Water System Report CO

Southwest Metropolitan Water Supply District

EPA ID: CO0103723 · 48,648 people served · 18 ZIP codes

Zero violations in five consecutive years of EPA monitoring — Southwest Metropolitan Water Supply District has held a clean track record across every reporting cycle in that span, with no enforcement activity of any kind on file for the full service population of 48,648 residents.

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02

C · 65
Avg Safety Score
48,648
People Served
18
ZIP Codes Served
0
Violations (5yr)
Surface Water
Water Source
0.005 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
0
Contaminants Flagged
$648K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Compliance Trajectory

Stable · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months

Violations went from 6 (2021) to 3 (2024). Violation counts have remained relatively steady.

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Southwest Metropolitan Water Supply District Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$131,531
Median Household Income
341,421
Service Area Population
8%
Disadvantaged Population
22th
Poverty Percentile
10th
Energy Burden Percentile
44%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Southwest Metropolitan Water Supply District serves a community with a median household income of $131,531 and an estimated 341,421 residents across its service area. Approximately 44% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

🌊 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Surface Water

Southwest Metropolitan Water Supply District's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap.

Moderate Risk
Source Contamination Risk
40th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
62th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Arapahoe County, Colorado rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.

Superfund Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 62th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites.

Infrastructure Risk

44 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
30 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Stable
Decay Status
Installed 59% of expected lifespan used End of life

PFAS Detected in Service Area

PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 26 detections recorded. 1 exceeds federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS).

State limits: PFOA: 0.07 ppt, PFOS: 0.07 ppt
Health concern: PFAS are linked to cancer, thyroid disease, immune suppression, and developmental effects. They do not break down naturally.
Recommended filter: Reverse osmosis (RO) or activated carbon filters certified for PFAS removal. Find the right filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Colorado

C 6 violations
City of Brighton
56,304 people
C 1 violation
Erie Town of
40,061 people
C 1 violation
City of Englewood
57,332 people
C 13 violations
City of Golden
38,288 people
C 3 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Radon Mitigation Flood Insurance PFAS Treatment
Radon Mitigation $1,200
Flood Insurance $867
PFAS Treatment $172
Total Estimated Cost $2,239

Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.

Cost of Inaction

If water quality issues in this service area are not addressed, the estimated financial impact per household is:

PFAS Exposure — Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$165
10 years
$330
20 years
$660

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $2,239 (one-time) vs. $330 in estimated inaction costs over 10 years.

Estimates based on published EPA, CDC, and peer-reviewed research. Individual costs vary by household size, property, and health factors. These are conservative lower-bound estimates intended for awareness, not financial advice.

System Overview

Southwest Metropolitan Water Supply District (EPA ID: CO0103723) is a community water system in Colorado that serves approximately 48,648 people from surface water sources.

This system provides water to 18 ZIP codes across 3 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: C (65/100)

Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.

Violation History

No violations recorded — This water system has no recorded EPA violations in the past 5 years.

Lead & Copper

EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
80120 0.005 mg/L No N/A
80122 0.005 mg/L No N/A
80123 0.005 mg/L No N/A
80125 0.005 mg/L No N/A
80127 0.005 mg/L No N/A
80128 0.005 mg/L No N/A
80129 0.005 mg/L No N/A
80130 0.005 mg/L No N/A
80160 0.005 mg/L No N/A
80161 0.005 mg/L No N/A
80162 0.005 mg/L No N/A
80163 0.005 mg/L No N/A
80165 0.005 mg/L No N/A
80166 0.005 mg/L No N/A

Radon Risk in Service Area

Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 1 (High Risk)

The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.

Need help with your water quality?

Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400

Find the Right Water Filter

Free tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.

ZIP Codes Served

Coverage: 6 ZIP codes confirmed via EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 plus 12 additional ZIPs inferred from SDWIS registry data. The EPA-confirmed set is the most reliable; SDWIS-inferred entries may be narrower than the real deployment area.

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Southwest Metropolitan Water Supply District (CO0103723) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Southwest Metropolitan Water Supply District water safe to drink?

Based on EPA records, Southwest Metropolitan Water Supply District has no recorded violations in the past 5 years — a positive indicator of water quality management.

How many people does Southwest Metropolitan Water Supply District serve?

Southwest Metropolitan Water Supply District serves approximately 48,648 people across 18 ZIP codes in Colorado.

Where does Southwest Metropolitan Water Supply District get its water?

The primary water source is surface water.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from Southwest Metropolitan Water Supply District safe to drink?
Southwest Metropolitan Water Supply District has a C safety grade based on 0 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
Should I use a water filter?
Southwest Metropolitan Water Supply District meets EPA standards, but a water filter can reduce trace contaminants below detectable levels for added peace of mind.
How many people does Southwest Metropolitan Water Supply District serve?
Southwest Metropolitan Water Supply District serves approximately 48,648 people with drinking water across 18 ZIP codes.
What is Southwest Metropolitan Water Supply District's water source?
Southwest Metropolitan Water Supply District draws water from surface water sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Southwest Metropolitan Water Supply District's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.005 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Southwest Metropolitan Water Supply District's service area?
The Southwest Metropolitan Water Supply District service area has a median household income of $131,531. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Southwest Metropolitan Water Supply District get its water?
Southwest Metropolitan Water Supply District's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap. Based on available data, the source contamination risk is moderate.

What You Can Do

1

Test your water

Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →

2

Check your specific ZIP code

Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →

3

Contact your utility

Southwest Metropolitan Water Supply District (EPA ID: CO0103723) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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