Is Lakewood, CO Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Yes, Lakewood tap water is safe to drink. Hardness is low at 73 PPM, and no contaminants exceed health guidelines. Most homes here don't need treatment.
Hardness Scale: Where Lakewood Falls
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
How Lakewood Compares
Lakewood's water is 47% softer than the national average of 138 PPM - ranking in the bottom 62% for hardness nationwide. Most homes here do not need a softener. Within Colorado, it ranks #16 of 23 cities (26% below the state average of 99 PPM). Among smaller cities, Lakewood ranks #148 of 288 for hardness.
What Lakewood's Water Means for Your Home
Hardness: 73 PPM - Low Concern
Lakewood's water is moderately hard at 73 PPM. You'll see some spotting on glassware and a film on shower doors over time, but it's not the kind of hardness that demands a full softener. A salt-free conditioner is worth considering if you have a tankless water heater or high-end fixtures.
Contaminants & Safety
Lead levels deserve attention. At 9 ppb, Lakewood is above the ideal of zero, though below the EPA action level of 15 ppb (dropping to 10 ppb in November 2027 under the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements). The lead typically comes from aging service lines or interior plumbing, not the treatment plant. A point-of-use filter certified for lead at the kitchen faucet is a practical safeguard, especially in older homes.
What's in the Treatment Process
Lakewood's surface water supply requires heavy chlorination to stay safe — but that creates a tradeoff. The treatment process generates disinfection byproducts: TTHMs at 28.9 ppb (36% of the legal limit, but 192x the EWG guideline) and HAA5 at 16.6 ppb (28% of the legal limit, but 166x the EWG guideline). These are within legal limits, but the EWG sets much tighter thresholds based on cancer-risk research. A whole-house activated carbon filter reduces both chlorine and byproducts. All measurements are within federal legal limits. The EWG guidelines represent a more conservative, health-based standard.
| Contaminant | Detected | Health Guideline | Legal Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness (as CaCO₃) | 73 PPM | < 60 PPM | No federal limit | ✓ OK |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 130 PPM | < 300 PPM | 500 PPM | ✓ OK |
| PFAS (total) | Not tested | — | No total limit | N/A |
| Lead | 9 ppb | 0 ppb (no safe level) | 15 ppb (10 ppb in 2027) | ⚠ Elevated |
| Chlorine / Chloramine | 0.6 mg/L | Taste threshold ~1.0 | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ Normal |
| Nitrate | 0.0578 mg/L | 5 mg/L | 10 mg/L | ✓ OK |
Recommendations for Lakewood Homes
How to Test Your Water in Lakewood
Lead enters water from your home's plumbing, not the treatment plant — so Lakewood's city-wide average of 9 ppb may not match your tap. Testing your specific faucet is the only way to know. Run cold water for 30 seconds before collecting a sample.
Free option: Request Denver Water's annual Consumer Confidence Report for official city-level data.
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About Lakewood's Water Supply
Water Utility: Denver Water
Water Source: Denver Water system (Surface Water)
Population Served: 6,000
Hardness: 73 PPM (4.3 grains per gallon)
Lakewood's drinking water comes from surface sources — Denver Water system. Surface water requires more extensive treatment than groundwater, including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection. This heavier chlorination is why disinfection byproducts tend to be higher in surface-supplied systems. On the upside, surface sources often deliver softer water than deep aquifers. The system serves 6,000 residents.
Water quality can vary by neighborhood and season. For your exact numbers, request Denver Water's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) or test your own tap.
ZIP Codes Covered by This Report
This water quality data applies to all areas served by Denver Water in Lakewood, CO, including ZIP codes:
80110, 80123, 80127, 80128, 80162, 80401, 80402, 80419, 80420, 80421, 80424, 80429, 80433, 80435, 80436, 80437, 80438, 80439, 80440, 80443, 80444, 80448, 80452, 80453, 80454, 80456, 80457, 80461, 80465, 80470, 80475, 80476, 80497, 81225, 81251, 81611, 81612, 81615, 81621, 81623, 81642, 81645, 81649, 81654, 81656
If your ZIP code is listed above, this report covers your water supply. Water quality may vary slightly by neighborhood.
Compare Lakewood to Other Colorado Cities
Frequently Asked Questions About Lakewood Water
Is Lakewood tap water safe to drink?
Where does Lakewood's water come from?
Do I need a water softener in Lakewood?
What water filter is best for Lakewood?
What is the hardness of Lakewood water in grains per gallon?
Is Lakewood water safe for babies and infants?
What are disinfection byproducts in Lakewood's water?
Can I drink Lakewood tap water straight from the faucet?
Data sources: Lead and copper data from EPA Safe Drinking Water Act LCR reporting. Contaminant data from utility-reported testing results. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 (2023–2025). Hardness from USGS and municipal reports. Data reflects system-level testing results and may not match your specific tap due to neighborhood plumbing, season, or recent utility changes. For your utility's latest results, request their Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). Our methodology. Last updated: 2026-02-24.
What Lakewood Homeowners Actually Buy
Common purchases for homes with 73 PPM water.
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission. Selection based on Lakewood's water data.