Otero County, Colorado
6 ZIP codes · Avg score 46/100 · Grade D · Updated 2026-06-03
Monitoring across Otero County's 6 ZIP codes reveals a persistent pattern of below-average water quality — multiple areas carry documented health violations, and the data has shown little improvement over recent reporting cycles.
How Otero County Compares
How Otero County Compares
Otero County scores 14 points below the Colorado state average (60/100) and 22 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Otero County, Colorado
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 14.1 (asthma 11.3%, diabetes 14.5%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,715, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.58% avg pipe failure probability, 33% of ZIPs at high risk
81.3% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2023–2025)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Otero County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2025 with 43 violations. Past 5 years: 64 total (64 health-based).
Source: EPA SDWIS historical violations. Data may lag 6–12 months for the most recent year.
County Health Indicators vs National Average
Black markers indicate national averages. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Infrastructure Overview
Sources: Census ACS (housing age), EPA SDWIS (infrastructure risk model), state bridge inspection data.
Compound Risk Breakdown
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,715
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
8,859 housing units in Otero County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034 (Year Structure Built).
Water Safety Affordability
How much it costs to fix water issues relative to home values in Otero County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Otero County, representing a small fraction of property value.
Remediation includes water filtration, lead abatement, radon mitigation, and flood protection where applicable. Source: Census ACS, EPA SDWIS.
Health Outcomes vs National Average
CDC PLACES data for Otero County residents
Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Water Systems with Most Violations
Top 5 systems in Otero County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fowler Town of | 1,169 | 96 |
| 2 | Manzanola Town of | 497 | 88 |
| 3 | Valley Wc | 270 | 88 |
| 4 | Vroman Wc | 125 | 88 |
| 5 | Fayette Wc | 75 | 88 |
19 total water systems serve Otero County.
All ZIP Codes in Otero County
6 ZIP codes tracked in Otero County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 81077 | Swink | 65 | C | 2 (1 health) | $144K |
| 2 | 81039 | Fowler | 62 | C | 8 (3 health) | $176K |
| 3 | 81067 | Rocky Ford | 45 | D | 51 (22 health) | $139K |
| 4 | 81050 | La Junta | 35 | F | 21 (18 health) | $182K |
| 5 | 81030 | Cheraw | 33 | F | 83 (36 health) | $97K |
| 6 | 81058 | Manzanola | 33 | F | 88 (58 health) | $123K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Otero County
Federal and certification sources drive the ordering: EPA monitoring data, NSF certifications, FEMA flood maps, and CDC lead guidance — guides surface only when county data warrants them.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 81.3% of homes built before 1978
- Best Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Systems — Multi-contaminant removal at the kitchen tap
- Best Radon Test Kits — EPA Radon Zone 1 (highest risk) dominant in county
- Best Sump Pumps — Flood is the top compound risk factor
- Best Mold Test Kits — Flood-driven moisture and mold risk
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Otero County, Colorado
Overview
Otero County in Colorado covers 6 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of D (46/100).
6 of 6 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 138 health-based violations have been documented.
← Back to Colorado water quality report
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Home values: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (median estimates by ZCTA)
Updated daily.
What You Can Do
Otero County has a grade of D. Here are steps to protect your household.
Test your tap water
Order a certified lab test kit ($20-$50) to check for lead, bacteria, and other contaminants specific to your ZIP code.
Consider a certified water filter
NSF-certified filters can remove most common contaminants. Match the filter to your test results for best protection. Try our filter matcher
Contact your water utility
Request the latest Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) from your water provider. It details exactly what was found in your water supply.
Check for lead in your home
81.3% of homes in this county were built before 1978. Older plumbing and solder can leach lead into drinking water, especially in the morning.