Denver County, CO · PWSID CO0116001
Denver Water Board lead service lines
16,674 lead or galvanized lines to replace
Denver Water Board reported 15,826 lead and 848 galvanized-requiring-replacement service lines out of 311,392 in its inventory. That's about 1 in 19 lines. Another 34,057 (11%) are still listed as unknown material.
Ranks #1 of 55 Colorado systems with confirmed lead lines, and #25 nationally.
5.4% of Denver Water Board's service lines are lead or galvanized requiring replacement. That's higher than the Colorado average (1.2%) and higher than the national average (3.1%).
- Lead 5.1%
- Galvanized (replace) 0.3%
- Unknown 11%
- Non-lead 84%
Total service lines reported: 311,392. Reported all required service line types. Population served: 1,287,000; 311,339 connections.
Lead test results
Denver Water Board's most recent 90th-percentile lead result (Jan 2026–Jun 2026) was 3.6 ppb, below both the 15 ppb action level and the 10 ppb level that takes effect in 2027. This means 90% of homes sampled were at or below that level; individual homes, especially those with lead lines, can be higher.
Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile results reported to EPA, in parts per billion. Dashed lines: 15 ppb action level and the 10 ppb level from November 1, 2027.
Progress since 2025 Q1
Reported lead and galvanized-requiring-replacement lines went from 14,641 in 2025 Q1 to 16,674 in 2026 Q3: up 2,033 (14%). Lines of unknown material went from 45,563 to 34,057, down 11,506 (25%).
Quarterly counts reported to EPA. A drop usually means lines were replaced or confirmed non-lead; a rise usually means more lines were identified. Replacement progress rankings.
Lead rule violations
EPA's data lists no Lead and Copper Rule violations for Denver Water Board since 2015. That covers testing, reporting, corrosion control and public notice requirements; it isn't a guarantee about any individual home.
Source: EPA SDWIS violation records for the Lead and Copper Rule.
Where the water comes from
Denver Water Board's main water source is surface water (rivers, lakes or reservoirs). It sells water to 45 other water systems, including City of Brighton, Crestview WSD, North Washington Street WSD, South Adams County WSD, City of Westminster, City of Aurora, East Cherry Creek Valley WSD, City of Glendale, Ken Caryl WSD, Willows WD, Cherry Creek Village WD, Platte Canyon WSD, Southgate WSD, Southwest Metropolitan WSD, Broomfield City and County of, Advenir French Quarter, Cherry Creek Valley WSD, North Lincoln WSD, North Pecos WSD, Highlands Ranch WSD, Consolidated Mutual Maple Grove, Alameda WSD, Bancroft Clover WSD, Bear Creek WSD, City of Edgewater, Green Mountain WSD, High View WD, Lakehurst WSD, City of Lakewood, Meadowbrook WD.
Source: EPA SDWIS water system and facility records.
Check your own address
These counts cover the whole system. To see whether your line is lead, use the utility's address-level inventory. Utilities had to prepare one by October 16, 2024 and make it publicly accessible; systems serving more than 50,000 people must post it online.
Official utility link, checked November 2026.
No map yet? Do the 2-minute scratch and magnet test on the pipe where water enters your home.
Protect your drinking water now
If your line is lead, galvanized or unknown, filter water for drinking, cooking and baby formula. Use a filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead. Run cold water for a few minutes after it sits for hours, and never use hot tap water for cooking.
How to pick a lead-certified filter · How to test your water for lead
Getting the line replaced
EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements require most systems to replace lead and galvanized-requiring-replacement lines by December 31, 2037. Ask Denver Water Board whether it replaces the private side for free or with a cost share before you hire anyone. If you want it done sooner, or your utility doesn't cover your side, a licensed plumber can quote it. What replacement costs.
County pages: Lead pipes in Denver County
Cities served
ZIP codes served
ZIP codes whose center falls inside Denver Water Board's mapped service area (EPA service area boundaries). Neighboring utilities may serve parts of the same ZIP.
801238020280203802048020580206802078020980210802118021280216802188021980220802228022380224802308023680237802388023980247802498026480266802908029380294
Other water systems nearby
| System | Lead + galv. | Unknown |
|---|---|---|
| Cherry Creek Valley WSD | 0 | 0 |
| Advenir French Quarter | 0 | 0 |
Check another water system
Questions
Does Denver Water Board have lead pipes?
Yes. Denver Water Board reported 15,826 lead service lines and 848 galvanized lines that must be replaced, out of 311,392 total. 34,057 more are of unknown material.
How do I check if my home's service line is lead?
Look up your address on Denver Water Board's official service line inventory, which utilities must make publicly available. You can also scratch the pipe where it enters your home: lead is soft, dull gray, scratches to shiny silver and does not attract a magnet.
When will Denver Water Board replace lead service lines?
Under EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, most systems must replace lead and galvanized-requiring-replacement lines by December 31, 2037, starting from November 1, 2027. The rule is being challenged in court, so dates could change. Many utilities run free or cost-share programs now.
Has Denver Water Board had lead violations?
EPA's data shows no Lead and Copper Rule violations since 2015 for Denver Water Board.
Which water filters remove lead?
Use a filter certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53 for lead reduction, or NSF/ANSI 58 for reverse osmosis. Check the certification on NSF's listings, not just the box.
Embed or cite this data
Local news sites, blogs and community groups can embed this card. It updates when EPA releases new data.
Citation: Lead Pipe Map, "Denver Water Board lead service lines," https://leadpipemap.com/co/denver-water-board/. Source: EPA SDWIS service line inventory, 2026 Q3. Download the full dataset on the data page.