Health Violations Found CO 1 HEALTH VIOLATION

Buffalo Creek Water District

EPA ID: CO0130015 · 125 people served · 1 ZIP code

EPA compliance records for Buffalo Creek Water District show 1 unresolved violation — findings that remain open and are tracked at the federal level, covering a service territory of approximately 125 people.

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

C · 69
Avg Safety Score
125
People Served
1
ZIP Code Served
8
Violations (5yr)
Surface Water
Water Source
0.003 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
4
Contaminants Flagged
$509K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Buffalo Creek Water District Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$80,125
Median Household Income
325
Service Area Population
4%
Disadvantaged Population
30th
Poverty Percentile
10th
Energy Burden Percentile
49%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Buffalo Creek Water District serves a community with a median household income of $80,125 and an estimated 325 residents across its service area. Approximately 49% 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

Buffalo Creek Water 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.

Elevated Risk
Source Contamination Risk
40th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
70th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Jefferson 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 70th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites.

Infrastructure Risk

27 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
43 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Stable
Decay Status
Installed 39% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Buffalo Creek Water District compares to EPA limits

Lead 1 mg/L (action level) (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.015 mg/L (action level)
Brain damage in children, kidney & blood pressure in adults

What This Means For You

Lead at 1 mg/L (action level) exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.015 mg/L (action level). Brain damage in children, kidney & blood pressure in adults. Consider reverse osmosis filtration.

E. coli at 3 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 2 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.

Stage 1 DBP Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Lead was detected in this water system. reverse osmosis filtration can reduce exposure.

Find a certified water filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Colorado

Ramah Town of
125 people
C 8 violations
Vroman Wc
125 people
0 violations
Pritchett Town of
125 people
D 8 violations
0 violations
Pinyon Mesa Hoa
125 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 $300
Total Estimated Cost $2,700

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 $1,000

Annual per household (CDC est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$5,000
10 years
$10,000
20 years
$20,000

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $2,700 (one-time) vs. $10,000 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

Buffalo Creek Water District (EPA ID: CO0130015) is a community water system in Colorado that serves approximately 125 people from surface water sources.

This system serves ZIP code 80425 in Buffalo Creek.

Average Home Safety Score: C (69/100)

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

Violation History

1 health-based violation recorded in the past 5 years. 1 remains unresolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
July 1, 2025 Lead Monitoring Unresolved
May 1, 2023 Fecal Coliform Health-based Resolved

Contaminants Detected

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

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
E. coli Microbiological 3 No
Fecal Coliform Microbiological 2 Yes
Lead Inorganic 1 No
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 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
80425 0.003 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

  • 80425 — Buffalo Creek

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Buffalo Creek Water District (CO0130015) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Buffalo Creek Water District water safe to drink?

Buffalo Creek Water District has recorded 1 health-based violation 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 Buffalo Creek Water District serve?

Buffalo Creek Water District serves approximately 125 people across 1 ZIP code in Colorado.

Where does Buffalo Creek Water District 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
125
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 2025-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 125
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 Buffalo Creek Water District safe to drink?
Buffalo Creek Water District has a C safety grade based on 8 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Buffalo Creek Water District's water?
Detected contaminants include Lead, E. coli, Fecal Coliform, Stage 1 DBP Rule. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 4 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 Buffalo Creek Water District serve?
Buffalo Creek Water District serves approximately 125 people with drinking water across 1 ZIP code.
What is Buffalo Creek Water District's water source?
Buffalo Creek Water District draws water from surface water sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Buffalo Creek Water District'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 Buffalo Creek Water District's service area?
The Buffalo Creek Water District service area has a median household income of $80,125. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Buffalo Creek Water District get its water?
Buffalo Creek Water 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 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

Buffalo Creek Water District (EPA ID: CO0130015) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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