City of Sterling
EPA ID: CO0138045 · 15,100 people served · 3 ZIP codes
While 9 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 Last verified: 2026-04-02
Service Area Map
Coverage area for City of Sterling Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade D
Service Area Demographics
The City of Sterling serves a community with a median household income of $71,413 and an estimated 18,558 residents across its service area. Approximately 80% 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.
About 1% of homes in Logan 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. 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.
Total Organic Carbon at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Coliform (TCR) at 1 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.
Coliform (TCR) was detected in this water system. chlorine disinfection filtration can reduce exposure.
Find a certified water filter →Comparable Water Systems
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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
STERLING CITY OF (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 3 ZIP codes across 3 communities.
Average Home Safety Score: D (54/100)
Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.
Violation History
Recent Violations
| Date | Contaminant | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 1, 2023 | Contaminant 3015 | Monitoring | Resolved |
| July 1, 2023 | Coliform (TCR) | Monitoring | Resolved |
| June 1, 2023 | Contaminant 3015 | Monitoring | Resolved |
| May 1, 2023 | Contaminant 3015 | Monitoring | 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 |
| Total Organic Carbon | Disinfection Byproducts | 1 | No |
| Coliform (TCR) | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80751 | 0.001 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 FilterFree tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.
ZIP Codes Served
Coverage: 2 ZIP codes confirmed via EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 plus 1 additional ZIP inferred from SDWIS registry data. The EPA-confirmed set is the most reliable; SDWIS-inferred entries may be narrower than the real deployment area.
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?
City of Sterling has only monitoring/reporting violations, which are procedural in nature. The system meets federal health-based standards.
How many people does City of Sterling serve?
City of Sterling serves approximately 15,100 people across 3 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 →
Lead Service Line Inventory
Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:
Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.
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.
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
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.