Water Quality: Trinidad, CO

10 water systems • 13,361 people served

Multiple Health Violations
298
Total Violations
8
Health-Based Violations
10
Water Systems
13,361
Population Served

Water Quality Summary

Trinidad is served by 10 public water systems with a combined service population of 13,361 people, and has 298 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. Trinidad's violation count is 119% above the national average for Colorado. Contaminants associated with violations include Chlorine, Chlorine Dioxide, E. coli, Fecal Coliform, Stage 2 DBP.

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

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)

Stage 2 DBP

Trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids that increase cancer risk and may cause adverse reproductive outcomes.

Common source: Chlorine disinfection reacting with natural organic matter in source water

EPA limit: TTHM: 0.080 mg/L; HAA5: 0.060 mg/L

Water Systems Serving Trinidad

System Name PWSID Source Population Violations
TRINIDAD CITY OF CO0136800 Surface Water 11,400 90
EL MORO HOEHNE PIPELINE ASSOC CO0136249 Surface Water 655 65
SANTA FE TRAIL RANCH MD CO0136700 Surface Water 360 20
SUNFLOWER VALLEY PIPELINE ASSN CO0136725 Surface Water 312 50
GREETVILLE CARBONDALE WATER CO0136321 Surface Water 210 0
TRINIDAD LAKE RANCHES POA CO0136850 Surface Water 200 5
TRES VALLES WEST CO0128726 Surface Water 68 5
STARKVILLE TOWN OF CO0136724 Surface Water 66 33
PINON WSD CO0136610 Surface Water 50 12
CHICOSA WATER USERS ASSOCIATION CO0136175 Surface Water 40 18

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