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Are There Contaminants In Boulder, Colorado Tap Water?
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FAQ
Additional Information On Boulder, CO Tap Water
Is Boulder tap water safe to drink?
Yes. Boulder’s drinking water meets federal and state drinking water standards. The city completes required testing for regulated contaminants, and results are reviewed to confirm compliance with Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Is Boulder tap water hard?
Boulder’s tap water is considered soft to moderately hard, with an average hardness of approximately 42 mg/L (2.4 grains per gallon). Water in this range typically causes minimal scale buildup, reduces spotting on fixtures, and supports better soap efficiency compared to harder water supplies.
Is there PFAS in Boulder tap water?
Recent sampling for Boulder, Colorado drinking water has not detected PFAS compounds above reporting limits. The EPA is in the process of setting new MCL (maximum contaminant levels), which range from 4 to 10 parts per trillion. In numbers, that would be 0.00000000004 for PFOA and PFOS, individually to 0.0000000001 for PFNA, PFHxS, and HFPO-DA (GenX Chemicals). As you can see in the water quality report, no contaminants were detected. Click here to learn more about our whole house PFAS filtration systems.
Does Boulder tap water have fluoride?
Yes. Fluoride is present in Boulder tap water at an average level of approximately 0.69 ppm, which is below the EPA maximum contaminant level of 4.0 ppm. Fluoride enters the water through natural mineral deposits and is closely monitored as part of Boulder’s routine water quality testing program.
Where does Boulder get its tap water?
Boulder’s drinking water primarily comes from high-quality mountain surface water sources, including Barker Reservoir, North Boulder Creek, Carter Lake, the Boulder Creek watershed, and the Colorado–Big Thompson Project. These mountain-fed supplies provide a reliable source of clean surface water, with seasonal variations based on snowpack and runoff conditions.
How is Boulder water treated?
Boulder treats its drinking water at two primary treatment facilities using multi-step processes that include coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection. Additional treatment is applied to reduce organic material and disinfection byproduct formation, ensuring water meets all safety and quality standards before distribution.
Do I need a water softener or filter in Boulder?
While Boulder’s water is considered high quality and relatively soft, some homeowners choose additional filtration to address taste, chlorine, sediment, and trace contaminants. Point-of-use or whole-house filtration systems can further enhance drinking water clarity and taste.
How does Boulder monitor water quality?
The City of Boulder operates an extensive source-to-tap water quality monitoring program that includes continuous online instrumentation, laboratory testing, and routine field sampling. Hundreds of samples are collected annually and analyzed in accordance with federal and state regulations.
However, during 2024, Boulder reported several non-health-based monitoring and reporting violations, including:
- Chlorine documentation violations at the Betasso Water Treatment Plant, where instrumentation and lab verification readings differed beyond allowable margins on multiple occasions. While chlorine levels remained within regulatory limits, documentation procedures were not properly followed. This issue was resolved in November 2024, and monitoring procedures were improved.
- A turbidity monitoring violation at the 63rd Street Water Treatment Plant due to a power outage that interrupted monitoring for approximately 18 hours. Continuous downstream measurements confirmed turbidity remained within regulatory limits, and system improvements were implemented.
- Backflow and cross-connection control violations, where several private properties failed to install required backflow prevention assemblies by mandated deadlines. These issues were corrected by November 2024, and enforcement and tracking programs were strengthened.
Although none of these events resulted in unsafe drinking water, they highlight the importance of ongoing oversight, system improvements, and regulatory compliance monitoring.
Where can I get a local tap water quality report?
You can access the most recent Boulder Tap Water Quality Report here.
Testimonials
Why Do Boulder, Colorado
Homeowners LOVE Us?
We didn’t expect such a big change, but the difference was obvious right away. Couldn’t be happier!
Installation was quick, and the results were immediate. The water finally tastes the way it should.
One of the smartest home improvements we’ve made!
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