Health Violations Found CO 7 HEALTH VIOLATIONS

Upper Surface Creek Domestic Wua

EPA ID: CO0115784 · 2,800 people served · 2 ZIP codes

Upper Surface Creek Domestic Wua's current EPA file includes 14 unresolved violations — every outstanding finding is documented in federal records for this utility, which supplies water to approximately 2,800 residents across its service territory.

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

C · 58
Avg Safety Score
2,800
People Served
2
ZIP Codes Served
92
Violations (5yr)
Surface Water
Water Source
0.003 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
15
Contaminants Flagged
$341K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Compliance Trajectory

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

Violations went from 4 (2022) to 2 (2026). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Upper Surface Creek Domestic Wua Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$57,292
Median Household Income
8,766
Service Area Population
71%
Disadvantaged Population
70th
Poverty Percentile
70th
Energy Burden Percentile
62%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Upper Surface Creek Domestic Wua serves a community with a median household income of $57,292 and an estimated 8,766 residents across its service area. Approximately 62% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

Environmental Justice Note: 71% of the population in this service area is classified as disadvantaged under EPA's EJScreen criteria. Communities with higher disadvantaged populations often face disproportionate environmental and health burdens, including aging water infrastructure and limited resources for remediation.

🌊 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Surface Water

Upper Surface Creek Domestic Wua'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.

Elevated Risk
Source Contamination Risk
50th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
10th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 3% of homes in Delta County, Colorado rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.

Infrastructure Risk

44 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
26 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 63% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Upper Surface Creek Domestic Wua compares to EPA limits

Atrazine 4 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.003 mg/L
Endocrine disruption, cardiovascular & reproductive effects
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) 5 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.08 mg/L
Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) 1 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.06 mg/L
Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects

What This Means For You

Atrazine at 4 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.003 mg/L. Endocrine disruption, cardiovascular & reproductive effects. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) at 5 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.08 mg/L. Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.

E. coli at 25 Zero tolerance (any positive sample triggers immediate action) exceeds the EPA maximum of Zero tolerance (any positive sample triggers immediate action). Severe GI illness; potentially fatal kidney failure in children. Consider UV disinfection (99.99%) filtration.

Fecal Coliform at 20 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.06 mg/L. Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.

Atrazine was detected in this water system. granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration can reduce exposure.

Find a certified water filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Colorado

City of Cripple Creek
2,817 people
0 violations
Colorado City Md
2,755 people
D 45 violations
Platteville Town of
2,900 people
B 1 violation
Palmer Lake Town of
2,686 people
C 31 violations
Buffalo Mountain Md
2,650 people
0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Radon Mitigation Water Filtration Flood Insurance
Radon Mitigation $1,200
Water Filtration $600
Flood Insurance $600
Total Estimated Cost $2,400

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:

Estimated Healthcare Costs $1,500

Annual per household (CDC est.)

Estimated Property Value Decline $17,050

5% of median home value (EPA est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$16,025
10 years
$32,050
20 years
$64,100

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $2,400 (one-time) vs. $32,050 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

Upper Surface Creek Domestic Wua (EPA ID: CO0115784) is a community water system in Colorado that serves approximately 2,800 people from surface water sources.

This system provides water to 2 ZIP codes across 2 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: C (58/100)

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

Violation History

7 health-based violations recorded in the past 5 years. 14 remain unresolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
September 5, 2025 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Unresolved
August 31, 2025 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Unresolved
August 1, 2025 E. coli Monitoring Resolved
August 1, 2025 Fecal Coliform Monitoring Resolved
July 1, 2025 E. coli Monitoring Resolved
July 1, 2025 Fecal Coliform Monitoring Resolved
July 1, 2025 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Health-based Resolved
July 1, 2025 Stage 1 DBP Rule Monitoring Unresolved
July 1, 2025 Stage 1 DBP Rule Health-based Unresolved
May 21, 2025 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Unresolved
April 12, 2025 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Unresolved
April 1, 2025 E. coli Monitoring Resolved
April 1, 2025 Fecal Coliform Monitoring Resolved
April 1, 2025 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Resolved
April 1, 2025 Revised Total Coliform Rule Monitoring Resolved
March 1, 2025 Stage 1 DBP Rule Health-based Resolved
February 21, 2025 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Unresolved
January 1, 2025 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Unresolved
January 1, 2025 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Resolved
January 1, 2025 E. coli Monitoring Resolved

