Denver water quality: now
The current Denver water policy continues to demonstrate commitment to innovation. Today, Denver Water is a public agency funded by water rates and tap fees, instead of taxes, that operates independently from the city government. The agency manages 3,100 square miles and 3,000 miles of pipelines serving 1.5 million people.
Denver, a semi-arid metropolitan area, receives about 15 inches of precipitation annually. Along with the South Platte River, Denver drinking water originates from several sources, including Blue River, Williams Fork River, and the South Boulder Creek, Ralston Creek, Bear Creek, and Fraser River watersheds. While nearly 75% of the area’s water is located on the western side of the state, about 75% of the population lives on the east side, making distribution and conservation a top priority. The Cheesman and Williams Fork reservoirs, along with Eleven Mile Canyon Dam and the Moffat Water Tunnel, carry surface water across both sides of the continental divide.
According to the recent Denver Water Quality report, surface water sources carry risk of contamination from naturally occurring minerals as well as discharge from petroleum refineries, agricultural runoff, herbicide, and leaching from septic tanks. Denver Water relies on a sophisticated 5-step treatment system in plants throughout the area. However, Denver tap water can sometimes carry an “earthy” taste from naturally occurring algae or other organic material. In addition, homes built before 1951 may contain service lines that contaminate Denver tap water with lead.
