City of Sterling
EPA ID: CO0138045 · 15,100 people served · 2 ZIP codes
ZipCheckup's reading of EPA SDWIS for City of Sterling (CO0138045): 10 EPA violations in the last five years. While 10 violations did appear in City of Sterling's five-year monitoring record, none remain unresolved - the utility has returned to full compliance and continues to serve approximately 15,100 residents under all current EPA drinking water standards.
Data: EPA SDWIS
Service Area Map
Coverage area for City of Sterling Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary
Service Area Demographics
The City of Sterling serves a community with a median household income of $60,317 and an estimated 17,688 residents across its service area. Approximately 88% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
🌊 Where Does Your Water Come From?
City of Sterling'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.
Wastewater Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 80th percentile nationally for proximity to wastewater discharge points. Surface water sources near wastewater outfalls may face additional treatment challenges.
Infrastructure Risk
Detected Contaminants
How City of Sterling compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Contaminant 3015 at 3 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Stage 1 DBP Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Lead and Copper Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Coliform (TCR) at 2 0 positive samples allowed in most monthly sets (Revised Total Coliform Rule) exceeds the EPA maximum of 0 positive samples allowed in most monthly sets (Revised Total Coliform Rule). Gastrointestinal illness; indicator of system failure or contamination. Consider chlorine disinfection filtration.
Total Coliform at 1 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.
Coliform (TCR) was detected in this water system. chlorine disinfection filtration can reduce exposure.
Find a certified water filter →Comparable Water Systems
Similar-sized systems in Colorado
Estimated Remediation Costs
Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system
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.
System Overview
City of Sterling (EPA ID: CO0138045) is a community water system in Colorado that serves approximately 15,100 people from surface water sources.
This system provides water to 2 ZIP codes across 2 communities.
Violation History
Status breakdown for accepted records with record years 2021-2026: 10 resolved, 0 archived, 0 addressed, and 0 unaddressed. Under this source contract, current noncompliance is the sum of addressed and unaddressed records. Archived and resolved records are excluded from current noncompliance.
Recent Violations
| Date | Contaminant | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 1, 2023 | Coliform (TCR) | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| August 1, 2023 | Total Coliform | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| August 1, 2023 | Contaminant 3015 | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| July 1, 2023 | Coliform (TCR) | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| June 1, 2023 | Contaminant 3015 | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| May 1, 2023 | Contaminant 3015 | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| October 1, 2022 | Stage 1 DBP Rule | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| July 1, 2022 | Stage 1 DBP Rule | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| April 5, 2021 | Lead and Copper Rule | Non-health-based | Resolved |
| January 5, 2021 | Lead and Copper Rule | Non-health-based | Resolved |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contaminant 3015 | Other Violation | 3 | No |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Failure | 2 | No |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Failure | 2 | No |
| Coliform (TCR) | Microbiological | 2 | No |
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | 1 | No |
Lead & Copper
EPA Lead and Copper Rule evidence attributed directly to this water system:
| Lead Level | Exceeds Action Level | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|
| 0 mg/L | No | N/A |
No copper action-level exceedance record appears for this PWSID in the accepted LCR snapshot. This does not establish a clean copper measurement.
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 FilterFree 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 Sterling (CO0138045) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is City of Sterling water safe to drink?
The accepted 2026Q2 ECHO snapshot shows no current noncompliance for City of Sterling; its 10 accepted 2021-2026 records are resolved or archived. Historical compliance status does not establish conditions at a specific tap.
How many people does City of Sterling serve?
City of Sterling serves approximately 15,100 people across 2 ZIP codes in Colorado.
Where does City of Sterling get its water?
The primary water source is surface water.
Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Tested Clean
This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). No PFAS compounds were detected.
Current MCL reflects the lowest state-enforceable limit (NYS 10 ppt for PFOA/PFOS, effective August 2020). The federal final MCL of 4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS (EPA April 2024 rule) is not enforceable until April 2029. Detections above 4 ppt but below 10 ppt are below current MCL but above the future federal limit.
Source: U.S. EPA UCMR5 (Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 5th cycle) — per-system federal sampling, 2023–2025. EPA UCMR5 monitoring program →
How Water Systems Appear in Rankings
Water systems are evaluated by violation history, contaminant detections, and service population. Larger systems with more service connections appear in more rankings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to cite this page
ZipCheckup. (n.d.). City of Sterling (CO): 10 EPA Violations. https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/co0138045/
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url = {https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/co0138045/}
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What You Can Do
Test your water
Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →
Check your specific ZIP code
Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →
Contact your utility
City of Sterling (EPA ID: CO0138045) - request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.