Water Quality: Paonia, CO

10 water systems • 3,847 people served

Multiple Health Violations
569
Total Violations
42
Health-Based Violations
10
Water Systems
3,847
Population Served

Water Quality Summary

Paonia is served by 10 public water systems with a combined service population of 3,847 people, and has 569 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 42 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. Paonia's violation count is 318% above the national average for Colorado. Contaminants associated with violations include Chlorine, Chlorine Dioxide, Disinfection Byproducts, E. coli, Fecal Coliform.

Contaminants Found

Chlorine

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)

Chlorine Dioxide

Can cause anemia in infants and young children; may cause nervous system effects at high levels.

Common source: Water treatment disinfectant used to control taste, odor, and microorganisms

EPA limit: 0.8 mg/L

Disinfection Byproducts

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

E. coli

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)

Fecal Coliform

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 Paonia

System Name PWSID Source Population Violations
PAONIA TOWN OF CO0115601 Surface Water 2,499 129
BONE MESA DOMESTIC WD CO0115152 Surface Water 400 166
PITKIN MESA PIPELINE CO CO0115610 Surface Water 295 14
STEWART MESA WC CO0115724 Surface Water 250 5
HIDDEN VALLEY HOA WATER COMPANY CO0115342 Surface Water 120 53
MINNESOTA PIPELINE CO0115513 Surface Water 72 34
HAMMOND PIPELINE CO0115340 Surface Water 70 47
WEST PAONIA DOMESTIC WATER COMPANY CO0115838 Surface Water 57 39
SOUTH LAMBORN MESA WATER COMPANY CO0115716 Surface Water 47 40
WESTERN EXTENSION DOMESTIC WATER COMPANY CO0115841 Surface Water 37 42

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

Denver 428 violations • 1,359,013 served Aurora 367 violations • 604,019 served Colorado Springs 2017 violations • 567,087 served Fort Collins 137 violations • 303,541 served Lakewood 249 violations • 260,762 served Thornton 295 violations • 230,581 served Westminster 77 violations • 203,655 served Arvada 18 violations • 173,420 served

View all 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.

Verify at epa.gov • Search ECHO for CO