Health Violations Found CO 18 HEALTH VIOLATIONS

May Valley Water Authority

EPA ID: CO0150800 · 1,500 people served · 2 ZIP codes

Federal compliance records for May Valley Water Authority list 22 open violations that have not yet been resolved — the utility serves approximately 1,500 people, and each outstanding finding remains logged and active in the EPA enforcement database.

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

D · 43
Avg Safety Score
1,500
People Served
2
ZIP Codes Served
30
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.002 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
6
Contaminants Flagged
$230K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Compliance Trajectory

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

Violations went from 14 (2024) to 16 (2025). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.

Service Area Map

Coverage area for May Valley Water Authority Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade D

Service Area Demographics

$65,502
Median Household Income
1,239
Service Area Population
80%
Disadvantaged Population
75th
Poverty Percentile
85th
Energy Burden Percentile
67%
Pre-1986 Housing

The May Valley Water Authority serves a community with a median household income of $65,502 and an estimated 1,239 residents across its service area. Approximately 67% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

Environmental Justice Note: 80% 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

May Valley Water Authority'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.

Elevated Risk
Source Contamination Risk
60th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
0th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 4% of homes in Bent 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 60th percentile nationally for proximity to wastewater discharge points.

Infrastructure Risk

46 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
25 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 65% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How May Valley Water Authority compares to EPA limits

Lead 1 mg/L (action level) (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.015 mg/L (action level)
Brain damage in children, kidney & blood pressure in adults
Gross Beta 12 pCi/L (24% of limit)
0 EPA Limit: 50 pCi/L

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.

Gross Alpha at 10 pCi/L exceeds the EPA maximum of pCi/L. Increased cancer risk from radioactive particles. Consider reverse osmosis filtration.

Lead and Copper Rule at 5 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

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

Lead was detected in this water system. reverse osmosis filtration can reduce exposure.

Find a certified water filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Colorado

0 violations
Redwood Estates
1,500 people
0 violations
Hillcrest Village Mhp
1,505 people
0 violations
Poncha Springs Town of
1,467 people
D 0 violations
City of Ouray
1,460 people
0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Radon Mitigation Flood Insurance Water Filtration
Radon Mitigation $1,200
Flood Insurance $600
Water Filtration $300
Total Estimated Cost $2,100

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 Property Value Decline $11,505

5% of median home value (EPA est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$13,255
10 years
$26,510
20 years
$53,020

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $2,100 (one-time) vs. $26,510 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

MAY VALLEY WA (EPA ID: CO0150800) is a community water system in Colorado that serves approximately 1,500 people from groundwater sources.

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

Average Home Safety Score: D (43/100)

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

Violation History

18 health-based violations recorded in the past 5 years. 22 remain unresolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
April 1, 2025 Gross Beta Health-based Unresolved
January 1, 2025 Gross Beta Health-based Unresolved
October 1, 2024 Gross Beta Health-based Unresolved
July 1, 2024 Gross Beta Health-based Unresolved
April 1, 2024 Gross Alpha Health-based Unresolved
April 1, 2024 Gross Beta Monitoring Resolved
January 1, 2024 Gross Beta Health-based Unresolved
January 1, 2024 Gross Beta Monitoring Resolved
October 6, 2023 Total Coliform Monitoring Resolved
October 1, 2023 Gross Beta Monitoring Unresolved
October 1, 2023 Gross Alpha Health-based Unresolved
July 1, 2023 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Resolved
July 1, 2023 Gross Beta Monitoring Unresolved
July 1, 2023 Gross Alpha Health-based Unresolved
April 1, 2023 Gross Alpha Health-based Unresolved
April 1, 2023 Combined Radium Monitoring Unresolved
April 1, 2023 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Resolved
January 1, 2023 Gross Alpha Health-based Unresolved
January 1, 2023 Lead Monitoring Unresolved
January 1, 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
Gross Beta Radionuclides 12 Yes
Gross Alpha Radionuclides 10 Yes
Lead and Copper Rule Treatment Failure 5 No
Lead Inorganic 1 No
Total Coliform Microbiological 1 No
Combined Radium Radionuclides 1 No

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 →

Lead & Copper

EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
81092 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 May Valley Water Authority (CO0150800) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is May Valley Water Authority water safe to drink?

May Valley Water Authority has recorded 18 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 May Valley Water Authority serve?

May Valley Water Authority serves approximately 1,500 people across 2 ZIP codes in Colorado.

Where does May Valley Water Authority 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
4
Galvanized — Replacement Required
409
Unknown Material
216
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 2023-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 1,500
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 May Valley Water Authority safe to drink?
May Valley Water Authority has a D safety grade based on 30 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in May Valley Water Authority's water?
Detected contaminants include Lead, Gross Alpha, Lead and Copper Rule, Total Coliform. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 4 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 May Valley Water Authority serve?
May Valley Water Authority serves approximately 1,500 people with drinking water across 2 ZIP codes.
What is May Valley Water Authority's water source?
May Valley Water Authority draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in May Valley Water Authority'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 May Valley Water Authority's service area?
The May Valley Water Authority service area has a median household income of $65,502. EPA EJScreen data classifies 80% of the population as disadvantaged, which may indicate greater vulnerability to environmental health risks.
Where does May Valley Water Authority get its water?
May Valley Water Authority'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. 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

May Valley Water Authority (EPA ID: CO0150800) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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