2W0a t e1r Q2u a l i t y Report

Reporte de
Calidad de
Agua
W H AT I S T H I S REPORT ?
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires
public water suppliers that serve the same people year
round (community water systems) to provide consumer
confidence reports to their customers. These reports are
also known as annual water quality reports. This report
summarizes information regarding water sources used,
any detected contaminants, compliance and educational
information.

W h e r e D o e s Y o u r Wat e r C o m e
From?
Denver’s drinking water comes from rivers, lakes, streams,
reservoirs and springs fed by high-quality mountain snow
runoff. Denver Water’s supply is 100 percent surface water
that originates in sources throughout the watershed that
encompasses 4,000 square miles on both sides of the
Continental Divide.

M o u n ta i n Wat e r S o u r c e s
Denver’s water sources are the South Platte River and its
tributaries, the streams that feed Dillon Reservoir, and the
creeks and canals above the Fraser River. Denver Water
Dillon Reservoir
stores its water in five mountain reservoirs: Antero, Eleven
Mile Canyon, Cheesman, Dillon and Gross. From these
reservoirs, the water is sent to one of three treatment
plants in the city through a complex system of streams, S o u r c e w a t e r Ass e ss m e n t
canals and pipes. The state health department has completed a source
water assessment of the potential for contaminants
After treatment, drinking water is fed by gravity and pumps reaching any of Denver Water’s three terminal reservoirs
to a system of underground clear-water reservoirs before at Strontia Springs, Marston and Ralston. The potential
continuing to your home or business. More than 3,000 sources of contamination that may exist are: EPA Areas
miles of pipe carry water to Denver Water customers. of Concern; Permitted Wastewater Discharge Sites;
Aboveground, Underground and Leaking Storage Tank
Sites; Solid Waste Sites; Existing/Abandoned Mine Sites;
Other Facilities; Commercial/Industrial/Transportation;
Residential, Urban Recreational Grasses; Quarries/Strip
Mines/Gravel Pits; Agriculture; Forest; Septic Systems; Oil/
Gas Wells; and Road Miles. For more information on the
report, contact the Colorado Department of Public Health
and Environment by calling 303-692-2000.

Ralston Reservoir
D e n v e r ’ s Wat e r S y s t e m

D e d i c at e d t o w at e r q u a l i t y Denver Water vigilantly safeguards our mountain water supplies,

Denver Water proudly serves high-quality water and promotes and the water is carefully filtered and treated before it reaches your
its efficient use to 1.3 million people in the city of Denver and tap. This brochure provides data collected throughout 2011. Visit us
many surrounding suburbs. Established in 1918, the utility online at www.denverwater.org/WaterQuality for more information.
is a public agency funded by water rates, new tap fees and
the sale of hydropower, not taxes. It is Colorado’s oldest and I n f o r m a c i ó n i m p o r ta n t e a c e r c a d e
largest water utility. Denver Water has a total water service la calidad del agua
area of approximately 300 square miles. Para recibir la versión en español del Reporte
de Calidad de Agua de 2011 de Denver Water,
Denver Water serves 25 percent of Colorado’s population with llame a Servicio al cliente al 303-893-2444 o visite
only 2 percent of the state’s water. www.denverwater.org/Espanol.

We take our water quality very seriously. Last year we collected

more than 13,000 samples and conducted more than 50,000 tests
to ensure our water is as clean and safe as possible.
Wat e r at a G l a n c e Is Th e r e a P r e s e n c e o f
Cryptosporidium and Giardia?
Denver Water has tested for cryptosporidium (crypto) and
All drinking water can reasonably be expected to contain giardia in raw and treated water since the 1980s. Since that
small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of these time, Denver Water has never detected a viable indication of
substances in drinking water does not necessarily pose a either in treated drinking water.
health risk. Immunocompromised individuals, such as people
who have undergone organ transplants, those with HIV- Crypto and giardia are microscopic organisms that, when
AIDS or other immune system disorders, and some elderly ingested, can cause diarrhea, cramps, fever and other gastro-
and infants, can be particularly at risk of infections. These intestinal symptoms. Crypto and giardia usually are spread
people should seek advice from their health care providers through means other than drinking water.
regarding the consumption of drinking water. For more
information about contaminants and potential health effects, While most people readily recover from the symptoms, crypto
or to receive a copy of the U.S. Environmental Protection and giardia can cause more serious illness in people with
Agency and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control guidelines compromised immune systems. The organisms are in many
on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by of Colorado’s rivers and streams and are a result of animal
cryptosporidium and microbiological contaminants, call wastes in the watershed. At treatment plants, Denver Water
the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791. removes crypto and giardia through effective filtration, and
giardia also is killed by disinfection.
L e a d i n D r i n k i n g Wat e r
If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health Ph a r m a c e u t i c a l s i n D r i n k i n g
problems, especially for pregnant women and young W at e r
children. Lead in drinking water primarily is from materials Recent media reports have highlighted the presence of
and components associated with service lines and home pharmaceuticals in municipal water supplies. Denver Water
plumbing. Denver Water is responsible for providing high- proactively participated in some of the earliest research
quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of projects looking for these compounds in a 2005 project with
materials used in plumbing components. When your water Colorado State University. The study was limited in scope and
has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the scale, but did detect trace amounts of antibiotics at part per
potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap with cold trillion concentrations (one part per trillion is equivalent to
water for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for one drop of water in twenty Olympic-size swimming pools).
drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your
water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information Even the world’s best scientists don’t yet know what the
on lead in drinking water, testing methods and steps you can presence of these substances in water means to human
take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking health. In fact, the testing technology is so new, most
Water Hotline or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead. commercial labs are not equipped to analyze for these
compounds yet. Consequently, the EPA has no current or
proposed regulations for these substances. Denver Water
has and always will strive to deliver the highest quality water
to our customers. If future research indicates that certain
substances should be removed from water, we will work to
find the best method of removal.

Visit www.denverwater.org for information on how to

properly dispose of pharmaceuticals.

Cheesman Reservoir
Wat e r q u a l i t y d ata
t e r m s , a bb r e v i a t i o n s & s y m b o l s

Some of the terms, abbreviations and symbols contained in this

report are unique to the water industry and might not be familiar
to all customers. Terms used in the table are explained below.

Contaminant: A potentially harmful physical, biological, Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level (SMCL):
chemical or radiological substance. Nonenforceable, recommended limits for substances that
affect the taste, odor, color or other aesthetic qualities of
Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL): Highest level of drinking water, but do not pose a health risk.
a contaminant allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set
as close to the Maximum Contaminant Level Goal as
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL): Highest
feasible using the best available treatment technology.
level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is
convincing evidence that adding disinfectant is necessary
Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG): The level of
a contaminant in drinking water below which there is to control microbial contaminants.
no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a
margin of safety. Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal (MRDLG):
Level of a drinking water disinfectant below which
Action Level: Concentration of a contaminant that, if there is no known or expected health risk. MRDLGs do
exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that not reflect benefit of the use of disinfectants to control
a water system must follow. microbial contaminants.

Parts Per Million (ppm): Equivalent to milligrams per

liter. One ppm is comparable to one drop of water in 55
gallons.

Parts Per Billion (ppb): Equivalent to micrograms per

liter. One ppb is comparable to one drop of water in
55,000 gallons.

PicoCuries Per Liter (pCi/L): Measures radioactivity.

Turbidity: A measure of suspended material in water. In

the water field, a turbidity measurement (expressed in
Nephalometric Turbidity Units) is used to indicate clarity
of water.
 WATER QUALITY MONITORING VIOLATION

In 2011, our water system violated a drinking water monitoring requirement.

Although this situation did not pose a safety risk and does not require that
you take immediate action, as our customers, you have a right to know
what happened, what you should do, and what we have done to correct this
situation.

We are required to monitor your drinking water for specific contaminants on

a regular basis. Results of regular monitoring are an indicator of whether or
not our drinking water meets health standards. From Jan. 1, 2011, to March
31, 2011, we did not complete all monitoring for volatile organic compounds
(VOCs).

What should I do?

There is nothing you need to do at this time. The table below lists the
contaminant we did not properly test for.

