Lead Service Lines in Arvada, Colorado
What you need to know
The City of Arvada serves about 171,600 people. Like most older water systems in the US, Arvada may have lead service lines — the pipes that carry water from the main water lines under the street to homes. Lead can leach into your drinking water, especially if the water is corrosive or if pipes are disturbed.
Current status: Arvada has not yet completed a full inventory of lead service lines in its system. This means the utility does not yet have a public count of how many homes may be affected.
What is a lead service line?
A lead service line is the connection pipe between the municipal water main and your home's plumbing. Homes built before the 1980s are more likely to have them. Lead lines were common because lead is easy to work with and was not banned in plumbing until 1986.
If your home has a lead service line, lead levels in your water depend on several factors: water pH, temperature, stagnation time, and whether protective minerals coat the inside of the pipe. Not all homes with lead lines have dangerous levels.
How to find out if your home has a lead service line
1. Contact the City of Arvada water utility directly. Ask if they have information about your property's service line material. Provide your address. 2. Check your home's records from when it was built or last renovated. Original plumbing permits or inspection reports may note pipe materials. 3. Hire a plumber. A licensed plumber can inspect the service line where it enters your home or request records from the city.
The city is required under federal law to develop a complete inventory of lead service lines and make that information public. Check back with Arvada's water utility for updates on their progress.
Protect yourself while you wait
- Flush your lines. Let cold water run for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before drinking or cooking if water has sat in pipes overnight.
- Use cold water for drinking and cooking. Hot water leaches lead faster than cold.
- Test your water if you're concerned. Contact the Arvada water utility or a certified lab for testing options.
If you have young children or are pregnant, talk to your pediatrician or doctor about testing recommendations.
Next steps for residents
- Call the City of Arvada water utility and ask about your service line material and when a full inventory will be available
- Request a free or low-cost water test through your utility or a certified lab
- If your home was built before 1980, assume it may have a lead service line until proven otherwise
- Talk to your pediatrician if you have concerns about lead exposure for children in your home
Key figures
| Total inventoried lines | 0 |
|---|---|
| BIL/IIJA funding received | — |
| Replacement plan status | Not reported |
| Utility's LCRR inventory | Not provided |
Frequently asked
Does Arvada have lead in the water?
Lead in Arvada's water comes from lead service lines and interior plumbing, not from the source water itself. Whether your home has lead in the tap water depends on whether your service line and plumbing contain lead. Arvada is still completing its inventory of lead service lines.
How do I know if my house in Arvada has a lead service line?
Contact the City of Arvada water utility with your address and ask. You can also check your home's building records or hire a licensed plumber to inspect the service line. Homes built before 1980 are at higher risk.
Is it safe to drink tap water in Arvada?
Arvada's water meets federal safety standards. However, if your home has a lead service line or lead plumbing, some lead may leach into your water. Flushing your lines before drinking and using cold water for cooking reduces exposure.
What should I do if I think my water has lead?
Test your water through the Arvada water utility or a certified lab. Contact your utility to ask about testing options and costs. If you have young children, discuss concerns with your pediatrician.