Water Quality: Walsenburg, CO
6 water systems • 4,329 people served
Multiple Health ViolationsWater Quality Summary
Walsenburg is served by 6 public water systems with a combined service population of 4,329 people, and has 213 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 30 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. Walsenburg's violation count is 57% above the national average for Colorado. Contaminants associated with violations include Chlorine, Chlorine Dioxide, E. coli, Fecal Coliform, Stage 2 DBP.
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)
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
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)
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
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)
Water Systems Serving Walsenburg
| System Name | PWSID | Source | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WALSENBURG CITY OF | CO0128900 | Surface Water | 3,230 | 82 |
| GARDNER WATER AND SANITATION DIST | CO0128300 | Groundwater | 400 | 96 |
| NAVAJO WESTERN WD RESORTS | CO0128600 | Groundwater | 341 | 2 |
| NAVAJO WESTERN WATER DISTRICT ESTATES | CO0128625 | Groundwater | 145 | 1 |
| SPANISH PEAKS VILLAGE TRACT II WA | CO0128800 | Groundwater | 138 | 3 |
| PINON HILLS WATER USERS ASSOCIATION | CO0128650 | Groundwater | 75 | 29 |
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.