Contaminants Detected

The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
E. coli Microbiological 25 No
Fecal Coliform Microbiological 20 No
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting Failure 9 Yes
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 8 Yes
Revised Total Coliform Rule Microbiological 6 No
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Disinfection Byproducts 5 Yes
Lead and Copper Rule Treatment Failure 5 No
Atrazine Organic 4 Yes
Total Coliform Microbiological 4 No
Total Organic Carbon Disinfection Byproducts 2 No
Stage 2 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 2 Yes
Contaminant 1008 Other Violation 1 No
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Disinfection Byproducts 1 No
Trichloroacetic Acid Disinfection Byproducts 1 No
Contaminant 0700 Other Violation 1 Yes

Health Risk Details

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) (EPA limit: 0.08 mg/L)

Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns At-risk groups: pregnant women, long-term consumers of chlorinated water, people who frequently shower in chlorinated water.

Removal methods: granular activated carbon (GAC), carbon block filter, point-of-entry aeration. Find the right filter →

Atrazine (EPA limit: 0.003 mg/L)

Endocrine disruption, cardiovascular & reproductive effects At-risk groups: pregnant women, people in agricultural areas, rural communities in the Midwest corn belt.

Removal methods: granular activated carbon (GAC), carbon block filter, reverse osmosis. Find the right filter →

Lead & Copper

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

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
81413 0.003 mg/L No N/A
81419 0.0008 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: Service area ZIP codes sourced from EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 (March 2026 release). These ZIPs reflect the actual deployment footprint recorded by CO or modeled from parcel and building-footprint data.

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Upper Surface Creek Domestic Wua (CO0115784) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Upper Surface Creek Domestic Wua water safe to drink?

Upper Surface Creek Domestic Wua has recorded 7 health-based violations in the past 5 years. While the system is required to treat water to meet federal standards, you may want to consider additional precautions such as a certified water filter.

How many people does Upper Surface Creek Domestic Wua serve?

Upper Surface Creek Domestic Wua serves approximately 2,800 people across 2 ZIP codes in Colorado.

Where does Upper Surface Creek Domestic Wua get its water?

The primary water source is surface water.

Lead Service Line Inventory

Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:

0
Confirmed Lead
0
Galvanized — Replacement Required
0
Unknown Material
967
Confirmed Non-Lead

This system reports zero confirmed lead service lines in its inventory. Unknown-material counts may still warrant verification.

Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.

Federal Regulatory Status · 2026Q1
LCRR inventory submission: Reported all required service line types
Latest tap sample on 2025-07-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 2,800
Reported to Colorado

Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Service Line Inventory (Phase 2) · Submitted 2026

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with the utility or state agency. Inventory figures render verbatim from the public LCRI submission cited above; ZipCheckup does not perform inspections or replacements.

Learn about lead in drinking water →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from Upper Surface Creek Domestic Wua safe to drink?
Upper Surface Creek Domestic Wua has a C safety grade based on 92 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Upper Surface Creek Domestic Wua's water?
Detected contaminants include Atrazine, Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM), E. coli, Fecal Coliform. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 5 contaminants above EPA limits, a certified water filter can provide an extra layer of protection. The best type depends on specific contaminants in your water.
How many people does Upper Surface Creek Domestic Wua serve?
Upper Surface Creek Domestic Wua serves approximately 2,800 people with drinking water across 2 ZIP codes.
What is Upper Surface Creek Domestic Wua's water source?
Upper Surface Creek Domestic Wua draws water from surface water sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Upper Surface Creek Domestic Wua's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.003 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Upper Surface Creek Domestic Wua's service area?
The Upper Surface Creek Domestic Wua service area has a median household income of $57,292. EPA EJScreen data classifies 71% of the population as disadvantaged, which may indicate greater vulnerability to environmental health risks.
Where does Upper Surface Creek Domestic Wua get its water?
Upper Surface Creek Domestic Wua'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 violation history and environmental factors, the source contamination risk is currently elevated.

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

Upper Surface Creek Domestic Wua (EPA ID: CO0115784) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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