Health Violations Found CO 3 HEALTH VIOLATIONS

La Plata Archuleta Water District

EPA ID: CO0134191 · 510 people served · 1 ZIP code

Current EPA status: La Plata Archuleta Water District, 12 open violations, 510 people served.

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

C · 62
Avg Safety Score
510
People Served
1
ZIP Code Served
20
Violations (5yr)
Surface Water
Water Source
0.0008 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
9
Contaminants Flagged
$310K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Compliance Trajectory

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

Violations went from 1 (2021) to 1 (2025). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.

Service Area Map

Coverage area for La Plata Archuleta Water District Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$64,226
Median Household Income
5,662
Service Area Population
20%
Disadvantaged Population
30th
Poverty Percentile
50th
Energy Burden Percentile
49%
Pre-1986 Housing

The La Plata Archuleta Water District serves a community with a median household income of $64,226 and an estimated 5,662 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

La Plata Archuleta 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
20th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
10th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in La Plata 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

43 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
27 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 61% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How La Plata Archuleta Water District compares to EPA limits

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) 3 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.08 mg/L
Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns

What This Means For You

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) at 3 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.08 mg/L. Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.

Surface Water Treatment Rule at 3 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 3 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Lead and Copper Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

E. coli at 2 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.

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) 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

Granada Town of
515 people
D 29 violations
0 violations
Saguache Town of
504 people
C 4 violations
Rockvale Town of
504 people
C 6 violations
0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Radon Mitigation Water Filtration
Radon Mitigation $1,200
Water Filtration $600
Total Estimated Cost $1,800

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 Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$7,500
10 years
$15,000
20 years
$30,000

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $1,800 (one-time) vs. $15,000 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

La Plata Archuleta Water District (EPA ID: CO0134191) is a community water system in Colorado that serves approximately 510 people from surface water sources.

This system serves ZIP code 81137 in Ignacio.

Average Home Safety Score: C (62/100)

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

Violation History

3 health-based violations recorded in the past 5 years. 12 remain unresolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
August 9, 2025 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Unresolved
August 1, 2025 E. coli Monitoring Unresolved
August 1, 2025 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Unresolved
July 2, 2025 Stage 2 DBP Rule Monitoring Unresolved
July 1, 2025 Chlorine residual Health-based Resolved
July 1, 2025 Surface Water Treatment Rule Monitoring Unresolved
July 1, 2025 Revised Total Coliform Rule Monitoring Unresolved
May 1, 2025 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Unresolved
May 1, 2025 E. coli Monitoring Unresolved
April 1, 2025 Revised Total Coliform Rule Monitoring Unresolved
January 1, 2025 Stage 1 DBP Rule Monitoring Unresolved
January 1, 2025 Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Monitoring Unresolved
November 1, 2024 Chlorine residual Health-based Resolved
July 1, 2024 Surface Water Treatment Rule Monitoring Resolved
April 1, 2024 Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Monitoring Resolved
June 28, 2023 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Resolved
April 15, 2023 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Resolved

Contaminants Detected

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

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Disinfection Byproducts 3 No
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Failure 3 No
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting Failure 3 No
Chlorine residual Disinfectant 3 Yes
Lead and Copper Rule Treatment Failure 2 No
E. coli Microbiological 2 No
Revised Total Coliform Rule Microbiological 2 No
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 1 No
Stage 2 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 1 No

Health Risk Details

Chlorine (Residual Disinfectant) (EPA limit: 4 mg/L (MRDL — Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level))

Irritation & DBP formation at high levels; protective at normal treatment levels At-risk groups: people with asthma or chemical sensitivities, kidney dialysis patients (water must be dechlorinated).

Removal methods: granular activated carbon (GAC), KDF media filter, carbon block filter. 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
81137 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 La Plata Archuleta Water District (CO0134191) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is La Plata Archuleta Water District water safe to drink?

La Plata Archuleta Water District has recorded 3 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 La Plata Archuleta Water District serve?

La Plata Archuleta Water District serves approximately 510 people across 1 ZIP code in Colorado.

Where does La Plata Archuleta 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
13
Unknown Material
243
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: 510
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 La Plata Archuleta Water District safe to drink?
La Plata Archuleta Water District has a C safety grade based on 20 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in La Plata Archuleta Water District's water?
Detected contaminants include Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM), Surface Water Treatment Rule, Consumer Confidence Report Rule, Lead and Copper 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 La Plata Archuleta Water District serve?
La Plata Archuleta Water District serves approximately 510 people with drinking water across 1 ZIP code.
What is La Plata Archuleta Water District's water source?
La Plata Archuleta Water District draws water from surface water sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in La Plata Archuleta Water District's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.0008 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of La Plata Archuleta Water District's service area?
The La Plata Archuleta Water District service area has a median household income of $64,226. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does La Plata Archuleta Water District get its water?
La Plata Archuleta 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

La Plata Archuleta Water District (EPA ID: CO0134191) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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