averaging $11,235 per payout. 50% 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>$1,000</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 Vail, CO