Water Quality: Estes Park, CO
5 water systems • 21,949 people served
Multiple Health ViolationsWater Quality Summary
Estes Park is served by 5 public water systems with a combined service population of 21,949 people, and has 293 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 69 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. Estes Park's violation count is 115% above the national average for Colorado. Contaminants associated with violations include Disinfection Byproducts, E. coli, Fecal Coliform, HAA5, Haloacetic Acids.
Contaminants Found
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
Causes gastrointestinal illness; certain strains (e.g., O157:H7) can cause severe kidney failure and death.
Common source: Fecal contamination from humans or animals entering the water supply
EPA limit: Zero (no E. coli permitted in drinking water)
Indicates direct fecal contamination; associated with diarrhea, cramps, nausea, and potential severe illness.
Common source: Human and animal fecal waste
EPA limit: Zero tolerance (any positive triggers violations)
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)
Linked to increased cancer risk and potential reproductive and developmental effects with long-term exposure.
Common source: Reaction of chlorine disinfectants with organic matter in treated water
EPA limit: 0.060 mg/L (60 ppb)
Total trihalomethanes are linked to increased risk of bladder cancer and adverse reproductive outcomes.
Common source: Reaction of chlorine disinfectants with naturally occurring organic matter in water
EPA limit: 0.080 mg/L (80 ppb)
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)
Not a direct health risk but reacts with disinfectants to form carcinogenic byproducts such as trihalomethanes.
Common source: Decaying plant material, algae, soil organic matter in source water
EPA limit: Treatment technique (must reduce TOC based on source water level)
Water Systems Serving Estes Park
| System Name | PWSID | Source | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ESTES PARK TOWN OF | CO0135257 | Surface Water | 16,722 | 10 |
| YMCA ROCKIES WIND RIVER | CO0135883 | Surface Water | 3,730 | 189 |
| RMNP HEADQUARTERS EAST | CO0135685 | Groundwater | 900 | 14 |
| WINDCLIFF POA | CO0135001 | Surface Water | 337 | 10 |
| ANNUNCIATION HEIGHTS | CO0235185 | Groundwater | 260 | 70 |
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.