Water Quality: La Junta, CO
7 water systems • 10,097 people served
Multiple Health ViolationsWater Quality Summary
La Junta is served by 7 public water systems with a combined service population of 10,097 people, and has 629 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 420 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. La Junta's violation count is 362% above the national average for Colorado. Contaminants associated with violations include Chlorine, E. coli, HAA5, Total Organic Carbon.
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)
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)
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 La Junta
| System Name | PWSID | Source | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LA JUNTA CITY OF | CO0145420 | Groundwater | 8,320 | 2 |
| BENTS FORT WC | CO0145060 | Groundwater | 900 | 17 |
| SOUTH SWINK WATER AUTHORITY | CO0145690 | Groundwater | 622 | 264 |
| HOMESTEAD IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION INC | CO0145360 | Groundwater | 87 | 0 |
| EAST END WA | CO0145120 | Groundwater | 70 | 183 |
| HOLBROOK CENTER SOFT WA | CO0145330 | Groundwater | 54 | 106 |
| SOUTH SIDE WA | CO0145660 | Groundwater | 44 | 57 |
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.