Water Quality: Boulder, CO
9 water systems • 170,165 people served
Multiple Health ViolationsWater Quality Summary
Boulder is served by 9 public water systems with a combined service population of 170,165 people, and has 91 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 8 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. Boulder's violation count is 33% below the national average for Colorado. Contaminants associated with violations include Chlorine, Disinfection Byproducts, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
Contaminants Found
Eye and nose irritation at high levels; long-term exposure above the MCL may cause liver and kidney damage.
Common source: Water treatment disinfectant added to kill harmful microorganisms
EPA limit: 4.0 mg/L (MRDL — Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level)
Broad category of chemicals formed during disinfection, associated with increased cancer risk and adverse reproductive effects.
Common source: Reaction of disinfectants (chlorine, ozone, chloramines) with organic matter
Haloacetic acids are associated with increased cancer risk and potential reproductive and developmental effects.
Common source: Reaction of chlorine disinfectants with organic matter in treated water
EPA limit: 0.060 mg/L (60 ppb)
Water Systems Serving Boulder
| System Name | PWSID | Source | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BOULDER CITY OF | CO0107152 | Surface Water | 166,080 | 10 |
| PINE BROOK HILLS WD | CO0107610 | Surface Water | 1,100 | 0 |
| MILE HI WATER INC HAULER | CO0107510 | Surface Water | 1,000 | 50 |
| BASELINE WD | CO0107135 | Surface Water | 820 | 4 |
| SHANNON WSD | CO0107710 | Groundwater | 450 | 0 |
| EAST BOULDER COUNTY WD | CO0107236 | Surface Water | 300 | 11 |
| LEFTHAND WSD LAKE PINES | CO0107472 | Surface Water | 250 | 7 |
| SPRING VALLEY MUTUAL WA | CO0107719 | Groundwater | 100 | 8 |
| PINE LAKE VILLAGE | CO0162612 | Surface Water | 65 | 1 |
Concerned About Your Water?
A home water filter can remove common contaminants. NSF-certified filters are tested against EPA standards.
Consider a reverse osmosis system for comprehensive filtration or a carbon filter for basic improvement.
Other Cities in Colorado
Data Sources
Drinking water violation data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). Data includes all recorded violations for active community water systems.