Monitoring Violations CO

Merino Town of

EPA ID: CO0138025 · 235 people served · 2 ZIP codes

The five-year EPA compliance file for Merino Town of contains 3 violations, each documented and subsequently closed — the utility now operates in full compliance and continues to supply approximately 235 residents with water meeting current federal standards, including both health-based and monitoring requirements.

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

C · 61
Avg Safety Score
235
People Served
2
ZIP Codes Served
3
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.002 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
3
Contaminants Flagged
$443K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Merino Town of Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$59,250
Median Household Income
1,198
Service Area Population
38%
Disadvantaged Population
70th
Poverty Percentile
70th
Energy Burden Percentile
49%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Merino Town of serves a community with a median household income of $59,250 and an estimated 1,198 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.

Environmental Justice Note: 38% 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?

Groundwater

Merino Town of's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table.

Low Risk
Source Contamination Risk
80th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
10th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 2% of homes in Morgan County, Colorado rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.

Wastewater Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 80th percentile nationally for proximity to wastewater discharge points.

Infrastructure Risk

35 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
36 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Stable
Decay Status
Installed 49% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Merino Town of compares to EPA limits

What This Means For You

Surface Water Treatment Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Revised Total Coliform Rule at 1 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Colorado

Eckley Town of
235 people
C 18 violations
0 violations
East Valley Md
230 people
0 violations
Ward Town of
230 people
C 4 violations
Sugar City Town of
240 people
C 5 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance Radon Mitigation
Flood Insurance $1,500
Radon Mitigation $1,200
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 $500

Annual per household (CDC est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$2,500
10 years
$5,000
20 years
$10,000

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $2,700 (one-time) vs. $5,000 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

MERINO TOWN OF (EPA ID: CO0138025) is a community water system in Colorado that serves approximately 235 people from groundwater sources.

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

Average Home Safety Score: C (61/100)

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

Violation History

3 monitoring/reporting violations recorded. These are procedural violations (missed tests or late reports), not necessarily water safety issues.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
August 1, 2023 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Resolved
July 1, 2023 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
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Failure 1 No
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting Failure 1 No
Revised Total Coliform Rule Microbiological 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
80653 0.002 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

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Merino Town of (CO0138025) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Merino Town of water safe to drink?

Merino Town of has only monitoring/reporting violations, which are procedural in nature. The system meets federal health-based standards.

How many people does Merino Town of serve?

Merino Town of serves approximately 235 people across 2 ZIP codes in Colorado.

Where does Merino Town of get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

Lead Service Line Inventory

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

0
Confirmed Lead
5
Galvanized — Replacement Required
0
Unknown Material
157
Confirmed Non-Lead

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: 235
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 Merino Town of safe to drink?
Merino Town of has a C safety grade based on 3 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Merino Town of's water?
Detected contaminants include Surface Water Treatment Rule, Consumer Confidence Report Rule, Revised Total Coliform Rule. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 3 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 Merino Town of serve?
Merino Town of serves approximately 235 people with drinking water across 2 ZIP codes.
What is Merino Town of's water source?
Merino Town of draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Merino Town of's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.002 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Merino Town of's service area?
The Merino Town of service area has a median household income of $59,250. EPA EJScreen data classifies 38% of the population as disadvantaged, which may indicate greater vulnerability to environmental health risks.
Where does Merino Town of get its water?
Merino Town of's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table.

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

Merino Town of (EPA ID: CO0138025) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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