01The verdict: is Pelham water safe?
Based on EPA testing data, Pelham's tap water is generally safe to drink. The water system earned a grade of A+ (96.8/100), meeting federal drinking water standards across key contaminant categories. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 966 residents using groundwater (wells).
Nothing over a legal limit
Every contaminant measured in Pelham's water is within its EPA limit, and no violations are unresolved.
See the testing ↓Lead is well under the limit
90th-percentile lead is 0.0 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓Check back after the next refresh
EPA data updates on a rolling basis; we fold in new samples and violations every month.
Get alerts ↓Pelham's drinking water received a grade of A+ (96.8 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 966 residents using purchased ground water.
Lead levels were measured at 0.0 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 4 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. All violations have been resolved.
Pelham ranks #1 out of 244 cities in Colorado for water quality, placing it one of the best in the state. Pelham purchases its water from a regional wholesaler, meaning quality depends on both the supplier's treatment and the local distribution system's condition. As a small community water system, Pelham may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in Pelham's water
Every contaminant flagged in Pelham, on one shared scale: distance to its own legal limit. The red line is the limit — anything past it is out of compliance, and the closer a bar gets, the less headroom the system has.
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. | 0.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile lead PF PFAS in Colorado
Cities ranked by compounds detected Cu Copper in Colorado
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile copper
03Pelham's ten-year track record
Each box is one year. A green check means no EPA violations; a numbered badge counts that year's violations — red if any were health-based, amber if they were monitoring or paperwork issues. The system has 4 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. All violations have been resolved.
All ten of the last ten years were clean — no EPA violations recorded for Pelham.
▼ Down 5 ppb since 2007. Latest reading: 0 ppb (2023) — 0% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Pelham's water comes from
Pelham purchases its water supply from a regional wholesale provider rather than treating raw water directly.
Purchased Groundwater
Water is bought from a regional wholesaler; quality starts at the supplier's intake and treatment.
Wholesale supplier
Primary treatment happens at the wholesaler; the local utility maintains disinfectant residual in its pipes.
2 systems
2 water systems, operated under private ownership.
966 people
Residents served across Pelham's service area.
Water quality depends on both the wholesaler's treatment standards and the condition of Pelham's local distribution pipes and storage facilities. Purchased water systems are common in suburban areas and smaller communities that lack the infrastructure for independent treatment. The system is operated by private ownership and serves approximately 966 people through 2 water systems.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| FSI GREEN PARK SOUTH PROPERTY LLC | AL0001798 | 966 | Purchased Groundwater |
| YES SOUTHGATE, LLC | AL0001797 | 330 | Purchased Groundwater |
Water bodies near Pelham
These water bodies shape the regional watershed and can indirectly affect groundwater quality.
05How Pelham compares
Scores for nearby Colorado cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Colorado average (45/100)
Pelham scores 96.8/100 — above the Colorado average of 45/100. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities. Full Colorado rankings →
39.6 / 100FAurora, CO
38.1 / 100FColorado Springs, CO
33.5 / 100DFort Collins, CO
46.8 / 100FLakewood, CO
36.9 / 100FThornton, CO
38 / 100
Compare all cities in the county — grades, violations, and contaminant data side by side.→
06What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Pelham's water — not generic advice.
A basic carbon filter still helps
Pelham's water meets federal standards, but a simple carbon filter improves taste and adds a margin of safety against short-term issues.
Compare tested filters →Read your utility's annual report
Every utility must publish a yearly Consumer Confidence Report with its own testing results. It pairs well with the independent data on this page.
How to read a CCR →Watch for Pelham alerts
We refresh EPA data monthly and surface new violations, advisories, and boil-water notices for your county on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is Pelham, CO tap water safe to drink?
Pelham's water quality earned a grade of A+ (96.8/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #1 out of 244 cities tested in Colorado.
What contaminants are in Pelham's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 4 violations are on record.
How is Pelham'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 Pelham?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Pelham's water come from?
Pelham's water is sourced from Purchased ground water. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 966 residents.
Is Pelham's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Pelham 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 4 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 Pelham's water compare to other cities?
Pelham ranks #1 out of 244 cities in Colorado (better than 100% of state cities) and #149 out of 15382 cities nationally (99th percentile). The grade of A+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.