Drinking water quality · 2024
· Verified
What's in Lakewood, CO tap water
33 contaminants were measured in the Lakewood, CO water system's 2024 annual report. Each is shown below against its federal limit — 7 sit at or above that limit.
- Reporting year
- 2024
- Contaminants measured
- 33
- Over federal limit
- 7
- Approaching the limit
- 0
- Worst contaminant
- Sulfate
- Service area
- CO
- SulfateInorganic chemicals · Average49200 ug/Llimit 250 ug/L · 196.8× the limit
- FluorideInorganic chemicals · Average675 ug/Llimit 4 ug/L · 168.8× the limit
- ChlorideInorganic chemicals · Average21400 ug/Llimit 250 ug/L · 85.6× the limit
- CopperMetals · 90th percentile60 ug/Llimit 1 ug/L · 60.0× the limit
- BariumMetals · Average39.9 ug/Llimit 2 ug/L · 19.9× the limit
- NitrateInorganic chemicals · Average119 ug/Llimit 10 ug/L · 11.9× the limit
- LithiumMetals · Average9.23 ug/Llimit 9 ug/L · 1.0× the limit
Where your water comes from · EPA SDWIS
Lakewood, CO buys its drinking water from DENVER WATER BOARD.
Source
Treatment
Distribution
Also buys water from DENVER WATER BOARD.
Inorganic chemicals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| SulfateA naturally occurring mineral from rock and soil. | 49200 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | 250 ug/LMCL | At or above the limit |
| FluorideA mineral often added to drinking water to help prevent tooth decay. | 675 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | 4 ug/LMCL | At or above the limit |
| ChlorideA naturally occurring salt compound. | 21400 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | 250 ug/LMCL | At or above the limit |
| NitrateA compound from fertilizer runoff, septic systems, and erosion of natural deposits. | 119 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | 10 ug/LMCL | At or above the limit |
Metals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| CopperA metal that enters water from corroding household plumbing. | 60 ug/L90th percentileAt the tap | 1 ug/LAction level | At or above the limit |
| BariumA metal from erosion of natural deposits and industrial discharge. | 39.9 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | 2 ug/LMCL | At or above the limit |
| LithiumA naturally occurring element found in some groundwater. | 9.23 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | 9 ug/LMCL | At or above the limit |
| AluminumA common element sometimes used as a treatment coagulant. | 39.5 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | 50 ug/LMCL | Within the limit |
| ZincA naturally occurring metal that can also enter water from corroding pipes. | 2.5 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | 5 ug/LMCL | Within the limit |
| LeadA toxic metal that leaches into water from old service lines, solder, and plumbing fixtures. | 3.6 ug/L90th percentileAt the tap | 15 ug/LAction level | Within the limit |
| ManganeseA naturally occurring metal from soil and rock. | 2.5 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | 50 ug/LMCL | Within the limit |
| ArsenicA naturally occurring element that also enters water from industry and agriculture. | 0.1 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | 10 ug/LMCL | Within the limit |
| Chromium, TotalTotal chromium — the sum of all chromium forms, from natural deposits and industrial discharge. | 0.8 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | 100 ug/LMCL | Within the limit |
| Antimony | 12Reported levelVolatile Organic Chemicals 2 | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| BoronA naturally occurring element from rock and soil. | 12.1 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| CalciumA naturally occurring mineral that contributes to water hardness. | 25300 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| MagnesiumA naturally occurring mineral that contributes to water hardness. | 6400 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| MercuryA toxic metal from erosion of natural deposits and industrial runoff. | 124Reported levelVolatile Organic Chemicals 2 | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (2)— Volatile Organic Chemicals 2, Volatile Organic Chemicals
| |||
| NickelA metal from natural deposits and industrial discharge. | 1.65 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
+By source (2)— Volatile Organic Chemicals 2, Volatile Organic Chemicals
| |||
| PotassiumA naturally occurring mineral from rock and soil. | 1700 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| SeleniumA trace element from natural deposits and industrial discharge. | 112Reported levelVolatile Organic Chemicals 2 | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| SodiumA naturally occurring salt component. | 23350 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Disinfection byproducts
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| TTHMTotal trihalomethanes — a group of four chemicals (including chloroform) formed when chlorine reacts with natural organic matter. | 37.9 ug/LRunning annual avgLocational RAA | 80 ug/LMCL | Within the limit |
| HAA5Haloacetic acids — a group of five disinfection byproducts formed when disinfectants react with organic matter. | 22.9 ug/LRunning annual avgLocational RAA | 60 ug/LMCL | Within the limit |
Radionuclides
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combined RadiumCombined radium-226 and radium-228 — naturally occurring radioactive elements. | 1.1 pCi/LAverageSystem-wide | 5 pCi/LMCL | Within the limit |
| Gross AlphaGross alpha particle activity — a combined measure of alpha-emitting radioactive substances. | 3 pCi/LAverageSystem-wide | 15 pCi/LMCL | Within the limit |
| UraniumA naturally occurring radioactive metal from erosion of natural deposits. | 0.2 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | 30 ug/LMCL | Within the limit |
Disinfectants
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ChlorineA disinfectant added to drinking water to kill bacteria and viruses. | 0.2Reported levelSystem-wide | 4MRDL | Within the limit |
Microbial
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total ColiformA group of bacteria used as an indicator of overall water-system sanitation. | 2024MaximumMonthly Percentage | 0MCLG | Detected — no federal limit |
Physical & aggregate
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| AlkalinityA measure of the water's capacity to neutralize acids. | 62200 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| HardnessA measure of dissolved calcium and magnesium minerals. | 89000 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| Specific ConductanceA measure of how well water conducts electricity, which tracks dissolved mineral content. | 296AverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
VOCs & pesticides
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| DBCP1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane — a banned soil fumigant pesticide. | 5Reported levelDisinfection Byproducts | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
People also ask about Lakewood, CO's water
+Is Lakewood, CO tap water safe to drink in 2024?
The 2024 Consumer Confidence Report for the Lakewood, CO water utility lists 7 contaminants at or above the federal limit: Sulfate, Fluoride, Chloride, Copper, Barium, Nitrate, and Lithium. Whether that means the water is "unsafe" depends on which contaminant, how long the exposure, and individual health factors. The table on this page shows the measured value, the federal threshold, and the regulated statistic used for compliance.
+What contaminants are in Lakewood, CO tap water?
33 contaminants were measured in Lakewood, CO's 2024 Consumer Confidence Report, spanning metals, inorganic chemicals, and physical & aggregate. 20 have an enforceable federal limit; the rest are detected but unregulated. Every measured value, in the utility's own units, is on this page.
+Which contaminants exceed federal limits in Lakewood, CO tap water?
7 contaminants in Lakewood, CO's 2024 report sit at or above the federal limit: Sulfate (196.8× the limit); Fluoride (168.8× the limit); Chloride (85.6× the limit); Copper (60.0× the limit); Barium (19.9× the limit); Nitrate (11.9× the limit); Lithium (1.0× the limit). The EPA enforces these limits against the regulated reporting statistic — typically a running annual average or 90th percentile — not a one-off sample spike.
+What is the worst contaminant in Lakewood, CO tap water?
The contaminant with the highest measured value relative to its federal limit in the 2024 report is Sulfate, at 196.8× the federal threshold. It belongs to the inorganic chemicals family of contaminants.
+Where does the data on this page come from?
Every value is transcribed from Lakewood, CO's 2024 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 Lakewood, 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 2024 report; a new report will replace it once the utility publishes its next annual update.