WALSH, Colorado Tap Water Quality

650 people served · 1 water system

Failing

WALSH, Colorado is a rural community with 650 residents served by a single public water system. Water service covers ZIP code 81090.

WALSH 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 Nitrate among the regulated contaminants associated with WALSH'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

81090

Health-Based Violations (Last 5 Years)

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

Nitratechemical

EPA Code 1040 · Maximum Contaminant Level Exceedance

violations

EPA Limit

10 mg/L

Last Reading

11.3 MG/L

First Reported

Oct 2022

Most Recent

Oct 2025

What this violation means

Nitrate contamination is most acute in agricultural regions where fertilizer and animal waste leach into groundwater. The immediate risk is to formula-fed infants under 6 months — high nitrate levels prevent their blood from carrying oxygen, causing 'blue baby syndrome.' Pregnant women should also avoid high-nitrate water.

Recommended precautions

→Never give untreated high-nitrate water to infants — use bottled water for formula.
→Boiling does NOT remove nitrate. Boiling concentrates it.
→Reverse osmosis, ion exchange, or distillation are the only effective home treatments.
→Private well owners in farming areas should test annually for nitrate.

Read the complete guide to Nitrate

Radiumradiological

EPA Code 4010 · Maximum Contaminant Level Exceedance

violations

EPA Limit

5 pCi/L

Last Reading

6 PCI/L

First Reported

Jul 2021

Most Recent

Jul 2025

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

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 WALSH

WALSH TOWN OF

PWSID: CO0105900

650 served

58 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 WALSH, 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 WALSH have?▼

WALSH has 58 EPA health-based water violations in the last 5 years across 1 water system serving 650 people.

What contaminants have been found in WALSH water?▼

The following EPA-regulated contaminants have been detected: 4010, 1040. View details about each contaminant, health effects, and recommended precautions above in the violations table.

Should I use a water filter in WALSH?▼

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 WALSH?▼

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.