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.

Event particiapnts promoting the country of Peru pass through downtown Denver as part of the annual Parade of Lights on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022.

Photos: Annual Parade of Lights shines on downtown Denver Saturday night

You all looked very merry.

Snow falls over new affordable apartments at the Reserves At Green Valley Ranch. Oct. 27, 2022.

Denver’s cutting off new Emergency Rental Assistance Program applications Dec. 9

Federal money for the program is drying up as winter arrives.

1440 Pine is a transitional youth housing complex in Boulder, similar to what's coming to Denver's Five Points neighborhood.

A 56-unit housing project for unhoused young adults got a $3 million funding boost this week

City Council approved a $3 million loan agreement between the Department of Housing and Stability and the developer for a 56-unit development for young adults ages 18 to 24 who are at risk of or already experiencing homelessness.

Sunset over the city. Dec. 12, 2019. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Denver rents have fallen slightly since August — and eviction filings are now above pre-pandemic levels

Rents are still up 1.7% year over year.

A barbeque at Washington Park. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

With some funding, Councilmember Kashmann is looking to bolster neighborhood organization efforts

"To me, an RNO is a micro element in the bigger picture of the city of Denver where we all want to have a great workplace and living place."

Denver Water workers replace lead pipes leading into a home in Whittier. April 15, 2021.

Denver just got a lot of money to remove lead pipes. Here’s what it means for you.

The EPA said our system is one of the most successful. The funding will save residents time and money as Denver removes lead pipes.

A Denver Police cruiser is parked at Argonaut Wine and Liquor on East Colfax Avenue. Sept. 30, 2021.

Here’s what the two finalists to lead Denver’s law enforcement watchdog office say they want to focus on

The candidates met virtually with the public twice this week.

Want to have your say on biking in Denver? Apply for the Mayor’s Bicycle Advisory Committee

Applications are due Dec. 15.

The Cherry Creek High School marching band processes downtown in Denver's annual Parade of Lights, Dec. 1, 2018.

Parade of Lights will close a big chunk of downtown Denver this Saturday

Oh traffic jams, oh traffic jams, how crowded are your parking lots.

Early voters drop off their ballots at a drive-through collection station outside Denver Elections Division headquarters on Bannock Street, Nov. 7, 2022.

Denver’s final November 2022 election results are in

All local ballot measures passed, except the one charging landlords for eviction legal defense.

James Walsh on the Auraria Campus, where he teaches. Dec. 1, 2022.

Romero Troupe’s James Walsh is running for mayor to make Denver “the most worker friendly city in the country”

As for his campaign, "it’s completely grassroots,” he said.

A worker with Denver Water prepares to pass a new copper water service line from a residential water meter to the water main June 17, 2021, in Denver.

Denver wins EPA approval, funding to remove all lead pipes from city

Federal officials say Denver Water’s approach could be a model for how to tackle the lead pipe crisis.

District 5 Rep. Alex Valdez, Colorado House of Representatives, May 1, 2019. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Alex Valdez, a state house representative, is running for Denver mayor

Alex Valdez, a businessman and state house representative for northwest Denver, filed paperwork to run for mayor of Denver Wednesday.

The new park "cap" over I-70 in Elyria Swansea. Nov. 30, 2022.

That park above I-70 in Elyria-Swansea is finally open

For local, state and federal officials, it's a win. Community members still have questions.

A concept design for the Hub in Montbello. (Courtesy of Montbello Organizing Committee)

Montbello’s FreshLo Hub may get a final boost in funding from HOST

The Safety, Housing, Education & Homelessness Committee approved a $3,300,000 loan agreement between HOST and Montbello Organizing Committee for the project. Now, it heads to council.

The Support Team Assisted Response van. June 8, 2020. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Denver’s police alternative STAR program could get additional staff, vans and expand to 24-hour service next year

The Safety, Housing, Education and Homelessness Committee approved a proposal to expand the program. It now heads to City Council.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Marade vice chair Christian Steward reads a proclamation by Mayor Hancock to the Colorado Guardian Angels, July 15, 2018. (Kevin J. Beaty)

District 8 City Council candidate Christian Steward is focusing on community engagement

“The most important part of me being successful in this campaign is building coalitions within the community so they can enlighten me on policy priorities they want."

The Rocky Mountain Public Media headquarters, September 20, 2022. Kyle Harris/Denverite

Denver jazz station KUVO appoints Nikki Swarn as next general manager

Swarn follows in the footsteps of longtime General Manager Carlos Lando.

Auon'tai Anderson at Barnum Park. Nov. 27, 2022.

Auon’tai Anderson will seek re-election to Denver school board next fall

Anderson said he was set to run for Denver City Council but changed his mind after the board’s recent school closure debate.

Jill Locantore stands on what is perhaps Denver's most famous sidewalk: the 16th Street Mall in downtown on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022.

When city officials balked, Denver’s sidewalk queen kept pushing. Voters just gave her a huge win

Jill Locantore of the Denver Streets Partnership spearheaded a massive push to overhaul Denver's sidewalks.

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