Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Colorado Springs?
Yes, tap water in Colorado Springs is safe to drink and is high-quality Rocky Mountain snowmelt. About 70–80% is piped across the mountains from the Colorado River basin, and it meets all EPA standards.
Water Source
Colorado Springs Utilities collects snowmelt from the Pikes Peak watershed and imports the majority of its supply from the Colorado River basin through transmountain systems like the Homestake and Fryingpan–Arkansas projects, treating it at multiple plants.
EPA Compliance Status
Meets all federal Safe Drinking Water Act standards. The PFAS contamination that made headlines in the region affected groundwater in the nearby Security, Widefield and Fountain communities (linked to firefighting foam at Peterson Space Force Base) — not Colorado Springs Utilities' snowmelt-based supply.
Notable Contaminants & Context
- •No significant source-water concerns; mountain snowmelt is naturally low in dissolved minerals and organics
- •PFAS is monitored under the EPA's national rule; the utility's surface-water sources have not shown the contamination that hit neighboring communities' groundwater
- •Trace disinfection byproducts are monitored and well within limits
Water Quality Data
Key contaminants detected vs. regulatory limits. All values from the most recent published report — Source: Colorado Springs Utilities 2024 CCR.
| Contaminant | Detected | Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorine (total) | 1.2 mg/L | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ |
| Fluoride | 0.7 mg/L | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ |
| Lead (90th percentile) | 2.0 µg/L | 15.0 µg/L | ✓ |
| Nitrate (as N) | 0.72 mg/L | 10.0 mg/L | ✓ |
| TTHM (Total Trihalomethanes) | 24.8 µg/L | 80.0 µg/L | ✓ |
| HAA5 (Haloacetic Acids) | 16.3 µg/L | 60.0 µg/L | ✓ |
✓ = below limit ⚠ = above health goal ✗ = exceeds guideline
How It Compares
Colorado Springs' snowmelt supply is similar in character to Denver's — soft, low-mineral mountain water — and stands in sharp contrast to the PFAS-affected well systems just south of the city, which required federal cleanup and new treatment.
Tips
- •Tap water is excellent straight from the tap throughout the utility's service area
- •If you live in Security, Widefield or Fountain, you're on a different system — check that district's PFAS treatment updates
- •The utility publishes an annual water quality report online
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources & References
The safety rating and guidance on this page draw on the following sources. See our full methodology.
- •US EPA Safe Drinking Water Act regulations
- •EWG Tap Water Database
- •The utility's most recent Consumer Confidence Report (CCR)
- •WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality