Is Indian Hills, CO Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded B — but Copper was detected above EPA limits. Here's what's in the water and how to remove it. What to do next ↓
75.5/100
waterverge.com Indian Hills, CO — Water Quality Report
Indian Hills's drinking water received a grade of B (75.5 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,300 residents using ground water under influence.
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 34 violations on record, including 8 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.
What to know about Indian Hills's water
Indian Hills ranks #100 out of 246 cities in Colorado for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.
Indian Hills 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, Indian Hills may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
The system has seen 11 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Indian Hills, CO water safe to drink?
Indian Hills's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of B (75.5/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,300 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Indian Hills
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Indian Hills's water quality assessment. Grade: B (75.5/100).
Contaminants: Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule, Surface Water Treatment Rule.
Contaminants: Surface Water Treatment Rule, Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule.
Contaminants: Nitrate.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4731). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4145). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Indian Hills's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Exceeds EPA action level. Copper can leach from household plumbing — flush taps for 30 seconds before drinking.
Violation history
Indian Hills's water system has 34 total violations on record, including 8 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved. 11 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Jefferson 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. Local water sources include Bear Creek Above Evergreen, Bear Creek Above Bear Creek Lake, Turkey Creek Above Bear Creek Lake, Clear Creek, Lena Gulch.
Where does Indian Hills's water come from?
Indian Hills's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,300 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Bear Creek Above Evergreen (river), Bear Creek Above Bear Creek Lake (river), Turkey Creek Above Bear Creek Lake (river), Clear Creek (river), Lena Gulch (river).
What Indian Hills residents can do
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.
Indian Hills'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.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Indian Hills
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Indian Hills, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
Total reported releases to surface water: 146,000 lbs
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
MOLSON COORS USA LLC - GOLDEN BREWERY GOLDEN, CO80401 | Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution) | 146,000 | 8.9 mi |
ROCKY MOUNTAIN METAL CONTAINER GOLDEN, CO80401 | Lead | 0 | 9.5 mi |
TERUMO BCT STERILIZATION SERVICES INC LAKEWOOD, CO80215 | — | — | 9.7 mi |
MARTIN MARIETTA SPEC AGG GOLDEN, CO80401 | — | — | 4.9 mi |
ELECTRO-MECHANICAL PRODUCTS INC LAKEWOOD, CO80401 | — | — | 9.4 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Drought conditions
D3 — extreme droughtJefferson 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.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.
Flood & disaster history
Jefferson 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.
Recommended water filters
Based on contaminants detected in Indian Hills's water supply, we recommend the following filter types.
Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 1.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
| Copper (90th percentile) CopperInorganic A metal that enters drinking water mainly through corrosion of copper plumbing. Small amounts are essential for health, but excess levels are harmful. Health EffectsGastrointestinal distress (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) at short-term high levels; liver and kidney damage from long-term exposure. EPA Limit1.3 mg/L action level Common SourcesCorrosion of copper household plumbing, erosion of natural deposits. | 1.80 | 1.3 | mg/L | Inorganic | Over Limit |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
Copper level trend (90th percentile)
See how Indian Hills compares by contaminant
Explore where Indian Hills ranks among all Colorado cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Indian Hills's water comes from
Indian Hills'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 1,300 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near Indian Hills
Indian Hills is located near 5 notable water bodies. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.
Water systems serving Indian Hills
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| INDIAN HILLS WD | CO0130065 | 1,300 | GU |
How Indian Hills compares
Full Colorado rankings →Indian Hills's score of 75.5/100 is above the average of 45/100 among major Colorado cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Colorado rankings →About Indian Hills, CO
Wikipedia →Indian Hills is an unincorporated town, a post office, and a census-designated place (CDP) located in and governed by Jefferson County, Colorado, United States. The CDP is a part of the Denver–Aurora–Lakewood, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area. The Indian Hills post office has the ZIP code 80454. At the United States Census 2020, the population of the Indian Hills CDP was 1,474.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Indian Hills's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Jefferson
Frequently asked questions
Is Indian Hills, CO tap water safe to drink?
Indian Hills's water quality earned a grade of B (75.5/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #100 out of 246 cities tested in Colorado.
What contaminants are in Indian Hills's water?
Lead was measured at 1.0 ppb (90th percentile). 34 violations are on record.
How is Indian Hills'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 Indian Hills?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Indian Hills's water come from?
Indian Hills's water is sourced from Ground water under influence. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,300 residents.
What health violations has Indian Hills's water system had?
Indian Hills has 8 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in December 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 2 violations remain unresolved.
Is Indian Hills's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Indian Hills 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 34 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 Indian Hills's water compare to other cities?
Indian Hills ranks #100 out of 246 cities in Colorado (better than 59% of state cities) and #9568 out of 15744 cities nationally (39th percentile). The grade of B reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Indian Hills's small water system affect quality?
Indian Hills's system serves approximately 1,300 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 34 violations on record.