Water Quality: Ouray, CO
2 water systems • 1,660 people served
Some ConcernsWater Quality Summary
Ouray is served by 2 public water systems with a combined service population of 1,660 people, and has 156 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 3 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. Ouray's violation count is 15% above the national average for Colorado. Contaminants associated with violations include Chlorine, Fecal Coliform.
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)
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)
Water Systems Serving Ouray
| System Name | PWSID | Source | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OURAY CITY OF | CO0146588 | Surface Water | 1,460 | 139 |
| VISTA VERDE VILLAGE | CO0142804 | Surface Water | 200 | 17 |
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.