Indian Hills WD
What EPA’s and Colorado’s records show in this utility’s water: nitrate, arsenic and other regulated chemicals; lead and copper; and violations since 2016, with the certification that handles each result.
- Serves
- 1,300 people
- Connections
- 380
- Water source
- Groundwater influenced by surface water
- Based in
- Lakewood, CO
- County
- Jefferson
- Owner
- Local government
The ZIP code it serves
The short answer
3 results are above the health goal. The worst: Nitrate, above the health goal. 6 health-based violations since 2016.
What handles itWhat was found
Lead and copper: EPA SDWIS monitoring periods ending 2018 to 2023.
Copper: EPA’s file records a utility’s copper only when it exceeds the action level. The last here was 1.8 ppm, for the period ending Dec. 31, 2001. None since is on file, so it is not counted as a current finding.
Nitrate, uranium, total trihalomethanes (TTHM), haloacetic acids (HAA5), fluoride, chromium (total) and arsenic: Colorado’s own results, samples taken from Jan. 6, 2020 to Sept. 24, 2026, with EPA’s 2012 to 2019 file for earlier years.
Above the health goal3
Nitrate
Comes from the source
12.2ppm
Highest sample; found in 33 of 34
2026 average: 5.6 ppm
One sample, in 2024, was above EPA’s legal limit of 10 ppm, at 12.2 ppm. The next sample at the same point, within 30 days, brought the average back under the limit. 10 ppm is also EPA’s health goal. In 2026, the latest year on file, its three samples averaged 5.6 ppm. EPA recorded no violation for nitrate at this utility since 2020. Earlier, from 2012 to 2019, EPA’s file shows a highest sample of 11.8 ppm, in 2017.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 58 look for “Nitrate/Nitrite Reduction”
- NSF/ANSI 53 look for “Nitrate/Nitrite (30 ppm challenge)”
Uranium
Comes from the source
2.5ppb
Highest yearly average, 2020
Averaged by year, the highest was 2.5 ppb, in 2020: below EPA’s legal limit of 30 ppb, but above its health goal of zero. Its highest single sample was 3.0 ppb. That is the only year on file. Earlier, from 2012 to 2019, EPA’s file shows a highest yearly average of 3.4 ppb, in 2012.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 58 look for “Uranium”
Lead
Comes from pipes, often your own
1.0ppb
90th percentile, 2023
In the latest period, 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below 1.0 ppb, below EPA’s action level of 15 ppb. The action level drops to 10 ppb on Nov. 1, 2027. EPA’s health goal for lead is zero.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 53 look for “Lead Reduction”
- NSF/ANSI 58 look for “Lead Reduction”
Below EPA’s limits4
Total trihalomethanes (TTHM)
Forms or is added in treatment
53ppb
Highest yearly average, 2020 to 2026
2026 average: 24.2 ppb
Averaged by year, the highest was 53 ppb, in 2023, below EPA’s legal limit of 80 ppb. Its highest single sample was 94.9 ppb. In 2026, the latest year on file, its three samples averaged 24.2 ppb. EPA recorded no violation for total trihalomethanes (TTHM) at this utility since 2020. Earlier, from 2012 to 2019, EPA’s file shows a highest yearly average of 68.8 ppb, in 2019.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 53 look for “Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Reduction”
- NSF/ANSI 58 look for “Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Reduction”
Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
Forms or is added in treatment
27.9ppb
Highest yearly average, 2020 to 2026
2026 average: 4.9 ppb
Averaged by year, the highest was 27.9 ppb, in 2023, below EPA’s legal limit of 60 ppb. Its highest single sample was 51.8 ppb. In 2026, the latest year on file, its three samples averaged 4.9 ppb. Earlier, from 2012 to 2019, EPA’s file shows a highest yearly average of 26.6 ppb, in 2013.
What handles it
No certification claim covers this compound yet.
Fluoride
Forms or is added in treatment
0.71ppm
Highest yearly average, 2020 to 2022
2022 average: 0.41 ppm
Averaged by year, the highest was 0.71 ppm, in 2021, below EPA’s legal limit of 4.0 ppm. Its highest single sample was 0.97 ppm. In 2022, the latest year on file, its two samples averaged 0.41 ppm. Earlier, from 2012 to 2019, EPA’s file shows a highest yearly average of 0.97 ppm, in 2017.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 58 look for “Fluoride Reduction”
- NSF/ANSI 53 look for “Fluoride”
Chromium (total)
Comes from the source
3.0ppb
Highest yearly average, 2020 to 2022
2022 average: 2.0 ppb
Averaged by year, the highest was 3.0 ppb, in 2020, below EPA’s legal limit of 100 ppb. In 2022, the latest year on file, its two samples averaged 2.0 ppb. Earlier, from 2012 to 2019, EPA’s file shows a highest yearly average of 2.0 ppb, in 2019.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 58 look for “Chromium (Hexavalent) Reduction”
- NSF/ANSI 53 look for “Chromium Reduction”
One compound tested and not foundBelow the reporting level in every sample. Not found is not the same as zero.
- Arsenic
What handles it
A certification covers specific claims, not a whole standard. Look for these claims on the certifier’s listing, not the box. Wording varies a little: NSF writes “Lead Reduction,” WQA just “Lead.”
- NSF/ANSI 53
Claims: Nitrate/Nitrite (30 ppm challenge), Lead Reduction
For: Nitrate, Lead
- NSF/ANSI 58
Claims: Nitrate/Nitrite Reduction, Uranium, Lead Reduction
For: Nitrate, Uranium, Lead
Other certifiers’ wording: Nitrate
At the tap, or for the whole house?
