Denver's Water Supply: Is It Safe To Drink?

Denver's water supply is primarily sourced from surface water, including the South Platte River, its tributaries, and the Dillon Reservoir. While Denver Water claims to provide safe and clean drinking water, meeting or exceeding state and federal standards, concerns about water pollution persist. Aging infrastructure, warming waters, and human-made chemicals pose threats, and in 2012, excessive lead levels were detected in 10% of Denver Water's samples. The presence of DBPs (disinfection byproducts) and PFAS (widely used chemicals) in the water supply also raises concerns. Denver Water continuously monitors the distribution system and treats water to prevent corrosion and protect the supply from pipe and plumbing materials.

Denver's water supply is 100% from surface water sources

Denver Water's three treatment plants remove particulate matter and microscopic organisms from the surface waters. After filtration, chloramines are added as a disinfectant to inactivate harmful microorganisms and keep the water clean. Chloramines are more effective than chlorine, producing fewer disinfection byproducts. Denver Water also has a Cross-Connection Control and Backflow Prevention Program to protect the public water supply from pollutants and contaminants that could be drawn in from private properties.

Despite these measures, Denver's water supply may still be susceptible to pollution. The Rocky Mountains can trap air pollution, and industrial spills can also impact water quality. Furthermore, ageing infrastructure can lead to sewage leaks and lead contamination. While PFAS-related compounds have not been detected in Denver's source water, other pollutants like pharmaceuticals and PFCs may be present.

To ensure clean tap water, it is crucial to prevent pollution at its source. Denver Water has implemented source water protection programs focusing on healthy forests and watersheds through partnerships with stakeholders and landowners. They also adhere to the Safe Drinking Water Act, meeting or exceeding federal and state standards.

Denver's water is contaminated with lead

Denver's water supply is sourced from surface water. The South Platte River and its tributaries, the Dillon Reservoir, and the other tributaries above the Fraser River are the primary drinking water sources. While Denver Water prioritizes sustainability, the city's drinking water has been found to be contaminated with lead.

In 2013, Denver, Colorado's largest municipal water utility, discovered lead in the tap water of some of its customers. The levels of lead exceeded the benchmarks set under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Since then, Denver Water has been working to address this issue. In 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment approved Denver Water's Lead Reduction Program, which aims to reduce lead in the city's drinking water. The program involves replacing lead service lines, controlling lead corrosion, and providing water filters to customers with lead service lines.

Despite these efforts, some property owners have failed to respond to requests or have refused to allow Denver Water to replace the lead service lines. This situation has hindered the city's progress in eliminating lead from the water supply. As of 2021, Denver Water has replaced 10,000 service lines out of 68,000 targeted in the program. The company has also developed a comprehensive inventory, constantly updated with new information, to guide decisions about where and when to replace lead service lines.

Denver Water's Lead Reduction Program has received recognition for its effectiveness. In 2022, the EPA approved a final variance under the Safe Drinking Water Act, allowing Denver Water to continue implementing its set of actions to reduce lead in the city's drinking water. The company prioritizes communities that are most vulnerable and at-risk from lead exposure, particularly infants and children. Denver Water also offers a partial reimbursement program for customers who choose to replace their service lines sooner.

Chromium 6 is a highly toxic metal in Denver's water that is unregulated

Denver's water supply is sourced from surface water, primarily from the South Platte River and its tributaries, the Dillon Reservoir, and the other tributaries above the Fraser River. While Denver Water prioritizes sustainability, the city's drinking water has faced scrutiny for its quality and contamination by Chromium-6, a highly toxic metal that is unregulated.

Chromium-6, also known as hexavalent chromium, is a carcinogen that commonly contaminates American drinking water. It is an unstable form of chromium, which occurs naturally in the environment, but it is also produced as a byproduct of industrial production. The stainless steel industry and manufacturers of anti-corrosives are the main sources of chromium-6-related industrial pollution. Chromium-6 specifically targets the respiratory and digestive systems, causing kidney and liver damage, skin reactions, and has been linked to cancers affecting these areas.

