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WaterSafeCheck

ZIP Code 81403 Water Quality Report

Montrose, CO · Montrose County County

Safety Score
C

Water Safety Grade

Fair — Some compliance concerns

Health Violations

0

Total Violations

1

Lead Risk

Moderate

Contaminants

0

About Tap Water in ZIP Code 81403

Tap water in ZIP code 81403 (Montrose, CO) receives a C grade (score: 60/100) based on EPA monitoring data. While the water from Tri County Wcd is treated and regulated, this area has a moderate violation history that residents should be aware of.

Water System

Tri County Wcd

EPA ID: CO0143755

Water Source

Surface Water

Population Served

20,490 residents

County

Montrose County County, Colorado

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Lead Levels in ZIP 81403

EPA action level: 15 ppb | Public health goal: 0 ppb

Lead Data Not Available

Lead testing data was not found in EPA records for ZIP code 81403. This may occur with very small systems or systems that report under a parent utility. Contact Tri County Wcd directly to request lead testing results or a copy of their Consumer Confidence Report.

Lead exposure risk in 81403 is rated Moderate. EPA models estimate a 32% probability of lead exposure risk in this ZIP code based on housing age, infrastructure age, and water system data. This may reflect a mix of older and newer housing stock and infrastructure. Families with young children should test their home's water and consider a certified NSF/ANSI 53 water filter.

Lead Exposure Risk Rating
Moderate
Lead Exposure Probability

EPA model estimate based on housing age and infrastructure

32%
Note: Lead levels above are the 90th percentile from EPA monitoring — meaning 90% of samples were at or below this level. Even "undetected" tap water lead doesn't account for lead leaching from home plumbing. If your home was built before 1986, individual tap testing is recommended.
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Violation History

Past 5 years — EPA SDWIS data

Tri County Wcd has recorded 1 violation, but none are health-based. Administrative or reporting violations don't directly indicate unsafe water, but they do signal gaps in documentation or monitoring procedures. 1 violation is currently unresolved — meaning the issue has not yet been formally corrected in EPA records. This is a serious concern that residents should follow up on with their water utility.

Total Violations (5 yr)
1
Health-Based Violations
0
Unresolved Violations
1
Boil Water Advisories
0
Compliance Risk
Moderate

Regulatory compliance risk is rated Moderate. Tri County Wcd has had occasional lapses in compliance but generally meets Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.

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Contaminants Detected

Contaminants with health-based violations on record

No health-based contaminant violations are on record for ZIP code 81403. This means EPA monitoring has not found levels of regulated contaminants exceeding the Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) set under the Safe Drinking Water Act — a positive indicator of water quality compliance.

⚖ Enforcement Actions

10 enforcement actions have been issued against Tri County Wcd — a high number that reflects sustained compliance struggles. Enforcement actions escalate from administrative orders to financial penalties when utilities repeatedly fail to meet safe drinking water standards.
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Water Source & Environmental Factors

Surface Water

This system draws water from lakes, rivers, or reservoirs. Surface water is treated to remove sediment, microorganisms, and chemical contaminants before reaching taps.

Water Source Type
Surface Water
EPA Radon Zone

Highest potential

Zone 1
Annual Flood Risk Cost

Estimated annual flood-related costs per property

$0
Energy Burden

% of household income spent on energy — indicator of older infrastructure

2.3%

EPA Radon Zone 1 — highest potential for radon in indoor air. Homeowners should test their home for radon and consider mitigation if levels exceed 4 pCi/L.

🛡 What Should You Do? — ZIP 81403 Recommendations

  • ⚠ Use a certified NSF/ANSI 53 filter for drinking and cooking water if you have young children
  • ⚠ Never give unfiltered tap water to infants in formula — use certified bottled or filtered water
  • ⚠ Request a copy of the Consumer Confidence Report to see what was detected and when
  • ⚠ Call the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline: 1-800-426-4791

Frequently Asked Questions — ZIP 81403 Water Quality

Is tap water safe to drink in ZIP code 81403?+
Tap water in 81403 (Montrose, CO) is treated and regulated, but has a grade of C due to past violations. For most healthy adults, treated tap water is generally safe. Families with infants, young children, or immunocompromised individuals may want to use a certified water filter as a precaution.
What is the lead level in 81403 tap water?+
Lead level data from EPA monitoring is not available for 81403. Contact Tri County Wcd directly for the most recent lead testing results.
Who provides tap water to 81403?+
Tap water in ZIP code 81403 is provided by Tri County Wcd (EPA ID: CO0143755). This system serves approximately 20,490 residents. You can contact them directly for Consumer Confidence Reports, current advisories, and billing information.
What is the water source for 81403?+
ZIP code 81403 is served by surface water. Surface water systems draw from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs and must meet strict EPA treatment requirements including filtration and disinfection.
Does 81403 have any active water quality violations?+
Yes — there are currently 1 unresolved violation on record for this water system. Unresolved violations indicate issues that have not yet been formally corrected in EPA tracking systems. Contact Tri County Wcd for the latest update.
How do I get a copy of my water quality report for 81403?+
Your water utility — Tri County Wcd — is required by law to send you an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) by July 1 each year. You can also request it directly from the utility or find it online by searching "Tri County Wcd Consumer Confidence Report." The EPA's ECHO database also has historical compliance data.
What water filter should I use in 81403?+
The right filter depends on what contaminants are present. For lead, look for a filter certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53. For chlorine byproducts (like THMs), NSF/ANSI 42 filters work well. For a broad range of contaminants including PFAS, look for NSF/ANSI 58 (reverse osmosis) systems. For ZIP code 81403, with a clean compliance record, a standard carbon block filter meeting NSF/ANSI 42 is a good choice for taste and as a precaution.
Is 81403 tap water safe for babies and infants?+
Infants are especially vulnerable to lead, nitrates, and microbial contaminants in drinking water. Current EPA data for 81403 shows no available lead data — we recommend using a certified NSF/ANSI 53 lead filter as a precaution for infant formula. Always consult your pediatrician for guidance specific to your child's health.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for ZIP code 81403 is compiled from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), EPA ECHO enforcement database, UCMR5 unregulated contaminant monitoring, and Consumer Confidence Reports filed by Tri County Wcd. Safety scores are composite metrics derived from violation history, lead levels, enforcement actions, and infrastructure risk indicators. Data reflects a 5-year monitoring window. Last dataset update: 2024. View EPA source data →