WaterVerge

Is Byers, CO Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded A, with 3 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

1K residents served 1 water system PWSID: CO0103010
Overall Score
90.6 / 100
Violations
3 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#16 of 246 in Colorado Top 14% nationally
Local Government
High data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
AGRADE
Water Quality Grade
90.6/100
waterverge.com
A 90.6/100

Byers, CO — Water Quality Report

Byers's drinking water received a grade of A (90.6 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,000 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 1.0 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.

The system has 8 violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 3 remain unresolved.

Data last updated: May 2026 · Source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5
Analysis

What to know about Byers's water

Byers ranks #16 out of 246 cities in Colorado for water quality, placing it one of the best in the state.

Byers relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff.

As a small community water system, Byers may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
90.6 out of 100 Grade A
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
42.1/45
A
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 1.0 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
18.5/20
A
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
5/10
D
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Byers, CO water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Byers's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A (90.6/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,000 residents using groundwater (wells).

3
Active Violations
1.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
6 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Byers

A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Byers's water quality assessment. Grade: A (90.6/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS.

Disaster
SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, AND TORNADOES

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4731). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Disaster
SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4145). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).

Key contaminant findings

Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Byers's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 1.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Byers's water system has 8 total violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 3 remain unresolved. 1 violation was issued in the last 5 years.

RPTMCLMR
Most recent violations:
Jul 2025 LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS Open
Jan 2009 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
May 2006 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
Oct 2004 Lead and Copper Rule Open
Nov 2002 Coliform (TCR) Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Arapahoe County has experienced 6 federally declared disasters since 1969. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies.

SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, AND TORNADOES
Flood FEMA DR-4731
SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES
Flood FEMA DR-4145
SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES
Flood FEMA DR-3365

Where does Byers's water come from?

Byers's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,000 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.

What Byers residents can do

Install a water filter

Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Byers's water.

Request your utility's CCR

Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.

Monitor alerts during storms

Byers's area has a history of flooding. After severe weather, watch for boil water advisories from your local utility.

Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.

Contaminant Alerts

Top contaminants to know

View all ↓
Lead (90th percentile)
Inorganic / Heavy Metal
Safe
1.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 7% of limit
Safe Level
HAA5 (Disinfection Byproducts)
Disinfection Byproduct
Safe
8.5 µg/L
EPA MCL: 60 µg/L · 14% of limit
Within LimitUCMR 4 DataHAA6Br: 5.2 µg/LHAA9: 11.8 µg/L
Manganese
Inorganic
Detected
2.5 µg/L
EPA Secondary MCL: 50 µg/L · 5% of limit
DetectedUCMR 4 Data
Compliance Record

Violation summary

8
Total violations
3
Health-based
3
Active / unresolved
Jul 2025
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

8 Total
3 Active
3 Health-based
5 Resolved
Violations by category
Total Coliform Rule
5
Lead and Copper Rule Revisions
1
Lead and Copper Rule
1
Jul 2025 Active
LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS
Reporting
Reporting 0
Oct 2004 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Jan 2009 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Jan 2009
May 2006 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved May 2006
Nov 2002 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Nov 2002
Jun 2001 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Jun 2001
Mar 2000 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 2000
Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D3 — extreme drought

Arapahoe County is currently in D3 (extreme drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). Drought can elevate disinfection-byproduct (TTHM/HAA5) levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.

14
Weeks at D2+ (current streak)
22.0%
Months in D2+ (last 30y)
14
Weeks at D2+ (last 5y)

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

6
Declared disasters
Aug 2023
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Arapahoe County has experienced 6 federally declared disasters since 1969. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Aug 2023
SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, AND TORNADOES
Flood FEMA #4731
Sep 2013
SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES
Flood FEMA #4145
Sep 2013
SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES
Flood FEMA #3365
Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Coastal Storm FEMA #3224
May 1973
HEAVY RAINS, SNOWMELT AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #385
May 1969
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #261

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 1.0 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 15 ppb
Lead has decreased by 0.0 ppb from 1993 (1.0 ppb) to 2025 (1.0 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
1,000
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Byers's water comes from

Groundwater

Byers's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.

Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals.

Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds.

The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 1,000 people through 1 water system.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Byers

System Name PWSID Population Source
BYERS WSD CO0103010 1,000 GW
Regional Comparison

How Byers compares

Full Colorado rankings →

Byers's score of 90.6/100 is above the average of 45/100 among major Colorado cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.

Byers (this city)
90.6
Denver
39.6
Aurora
38.1
Lakewood
36.9
Colorado avg
45
City Profile

About Byers, CO

Economic Profile
$93,750
Median Income
$1,250/mo
Median Rent
17.5%
Unemployment
Community
29.4
Median Age
55
People / sq mi
14%
College Educated
83.7%
Homeownership
Share this reportHelp others learn about their water quality
WhatsAppXFacebookLinkedInEmail

Frequently asked questions

Is Byers, CO tap water safe to drink?

Byers's water quality earned a grade of A (90.6/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #16 out of 246 cities tested in Colorado.

What contaminants are in Byers's water?

Lead was measured at 1.0 ppb (90th percentile). 8 violations are on record.

How is Byers's water quality grade calculated?

The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.

Do I need a water filter in Byers?

Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.

Where does Byers's water come from?

Byers's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,000 residents.

What health violations has Byers's water system had?

Byers has 3 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 3 violations remain unresolved.

Is Byers's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Byers uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 8 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.

How does Byers's water compare to other cities?

Byers ranks #16 out of 246 cities in Colorado (better than 93% of state cities) and #2137 out of 15744 cities nationally (86th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Byers's small water system affect quality?

Byers's system serves approximately 1,000 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 8 violations on record.