Lead and copper usually come from pipes and fixtures inside or near your home. A whole-house system sits where water enters, so it cannot catch what your own plumbing adds after it. For those, the filter that counts is the one at the tap. How whole-house systems compare.
Filters with those claims on a certifier’s listing
Disclosure: TapBuff earns a commission if you buy through some links on this page. It does not change which standard or filter we name. As an Amazon Associate, TapBuff earns from qualifying purchases. How TapBuff makes money
Countertop reverse osmosis
- IAPMO listing:NSF/ANSI 42NSF/ANSI 53NSF/ANSI 58NSF/ANSI 401checked Oct. 4, 2026
Certified for: Nitrate, Lead
Aquasana SmartFlow Reverse Osmosis (AQ-SFRO2)
Under-sink reverse osmosis
- WQA listing:NSF/ANSI 42NSF/ANSI 53NSF/ANSI 58NSF/ANSI 401checked Oct. 9, 2026
Certified for: Nitrate, Lead
Culligan 10-Cup Pitcher with ZeroWater Technology (ZEROP10)
Pitcher
- IAPMO listing:NSF/ANSI 42NSF/ANSI 53NSF/ANSI 401checked Oct. 9, 2026
Certified for: Nitrate, Lead
Brita Tahoe Pitcher with Elite Filter (OB60, OB06)
Pitcher
- WQA listing:NSF/ANSI 42NSF/ANSI 53NSF/ANSI 401checked Oct. 13, 2026
- IAPMO listing:NSF/ANSI 53checked Oct. 13, 2026
Certified for: Lead
Brita Everyday Pitcher with Elite Filter (OB46, OB06)
Pitcher
- WQA listing:NSF/ANSI 42NSF/ANSI 53NSF/ANSI 401checked Oct. 13, 2026
Certified for: Lead
Violations since 2016
| Contaminant or rule | Type | Period | Measured | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Required treatment for surface water or groundwater was not met.EPA: Treatment Technique (SWTR and GWR) | Sept. 1, 2018 to Sept. 30, 2018 | — | Resolved |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Required treatment for surface water or groundwater was not met.EPA: Treatment Technique (SWTR and GWR) | Aug. 1, 2018 to Aug. 31, 2018 | — | Resolved |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Required treatment for surface water or groundwater was not met.EPA: Treatment Technique (SWTR and GWR) | July 1, 2018 to July 31, 2018 | — | Resolved |
| Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule | Too many readings in a month showed cloudiness above the filtration standard.EPA: Monthly Turbidity Exceed (Enhanced SWTR) | May 1, 2017 to May 31, 2017 | — | Resolved |
| Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule | Too many readings in a month showed cloudiness above the filtration standard.EPA: Monthly Turbidity Exceed (Enhanced SWTR) | April 1, 2017 to April 30, 2017 | — | Resolved |
| Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule | One cloudiness reading was above the maximum allowed.EPA: Single Turbidity Exceed (Enhanced SWTR) | April 1, 2017 to April 30, 2017 | — | Resolved |
| Health-based violations only. Resolved and archived mean the utility returned to compliance or the state closed the record. 17 monitoring or reporting violations not shown. | ||||
What this report can’t tell you
Everything else. Nitrate, uranium, total trihalomethanes (TTHM), haloacetic acids (HAA5), fluoride, chromium (total) and arsenic results here are Colorado’s own from 2020 on, with EPA’s national file for 2012 to 2019. Indian Hills WD’s own annual report, which it must send you every year, has the contaminants this page does not show.
Your own plumbing. Lead results are the 90th percentile across homes the utility samples. Your home’s service line, solder and fixtures decide yours. A certified lab test is the only way to know.
What it means for your health. This page reports what the records show and EPA’s limits and goals; it is not medical advice. If you are worried about a health effect, talk to a doctor or your local health department.
Anything after the latest data. SDWIS data is from 2026 Q3; UCMR 5 didn’t sample this utility; Colorado’s results run from Jan. 6, 2020 to Sept. 24, 2026.
Testing your own tap
The 3 labs Colorado certifies closest to the area Indian Hills WD serves, in a straight line. Call first: certification is test by test, and not every lab takes samples from homeowners.
GeoWater Services
Evergreen, CO · about 10 miles
Certified for bacteria
SGS North America, Inc. - Wheat Ridge
Wheat Ridge, CO · about 12 miles
Certified for nitrate, lead and copper, metals, minerals and other inorganics, organic chemicals, disinfection byproducts, radioactivity
Eurofins Denver
Arvada, CO · about 14 miles
Certified for nitrate, minerals and other inorganics, organic chemicals, PFAS
Sources
- EPA UCMR 5 occurrence data, file of Oct. 15, 2026
- EPA SDWA bulk download (SDWIS federal data), 2026 Q3
- Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Water Quality Control Division, results from Jan. 3, 2020 to Oct. 6, 2026, read Oct. 17, 2026
- EPA Six-Year Review 4 compliance monitoring data, 2012 to 2019, file of Feb. 5, 2024
- Certified labs: CDPHE certified drinking water laboratories, read Oct. 16, 2026; distances from the Census 2020 ZIP code tabulation area gazetteer
- Limits and goals: each contaminant’s page, with its EPA source.
- How this page is built: methodology.
PWSID CO0130065. Rebuilt from EPA data on Oct. 18, 2026.
What to do next
- Read up on the 3 results above a lineWhat each one does to health, where it comes from, and the certification claim that addresses it.Start with Nitrate
- Get the utility’s own reportIndian Hills WD must send you a water quality report every year. It covers contaminants this page does not show.How to read it
- Test your own tap for leadYour service line, solder and fixtures decide the lead at your faucet, not the utility’s average.Lead in your water: what to do
- Compare certified filtersWhat the filters certified for these results cost over five years, cartridges included.Compare five-year costs