Health Violations Found CO 8 HEALTH VIOLATIONS

City of Walsenburg

EPA ID: CO0128900 · 3,230 people served · 1 ZIP code

Based on the latest federal compliance data, City of Walsenburg has 7 violations that the EPA has not yet closed — those outstanding findings are part of the enforcement record for a utility that delivers water to approximately 3,230 people throughout its service territory.

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

D · 44
Avg Safety Score
3,230
People Served
1
ZIP Code Served
43
Violations (5yr)
Surface Water
Water Source
0.011 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
9
Contaminants Flagged
$181K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Compliance Trajectory

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

Violations went from 4 (2021) to 1 (2024). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.

Service Area Map

Coverage area for City of Walsenburg Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade D

Service Area Demographics

$50,833
Median Household Income
4,810
Service Area Population
50%
Disadvantaged Population
70th
Poverty Percentile
90th
Energy Burden Percentile
64%
Pre-1986 Housing

The City of Walsenburg serves a community with a median household income of $50,833 and an estimated 4,810 residents across its service area. Approximately 64% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

Environmental Justice Note: 50% 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

City of Walsenburg'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
0th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
10th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 0% of homes in Huerfano 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

48 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
22 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 69% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How City of Walsenburg compares to EPA limits

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

Lead and Copper Rule at 18 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

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.

Fecal Coliform at 7 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.

Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 5 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Revised Total Coliform Rule at 4 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) 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

C 21 violations
Dillon Town of
3,254 people
C 8 violations
0 violations
Penrose Water District
3,149 people
C 2 violations
Hudson Town of
3,350 people
0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Radon Mitigation Flood Insurance Water Filtration
Radon Mitigation $1,200
Flood Insurance $1,200
Water Filtration $600
Total Estimated Cost $3,000

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 $9,040

5% of median home value (EPA est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$12,020
10 years
$24,040
20 years
$48,080

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $3,000 (one-time) vs. $24,040 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

City of Walsenburg (EPA ID: CO0128900) is a community water system in Colorado that serves approximately 3,230 people from surface water sources.

This system serves ZIP code 81089 in Walsenburg.

Average Home Safety Score: D (44/100)

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

Violation History

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

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
September 24, 2025 Unknown Monitoring Unresolved
September 24, 2025 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Unresolved
September 8, 2025 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Unresolved
July 4, 2025 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Resolved
July 1, 2025 Revised Total Coliform Rule Monitoring Resolved
April 4, 2025 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Resolved
April 3, 2025 Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Monitoring Resolved
March 8, 2025 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Resolved
January 4, 2025 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Resolved
January 1, 2025 Stage 1 DBP Rule Monitoring Unresolved
December 8, 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Resolved
October 17, 2024 Stage 2 DBP Rule Health-based Unresolved
October 17, 2024 Stage 2 DBP Rule Monitoring Unresolved
October 4, 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Resolved
October 1, 2024 Stage 1 DBP Rule Monitoring Resolved
September 13, 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Resolved
September 1, 2024 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Resolved
July 1, 2024 Revised Total Coliform Rule Monitoring Resolved
May 30, 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Resolved
April 1, 2024 Revised Total Coliform Rule Monitoring Resolved

Contaminants Detected

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

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Lead and Copper Rule Treatment Failure 18 No
Fecal Coliform Microbiological 7 Yes
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting Failure 5 No
Revised Total Coliform Rule Microbiological 4 No
Total Organic Carbon Disinfection Byproducts 2 No
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 2 No
Stage 2 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 2 Yes
Copper Inorganic 1 No
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Disinfection Byproducts 1 No

Lead & Copper

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

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
81089 0.011 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 City of Walsenburg (CO0128900) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is City of Walsenburg water safe to drink?

City of Walsenburg has recorded 8 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 City of Walsenburg serve?

City of Walsenburg serves approximately 3,230 people across 1 ZIP code in Colorado.

Where does City of Walsenburg get its water?

The primary water source is surface water.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from City of Walsenburg safe to drink?
City of Walsenburg has a D safety grade based on 43 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in City of Walsenburg's water?
Detected contaminants include Lead and Copper Rule, Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), Fecal Coliform, Consumer Confidence Report Rule. 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 City of Walsenburg serve?
City of Walsenburg serves approximately 3,230 people with drinking water across 1 ZIP code.
What is City of Walsenburg's water source?
City of Walsenburg draws water from surface water sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in City of Walsenburg's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.011 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of City of Walsenburg's service area?
The City of Walsenburg service area has a median household income of $50,833. EPA EJScreen data classifies 50% of the population as disadvantaged, which may indicate greater vulnerability to environmental health risks.
Where does City of Walsenburg get its water?
City of Walsenburg'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

City of Walsenburg (EPA ID: CO0128900) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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