Drinking water quality · 2023
· Verified
What's in Denver, CO tap water
16 contaminants were measured in the Denver, CO water system's 2023 annual report. Each is shown below against its federal limit.
- Reporting year
- 2023
- Contaminants measured
- 16
- Over federal limit
- 0
- Approaching the limit
- 0
- Service area
- CO
Where your water comes from · EPA SDWIS
Denver, CO's drinking water comes from surface water, drawn from 4 sources.
Source
- MARSTON FOREBAY
- RALSTON RESERVOIR INTAKE
- S PLATTE DIVERSION CONDUIT
- STRONTIA SPRINGS RES INTAKE
Treatment
- FOOTHILLS WTP
- MARSTON WTP
- MOFFAT WTP
- + 2 more
Distribution
Compliance history
Federal Safe Drinking Water Act violation & enforcement records (EPA SDWIS). A violation is a regulatory determination by the state or EPA — separate from the measured levels above.
Disinfection byproducts
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| TTHMTotal trihalomethanes — a group of four chemicals (including chloroform) formed when chlorine reacts with natural organic matter. | 38.5 ug/LRunning annual avgLocational RAA | None set | Within the limit |
| HAA5Haloacetic acids — a group of five disinfection byproducts formed when disinfectants react with organic matter. | 21.9 ug/LRunning annual avgLocational RAA | None set | Within the limit |
Metals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| LeadA toxic metal that leaches into water from old service lines, solder, and plumbing fixtures. | 0.0039 mg/L90th percentileAt the tap | 0.015 mg/LAction level | Within the limit |
| CopperA metal that enters water from corroding household plumbing. | 60 ug/L90th percentileAt the tap | 1300 ug/LAction level | Within the limit |
| BariumA metal from erosion of natural deposits and industrial discharge. | 41.3 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | 2000 ug/LMCL | Within the limit |
| LithiumA naturally occurring element found in some groundwater. | 9.23 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| NickelA metal from natural deposits and industrial discharge. | 0.94 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| SodiumA naturally occurring salt component. | 24000 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Radionuclides
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross AlphaGross alpha particle activity — a combined measure of alpha-emitting radioactive substances. | 3.4 pCi/LAverageSystem-wide | 15 pCi/LMCL | Within the limit |
| Combined RadiumCombined radium-226 and radium-228 — naturally occurring radioactive elements. | 1.1 pCi/LAverageSystem-wide | 5 pCi/LMCL | Within the limit |
| UraniumA naturally occurring radioactive metal from erosion of natural deposits. | 0.5 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | 30 ug/LMCL | Within the limit |
Physical & aggregate
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| TurbidityA measure of cloudiness from suspended particles in the water. | 0.203 NTUHighest single sampleSystem-wide | None set | Within the limit |
Inorganic chemicals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| FluorideA mineral often added to drinking water to help prevent tooth decay. | 618 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | 4000 ug/LMCL | Within the limit |
| NitrateA compound from fertilizer runoff, septic systems, and erosion of natural deposits. | 91 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | 10000 ug/LMCL | Within the limit |
Other
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorine Total | 0.2 mg/LReported levelSystem-wide | 4 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
Microbial
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total ColiformA group of bacteria used as an indicator of overall water-system sanitation. | 2 %Reported levelNumber of Positives | 0 %MCLG | Detected — no federal limit |
People also ask about Denver, CO's water
+Is Denver, CO tap water safe to drink in 2023?
Every one of the 16 contaminants measured in Denver, CO's 2023 Consumer Confidence Report is below its federal limit. "Safe" under the EPA's drinking-water standards is health-based, not aesthetic — but by those standards, no measured contaminant in this report exceeds its enforceable threshold. Individual health concerns (e.g. immunocompromised, infant, pregnancy) may warrant additional filtering regardless of compliance.
+What contaminants are in Denver, CO tap water?
16 contaminants were measured in Denver, CO's 2023 Consumer Confidence Report, spanning metals, radionuclides, and disinfection byproducts. 10 have an enforceable federal limit; the rest are detected but unregulated. Every measured value, in the utility's own units, is on this page.
+Where does the data on this page come from?
Every value is transcribed from Denver, CO's 2023 Consumer Confidence Report — the annual drinking-water report every U.S. public water utility is required by federal law to publish. The original source document is archived and viewable on this site. A water-quality report covers an entire service area, not a single address.
+How often is Denver, CO's water quality data updated?
Each U.S. public water utility publishes one Consumer Confidence Report per year, covering the prior calendar year's measurements. This page reflects the 2023 report; a new report will replace it once the utility publishes its next annual update.