Risky lead levels in water in Arapahoe and Adams Counties, says report

A new report found that some metro Denver residents were among the over 18 million Americans were at risk of drinking lead-contaminated water last year.

Megan Arellano

Jun. 29, 2016, 12:03 p.m.

Lead-contaminated water isn’t just something that happens in Flint. A new report from the Natural Resources Defense Council found that over 18 million Americans were at risk of drinking lead-contaminated water last year.

And some of them lived in metro Denver.

Arapahoe County served 31,000 people and had an average action level excess of 17 parts per billion. The EPA’s trigger level for addressing lead in drinking water is 15 ppb.

But that’s only to advise of a potential risk and to suggest reducing exposures.

Adams County served 275 people and also had an average action level in excess of 17 parts per billion. Denver county didn’t trigger any lead action alerts.

But don’t feel too high and mighty over that. Elsewhere in the city, Denver-area contractors settled with the EPA over allegations that they violated lead-based paint rules.

CultureHaus: Art of the Figure at the Denver Art Museum, Feb. 17, 2018. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Map Week

You’ve been paying for science and culture all over the metro area, but mostly downtown

Seven counties pool their resources for things ranging from the Denver Museum of Nature and Science to tiny arts organizations. We mapped 'em.

RTD General Manager and CEO Dave Genova speaks during a press conference the agency's downtown headquarters, Dec. 18, 2018. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

RTD’s troubled trains may need those software updates you’re always clicking “Later” on

They also said other railroads would like to copy them.

Officials break ground on new housing for homeless veterans at the University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora, Dec. 18, 2018. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Storied Fitzsimons Army Medical Center site will harbor vets who have experienced homelessness

Fitzsimons was founded as an army facility in 1918. Following its deactivation, the site became home to the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.

A long row of hot empanadas in Maria Empanada's new location on Platte Street, Dec. 18, 2018. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Opening alert: There’s a new Maria Empanada in town

Cantarovici started out making empanadas at home and selling them out of her garage shortly after she came to Denver from Argentina.

A rendering of potential development envisioned as part of "The River Mile" in the Elitch Gardens area. (Courtesy Revesco Properties)

Affordable housing deal struck with River Mile developer Revesco could be a model for more like it

The neighborhood that will sprout up around the Elitch Gardens area will include around 8,000 housing units, 15 percent of which will be rented or sold at below-market rates.

Denver’s getting a new neighborhood called the River Mile — eventually. Here’s what has to happen first.

Denver City Council signed off on the plans (including a deeper river), but it'll be a long while before there's a there there.

A cell block or "pod" at the Douglas County jail. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Denver City Council OKs $35,000 settlement for woman forgotten in cell while in Denver police custody

Susana Cordova named Denver superintendent, rising from student to teacher to top boss

The Denver school board voted unanimously to appoint Cordova, who has served as the district’s deputy superintendent for the past two years.

Sen. Cory Gardner speaks during a press conference with Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke and Rep. Ed Perlmutter to announce a new partnership between the Colorado School of Mines and U.S. Geological Survey. Denver Athletic Club, Oct. 22, 2018. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Gardner plays the states’ rights card for legal weed

The Republican senator has introduced an attachment to a bill helping protect Colorado's cannabis industry and others across the country.

Denver City Councilwoman Robin Kniech speaks at a public meeting. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Mayor, council members move to ban quack practice of “conversion therapy” on Denver kids

Conversion therapy is linked to depression, decreased self-esteem, substance abuse and even suicide, according to Mayor Michael Hancock’s office.

The green splotches are the best areas for transit. The red splotches are the worst. (Courtesy University of Minnesota Accessibility Observatory)

Map Week

These are the Denver homes with the absolute worst — and best — access to public transit

We measured it down to the footstep. Because we care.

Long lines as Food Bank of the Rockies distributes food to older residents at their Montbello warehouse, Dec. 15, 2018. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Denver-area seniors have increasing hunger needs — and it can be hard to ask for help

In addressing the need, volunteers and clients find an opportunity to bond.

These areas in Denver are not Denver. Nor Aurora, nor Glendale.

Map Week

If you think Denver’s weirdly shaped, wait’ll you see the islands of not-Denver in Denver

These Denverlocked parts of other counties probably won't ever be part of Denver because a Greenwood Village woman didn't like forced busing in the '70s.