The presence of Chromium-6 in Denver's water supply has been a cause for concern, with levels exceeding California's public health goal of 10 ppb. While Denver meets this limit, it is bound by the federal standard for chromium, which is much higher at 100 ppb. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is evaluating the health effects of chromium and considering adjusting the total chromium limit or implementing a new regulation for hexavalent chromium in drinking water.

The best way to ensure Chromium-6 is removed from the water supply is through reverse osmosis filtration or sophisticated carbon and micron filtration. Bottled water may be a safe alternative, but it is important to research the source as many brands simply repurpose tap water. Denver Water also tests for secondary contaminants like PFAS, but there are still thousands of potential water pollutants that are not regulated or under-regulated.

Denver's water infrastructure is aging, which can allow sewage leaks and lead contamination

Denver's water supply is sourced from surface water, primarily the South Platte River and its tributaries, as well as the Dillon Reservoir and other tributaries above the Fraser River. While Denver Water claims to provide safe and clean drinking water that meets or exceeds state and federal drinking water standards, the city's water infrastructure is aging, which poses risks of sewage leaks and lead contamination.

The aging water infrastructure in Denver is a significant concern, as it can lead to unintended sewage leaks and lead contamination in the water supply. This issue is not unique to Denver, as many other cities and towns across the country face similar challenges with aging water systems. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set standards for safe drinking water, which all public water suppliers in the US must adhere to. These standards are enforced by the EPA and can be further strengthened by state regulators.

Denver Water has implemented several measures to address the challenges posed by its aging infrastructure. They have placed monitors throughout the distribution system to continuously check for any contaminants that may leach into the pipes post-treatment. Additionally, they treat the water before it leaves the treatment plant to ensure it is not corrosive, forming a protective scale over time that separates the water from the pipe material, including lead.

Despite these efforts, there have been concerns about lead levels in Denver's water supply. In 2012, Denver Water found that 10% of samples taken for lead testing exceeded the EPA's limit of 15 parts per billion (ppb). This discovery prompted corrective action, as required by the EPA, to reduce lead levels in the drinking water. Denver Water also tests for secondary contaminants like PFAS, which have become a growing concern in recent years.

While Denver Water works to ensure the safety and quality of its drinking water, the aging infrastructure remains a potential risk for sewage leaks and lead contamination. It is crucial for water providers to continuously monitor and upgrade their systems to maintain safe drinking water for their residents.

Denver Water has placed monitors to check for contaminants and treats water to be non-corrosive

Denver Water, the utility provider for the city of Denver, is committed to providing a clean and safe water supply for its 1.4 million residents. The organisation follows industry standards for water quality testing and uses only NSF 61-approved PVC pipes for delivery.

Denver's drinking water is sourced from surface water, primarily the South Platte River and its tributaries, the Dillon Reservoir, and the other tributaries above the Fraser River. While the city's water is of relatively good quality, there are still potential contaminants and pollution issues to address.

Denver Water has implemented several measures to ensure the safety of its water supply. Firstly, they have placed monitors throughout the distribution system to continuously check for contaminants. This helps to prevent the leaching of contaminants into the pipes post-treatment. Denver Water also tests for secondary contaminants like PFAS, which have been a growing concern in recent years.

In addition to monitoring, Denver Water treats its water to be non-corrosive. By making the water non-corrosive, they create a protective scale that forms over time, separating the water from the pipe material. This treatment acts as a safeguard, ensuring that the water supply is not impacted by pipe and plumbing materials, such as lead or other contaminants.

Denver Water's efforts to maintain water quality meet or exceed state and federal drinking water standards. They have been testing for PFAS-related compounds in source water and drinking water since 2017, and their water quality experts are committed to ensuring a safe water supply for their customers.

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