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Official EPA SDWIS Verified ReportWater Quality & Testing GuideHistorical Record: No Recorded SDWIS Violations

ZIP Code 80012 Water Quality & Testing Report

Aurora, CO ยท Arapahoe County County ยท Updated for 2026

Public Health & Medical Notice: Drinking water quality data on this page reflects historical compliance records submitted under the Safe Drinking Water Act. This information does not constitute medical advice or a real-time safety guarantee. If you are pregnant, nursing, preparing infant formula, or immunocompromised, consult a healthcare provider. Boiling water kills biological pathogens, but does NOT remove chemical contaminants like lead, arsenic, or PFAS.
Quick EPA Verified Answer

Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in ZIP 80012 (Aurora, CO)?

Caution / Filtration Recommended: Tap water in ZIP code 80012 (Aurora, CO) has compliance concerns, earning an EPA Safety Grade of D (51/100) due to 0 health violation(s) and 2.5 ppb lead. While treated by City of Aurora, residents are advised to use an NSF/ANSI 53 certified water filter for drinking and cooking.

Safety Score
D

Water Safety Grade

Poor โ€” Multiple violations recorded

Health Violations

0

Total Violations

12

Lead Risk

High

Contaminants

0

About Tap Water in ZIP Code 80012

Tap water in ZIP code 80012 (Aurora, CO) is distributed by City of Aurora (EPA ID: CO0103005), serving approximately 533,407 residents. Based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Act compliance records, this system receives a water safety grade of D with a composite quality score of 51/100.

Water System

City of Aurora

EPA ID: CO0103005

Water Source

Surface Water

Population Served

533,407 residents

County

Arapahoe County County, Colorado

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Lead Levels in ZIP 80012

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

Lead Level: 2.5 ppb โ€” Very Low

The 90th percentile lead level in 80012 is 2.5 ppb. This meets the EPA action level of 15 ppb. Health experts recommend a target of 0 ppb for optimal safety.

Lead exposure risk in 80012 is rated High. EPA models estimate a 55% exposure probability based on housing and infrastructure age.

Lead Level (90th percentile)
2.50 ppb (0.0025 mg/L)
Lead (Consumer Confidence Report)

From annual CCR filing

1.3 ppb
Copper (Consumer Confidence Report)

From annual CCR filing

0.1 ppb
Lead Exposure Risk Rating
High
Lead Exposure Probability

EPA model estimate based on housing age and infrastructure

55%
Note: Lead levels above are the 90th percentile from EPA monitoring โ€” 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.
๐Ÿชจ

Water Hardness & Mineral Content

Grains per gallon (GPG) & Parts per million (PPM / mg/L)

Classification: Very Hard10.8 GPG ยท 185 mg/L

Water in ZIP 80012 is Very Hard (185 mg/L / 10.8 GPG). High concentrations of dissolved limestone minerals cause severe mineral buildup, stiff laundry, dry skin, and premature water heater wear.

Recommendation: A whole-home water softener system is strongly recommended to protect plumbing and home appliances.
Hardness (GPG)

Grains per gallon

10.8 GPG
Hardness (PPM / mg/L)

Parts per million CaCO3

185 mg/L
Appliance Scaling Risk
High / Severe

Official EPA SDWIS Database Entry

Utility: City of Aurora ยท PWSID: CO0103005

Verify on EPA.gov
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Violation History

Past 5 years โ€” EPA SDWIS data

City of Aurora has recorded 12 violations, but none are health-based (e.g., administrative or monitoring infractions). 6 violations remain unresolved in EPA tracking records.

Total Violations (5 yr)
12
Health-Based Violations
0
Unresolved Violations
6
Boil Water Advisories
0
Compliance Risk
High

Regulatory compliance risk for this utility is rated High based on past reporting and enforcement records.