S o u r c e s o f D r i n k i n g Wat e r Contaminant Required Number of When Samples When Samples

Sampling Samples Should Have Were or Will
Sources of drinking water include rivers, lakes, streams,
Frequency Taken Been Taken Be Taken
ponds, reservoirs and springs. As water travels over land
VOCs* Quarterly 0 Jan-March 2011 April 2011
or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring
minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material. It also
can pick up substances resulting from human activity and What happened? What is being done?
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment required that
the presence of animals. Contaminants may include the Denver Water monitor its Marston Treatment Plant water for VOCs in the
following: first quarter of 2011. Denver Water’s Marston Treatment Plant was taken
out of service for maintenance Jan. 18, 2011, and remained out of service
until April 25, 2011. Denver Water’s schedule for VOC monitoring in January
• Microbial Contaminants - viruses, bacteria and other 2011 was the last week of the month, which was when Marston was out
microbes that may come from sewage treatment plants, of service. Because of that, we did not take a sample. This missed sample
caused Denver Water to have a VOC monitoring violation per the Colorado
septic systems, agricultural livestock operations and
Primary Drinking Water Regulations. Although the regulations do not require
wildlife. routine monthly VOC monitoring, Denver Water has had an active monthly
monitoring program for more than 10 years. Because of that, Marston Water
Treatment Plant, as well as Denver Water’s other treatment plants, were
• Inorganic Contaminants - salts and metals that can be monitored for VOCs in December 2010. Once Marston was back in service in
naturally occurring or result from urban stormwater April 2011, Denver Water continued monthly monitoring of VOCs. All samples
runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil before and after the first quarter when Marston was out of service show
Marston’s water met all drinking water standards, including those regulating
and gas production, mining or farming. VOCs.

For more information, please contact Maria Rose in our water quality labo-
• Pesticides and Herbicides - chemical substances that
ratory at 303-628-5968 or 1600 W. 12th Avenue, Denver, CO, 80204.
result from a variety of sources, such as agricultural and
urban stormwater runoff and residential uses. Please share this information with all the other people who drink this
water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for
example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses).
• Organic Chemical Contaminants - substances that You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies
include synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, that by hand or mail.

are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum *VOCs: 1,1-Dichloroethylene, 1,1,1 Trichoroethane, 1,1,2-Trichloroethane,
production, and also may come from gas stations, urban 1,2-Dichoroethane, 1,2-Dichloropropane, 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene, Benzene,
Carbon tetrachloride, cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene, Dichloromethane, Ethyl-
stormwater runoff and septic systems.
benzene, Monochlorobenzene, o-Dichlorobenzene, para-Dichlorobenzene,
Styrene, Tetrachloroethylene, Toluene, Trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene, Trichlo-
• Radioactive Contaminants - substances that can roethylene, Vinyl Chloride, Xylenes (total)

be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas

production and mining activities.
Th e t r e a t m e n t p r o c e ss
consists of five steps:

1. Coagulation/flocculation - Raw water from terminal

reservoirs is drawn into mixing basins at our
treatment plants where we add alum, polymer and
sometimes lime and carbon dioxide. This process
causes small particles to stick to one another, forming
larger particles.

2. Sedimentation - Over time, the now-larger particles

become heavy enough to settle to the bottom of a
basin from which sediment is removed.

3. Filtration - The water is then filtered through layers of

fine, granulated materials — either sand, or sand and
coal, depending on the treatment plant. As smaller,
suspended particles are removed, turbidity diminishes
and clear water emerges.

4. Disinfection - To protect against any bacteria, viruses

and other microbes that might remain, disinfectant
is added before the water flows into underground
reservoirs throughout the distribution system and
into your home or business. Denver Water carefully
monitors the amount of disinfectant added to maintain
water quality at the farthest reaches of the system.
Fluoride occurs naturally in our water but also is
added to treated water.

5. Corrosion control - pH is maintained by adding alkaline

substances to reduce corrosion in the distribution
system and the plumbing in your home or business.

