City of Rocky Ford
EPA ID: CO0145600 · 4,443 people served · 2 ZIP codes
Right now, City of Rocky Ford shows 23 EPA violations marked active and unresolved — the provider continues to supply approximately 4,443 residents while each finding awaits closure.
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02
Compliance Trajectory
Worsening · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months
Violations went from 8 (2024) to 22 (2025). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.
Service Area Map
Coverage area for City of Rocky Ford Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade D
Service Area Demographics
The City of Rocky Ford serves a community with a median household income of $54,051 and an estimated 15,364 residents across its service area. Approximately 83% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
Environmental Justice Note: 86% 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?
City of Rocky Ford'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.
About 1% of homes in Otero 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
Detected Contaminants
How City of Rocky Ford compares to EPA limits
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.
Lead and Copper Rule at 15 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Gross Alpha at 9 pCi/L exceeds the EPA maximum of pCi/L. Increased cancer risk from radioactive particles. Consider reverse osmosis filtration.
Stage 1 DBP Rule at 7 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Surface Water Treatment Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
PFAS Detected in Service Area
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 3 detections recorded. 1 exceeds federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS).
Lead was detected in this water system. reverse osmosis 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
City of Rocky Ford (EPA ID: CO0145600) is a community water system in Colorado that serves approximately 4,443 people from groundwater sources.
This system provides water to 2 ZIP codes across 2 communities.
Average Home Safety Score: D (45/100)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 1, 2025 | Stage 1 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| October 1, 2025 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| August 11, 2025 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| July 22, 2025 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| July 11, 2025 | Unknown | Monitoring | Resolved |
| July 1, 2025 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| July 1, 2025 | Gross Alpha | Health-based | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2025 | Gross Beta | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| May 23, 2025 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| April 1, 2025 | Stage 1 DBP Rule | Health-based | Unresolved |
| April 1, 2025 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| April 1, 2025 | Stage 1 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| April 1, 2025 | Gross Alpha | Health-based | Unresolved |
| April 1, 2025 | Combined Radium | Monitoring | Resolved |
| January 31, 2025 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| January 1, 2025 | Gross Alpha | Health-based | Unresolved |
| January 1, 2025 | Stage 1 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| December 1, 2024 | Stage 1 DBP Rule | Health-based | Resolved |
| December 1, 2024 | Stage 1 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 1, 2024 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Failure | 15 | No |
| Gross Beta | Radionuclides | 12 | Yes |
| Gross Alpha | Radionuclides | 9 | Yes |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Failure | 7 | Yes |
| Combined Radium | Radionuclides | 4 | No |
| Lead | Inorganic | 1 | No |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Failure | 1 | No |
| Chlorine residual | Disinfectant | 1 | Yes |
Health Risk Details
Gross Alpha Particle Activity (EPA limit: pCi/L)
Increased cancer risk from radioactive particles At-risk groups: long-term residents in areas with uranium or radium-rich geology, people on private wells in western US.
Removal methods: reverse osmosis, ion exchange (anion exchange for radium), lime softening. Find the right filter →
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 81067 | 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 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 Rocky Ford (CO0145600) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is City of Rocky Ford water safe to drink?
City of Rocky Ford has recorded 22 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 City of Rocky Ford serve?
City of Rocky Ford serves approximately 4,443 people across 2 ZIP codes in Colorado.
Where does City of Rocky Ford get its water?
The primary water source is groundwater.
Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Detected
This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). PFAS compounds were detected below the current state-enforceable MCL.
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:
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.
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 Rocky Ford (EPA ID: CO0145600) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.