โš—๏ธ

Contaminants Detected

Contaminants with health-based violations on record

No health-based contaminant violations are on record for ZIP code 80012 under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

From Consumer Confidence Report:

pH (8.1 SU)

โš– Enforcement Actions

EPA or state regulators have issued 10 enforcement actions to address compliance lapses.
๐ŸŒŠ

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
CCR Source Classification
Surface water from reservoirs (Aurora, Henry/Meredith, Homestake, Jefferson, Pueblo, Quincy, Rampart, Spinney Mountain, Strontia Springs, Turquoise, Twin Lakes) and groundwater wells (North Campus wells, Cherry Creek wells); water from Arkansas, Colorado, and South Platte river basins
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 โ€” indicator of older infrastructure

2.42%

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

Water Quality Testing in ZIP 80012

Tap Water & Well Testing Recommendations

Residents in ZIP code 80012 served by City of Aurora can test tap water or private well systems to verify water purity. Testing detects hidden contaminants before they impact family health.

Tap Water Testing Steps

  • 1.Conduct a certified lead check if your home was constructed before 1986.
  • 2.Use certified lab testing kits rather than uncalibrated test strips for regulated compliance.
  • 3.Sample water from both your kitchen faucet and water heater to compare line purity.

Private Well Testing Steps

  • โ€ขTest for Coliform bacteria and Nitrates annually.
  • โ€ขTest for heavy metals, radon, and PFAS every 3 years.
  • โ€ขSend samples to a state-certified drinking water laboratory recognized by Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
Certified Lab Testing: Always use an EPA-certified drinking water laboratory in CO for formal legal or real estate compliance testing.

๐Ÿ›ก What Should You Do? โ€” ZIP 80012 Recommendations

  • ๐Ÿšจ Install a certified NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 (reverse osmosis) filter immediately for drinking and cooking
  • ๐Ÿšจ Do not give unfiltered water to children, pregnant women, or immunocompromised individuals
  • ๐Ÿšจ Contact City of Aurora to request the current violation status and corrective action plan
  • ๐Ÿšจ Report concerns to your state environmental agency or call the EPA hotline: 1-800-426-4791
  • ๐Ÿšจ Consider having your home's tap water independently tested by a certified lab

Recommended Water Treatment Systems:

REQUIRED FOR SAFETY
๐Ÿบ

NSF 53 Lead Pitcher Filter

Certified to remove lead. Recommended for immediate protection.

Lead Filter Guide โ†’
STRONGLY RECOMMENDED
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NSF 58 Under-Sink RO System

Reverse Osmosis system certified to remove PFAS, heavy metals, and viruses.

RO System Guide โ†’

Frequently Asked Questions โ€” ZIP 80012 Water Quality

Is tap water safe to drink in ZIP code 80012?+
Tap water in 80012 has a below-average safety grade of D due to compliance issues. We recommend using a certified water filter for drinking and cooking.
How do I get my water tested in ZIP 80012 (Aurora, CO)?+
To test water quality in ZIP 80012, you can order a certified drinking water test kit or send water samples to an EPA/NELAP certified laboratory in CO. Certified testing checks for lead, coliform bacteria, nitrates, hardness, and PFAS that standard test strips miss. Contact Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment for a list of certified regional labs.
How hard is the tap water in 80012?+
Tap water in 80012 is classified as Very Hard with an estimated mineral hardness of 185 mg/L (10.8 GPG). A whole-home water softener system is strongly recommended to protect plumbing and home appliances.
Should I test private well water in 80012?+
Yes. Unlike municipal systems, private wells in 80012 are not regulated by the EPA or local utilities. Private well owners should test their water annually for coliform bacteria and nitrates, and every 3 to 5 years for heavy metals (lead, arsenic) and volatile organic compounds.
What is the lead level in 80012 tap water?+
The 90th percentile lead level in 80012 is 2.5 ppb. The EPA action level is 15 ppb. This is below the EPA action level.
Is there an active boil water notice in 80012?+
There are currently no active boil water advisories on record for 80012. Water treatment systems are operating within normal parameters.
Who provides tap water to 80012?+
Tap water in ZIP code 80012 is provided by City of Aurora (EPA ID: CO0103005), serving approximately 533,407 residents.
What water filter should I use in 80012?+
Based on water metrics for 80012, we recommend Lead & Microplastic Filter. Look for certifications such as NSF/ANSI 53 (Lead Reduction), NSF/ANSI 42 (Particulate/Taste).

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for ZIP code 80012 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 City of Aurora. 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 โ†’