Dillon Reservoir

Eleven Mile Canyon Reservoir

 R e g u l at e d Wat e r C o n ta m i n a n t s : W h at i s i n t h e wat e r ?
Colorado Public Water System I.D. No. CO116001

Regulated at the treatment plant Highest Levels Average Level Detected MCL Sample
(Entry to the Distribution System) Units of Measurement MCLG Allowed (MCL) (Range of Values) Violation? Frequency Possible Sources of Substances
Aluminum ppb N/A1 50 - 200 (SMCL)2 26 (br3 - 142) No Monthly Erosion of natural deposits, water treatment chemical
Barium ppb 2,000 2,000 27 (15 - 41) No Monthly Erosion of natural deposits, discharge of drilling wastes
Manganese ppb N/A 50 (SMCL) 2 (br - 14) No Monthly Erosion of natural deposits, discharge of drilling wastes
Uranium µg/L (ppb) zero 30 br (br - 1.9) No Quarterly Erosion of natural deposits and mine runoff
Cyanide, Total ppb 200 200 (Regulated as Free CN) br (br - 24) No Quarterly By-product of drinking water disinfection
Fluoride ppm 4 4.0 (2.0 is SMCL)4 0.71 (0.09 - 1.02) No 6 times daily at From erosion of natural deposits,
treatment plants water additive that promotes strong teeth

Nitrate + Nitrite as N ppm 10 10 0.06 (br - 0.19) No Monthly Erosion of natural deposits

Total Dissolved Solids ppm N/A 500 (SMCL) 141 (58 - 222) No Monthly Erosion of natural deposits

Sodium ppm N/A N/A 14 (4 - 29) No Monthly Naturally present in the environment

Sulfate ppm N/A 250 (SMCL) 41 (17 - 78) No Monthly Naturally present in the environment

Turbidity5 NTU6 N/A TT7 ≤ 0.3 NTU in 95% of Highest Turbidity Level for 2011: 0.09 No 12 times daily at Soil runoff

samples/month Percentage of samples < 0.3 NTU: 100% treatment plants

Compliance Description
Total Organic Carbon Removal Ratio N/A TT Denver Water used enhanced treatment to remove the
required amount of natural organic material and/or we No Running Annual Naturally present in the environment from
demonstrated compliance with alternative criteria. Average (RAA) natural or man-made sources

Average Level Detected MCL

Regulated in the Distribution System Units of Measurements MCLG MCL (Range of Values) Violation? Sampling Dates Sources of contaminant
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM)8 ppb N/A 80 Highest RAA9: 29 (10 - 37) No Monthly By-product of drinking water disinfection
Haloacetic Acids ppb N/A 60 Highest RAA: 18 (5 - 25) No Monthly By-product of drinking water disinfection
Total Coliform Absent or Present Zero No more than 5% positives per month Highest monthly percentage: No Daily Naturally present in the environment
0.26% in December 2011
Number of positives out of number of
samples for the year
2 out of 5,316 samples or 0.04%
Chloramine ppm 4 4 Highest Monthly Average Level No 12 times daily at Drinking water disinfectant used to kill microbes
(Range of all Results) 1.59 (1.08 - 1.98) treatment plants

Units of Action Level at the No. of Samples

Regulated at the Consumer’s Tap10 Measurements MCLG 90th Percentile 90th Percentile Value Exceeding Action Level Violation? Sampling Dates Sources of Contaminant
Copper ppm 1.3 1.3 0.21 0 out of 63 No June - September 2011 Corrosion of household plumbing
Lead ppb Zero 15 13 6 out of 63 No June - September 2011 Corrosion of household plumbing

1 Not applicable. 7 Treatment Technique refers to the water treatment process used in the treatment plants Last year the Water Quality Lab at Denver Water collected
which must be optimized to control the levels of these contaminants.
2 Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level (SMCL) is not enforceable. more than 13,000 water samples and conducted 9,735
8 By-products of the disinfection process. microbiological and 40,703 chemical tests.
3 br means below the reportable level for an analysis; the reportable level is the lowest
reliable level that can be measured.

9 RAA=Running Annual Average.

To receive a copy of the 2011 Treated Water Quality
4 Exceeding the Fluoride Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level of two milligrams per 10 Lead isn’t found in Denver’s treated water. However, lead might be present in the private Summary or to ask questions, please call Customer
liter triggers public notification.

plumbing of homes and businesses. Because Denver Water consistently has been below
lead and copper Action Levels, the state health department permits reduced monitoring to
Care at 303-893-2444.
5 Turbidity has no known health effects. However, turbidity can interfere with disinfection once every three years. The last compliance sampling for lead and copper was in 2011, the
and provide a medium for microbial growth. next one will be in 2014. The results in this table are from 2011 and are compliance results.

6 Nephalometric Turbidity Units.

www.denverwater.org
Tc sbs logo - two color side by side logo