BRISTOL, Colorado Tap Water Quality

151 people served · 1 water system

Failing

BRISTOL, Colorado is a rural community with 151 residents served by a single public water system. Water service covers ZIP code 81047.

BRISTOL has accumulated a significant number of EPA health-based violations. Reviewing the contaminants involved, requesting your utility's Consumer Confidence Report, and using certified point-of-use filtration is strongly advisable.

EPA reporting identifies Radium and Coliform Bacteria among the regulated contaminants associated with BRISTOL's recent health-based violations. Each contaminant has different sources, health implications, and recommended mitigation steps — links to the full EPA reference for each are listed alongside the violation history below.

Last updated: 2026-05-18 · Source: EPA SDWIS

Location

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Centered on ZIP-code centroids of water systems serving this city.

ZIP Codes Served

81047

Health-Based Violations (Last 5 Years)

EPA Maximum Contaminant Level exceedances reported by water systems serving BRISTOL. Each entry explains the contaminant, the health risk, and recommended precautions, and links to a full guide.

Radiumradiological

EPA Code 4010 · Maximum Contaminant Level Exceedance

violations

EPA Limit

5 pCi/L

Last Reading

6 PCI/L

First Reported

Apr 2021

Most Recent

Jan 2026

What this violation means

Radium-226 and Radium-228 occur naturally in groundwater, particularly in regions with granite or sandstone aquifers. Long-term ingestion increases the risk of bone, sinus, and other cancers because radium concentrates in bone tissue.

Recommended precautions

→Reverse osmosis and ion exchange (water softeners) remove radium.
→Boiling does NOT remove radium and may concentrate it.
→Private well users in radium-rich geology should test every 3–5 years.

Read the complete guide to Radium

Coliform Bacteriamicrobial

EPA Code 0400 · Treatment Technique Violation

violations

EPA Limit

0 per 100 mL presence/absence

Last Reading

—

First Reported

Jan 2022

Most Recent

Mar 2022

What this violation means

Total coliform bacteria are themselves usually harmless, but their presence signals that the water distribution system has a vulnerability — typically a cracked pipe, loss of pressure, or back-siphonage — that could allow disease-causing pathogens to enter. Repeated coliform-positive samples trigger mandatory utility investigation.

Recommended precautions

→If your utility issues a boil-water advisory, boil all drinking and cooking water for at least one minute.
→Use bottled water until the advisory is lifted.
→Ice from icemakers and beverages made before the advisory should be discarded.
→UV light and chlorination both kill coliform bacteria — most home filters do not.

Read the complete guide to Coliform Bacteria

Source: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). Health-based violations only. Older violations may have been resolved; check your utility's most recent Consumer Confidence Report for current status.

Water Systems Serving BRISTOL

BRISTOL WSD

PWSID: CO0150200

151 served

26 violations

What Can You Do?

✅ Request your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) — required by law.
✅ Use an NSF-certified water filter if violations involve lead, arsenic, or PFAS.
✅ Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking if you have older plumbing (reduces lead).
✅ Check back monthly — we update data from the EPA every 30 days.

About this data

This overview reflects EPA SDWIS data published as of 2026-05-18. It covers active Community Water Systems (CWS) that exceeded federal Maximum Contaminant Levels during the past five-year EPA reporting window. For up-to-the-minute information, request a current Consumer Confidence Report from your utility, or review the EPA's public dashboard.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is BRISTOL, Colorado tap water safe to drink?▼

This city's water had numerous EPA violations in the last 5 years. Consider filtered water.

How many EPA violations does BRISTOL have?▼

BRISTOL has 26 EPA health-based water violations in the last 5 years across 1 water system serving 151 people.

What contaminants have been found in BRISTOL water?▼

The following EPA-regulated contaminants have been detected: 4010, 0400. View details about each contaminant, health effects, and recommended precautions above in the violations table.

Should I use a water filter in BRISTOL?▼

Using an NSF-certified water filter is recommended if your area has violations involving lead, arsenic, or PFAS. For other contaminants, consult your local water utility. Check the annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) for detailed guidance.

What should I do if there are violations in BRISTOL?▼

Request your water utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), which is required by the EPA. Follow the utility's guidance on boil water advisories. Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking if you have older plumbing. Use an NSF-certified filter if needed based on your water system's violations.