Bear Creek WSD

The U.S. EPA mandates that community water systems serving the same residents year-round provide consumer confidence reports to their customers. These annual municipal water quality reports summarize information about water sources, detected contaminants, compliance status, and educational information.

Where does your water come from?
Denver's water originates from high-quality mountain snow runoff that feeds rivers, lakes, streams, and reservoirs. Denver Water's supply is 100% surface water from a watershed covering 4,000 square miles on both sides of the Continental Divide.

Mountain water resources
Denver Water draws from the South Platte River and its tributaries, channels feeding Dillon Reservoir, and waterways connected to the Fraser River. Water is stored in five mountain reservoirs: Antero, Eleven Mile Canyon, Cheesman, Dillon, and Gross. From these reservoirs, the water travels through an intricate system of tunnels, canals, and pipes to one of three treatment facilities before reaching homes and businesses.

Water distribution system
After treatment, water flows by gravity and pumps to a network of underground clear-water reservoirs before continuing to consumers. More than 3,000 miles of pipeline distribute water to Denver Water customers.

Source water assessment
Colorado's health department has completed an assessment of potential contaminants reaching Denver Water's three terminal reservoirs at Strontia Springs, Marston, and Ralston. Potential contamination sources include: EPA Areas of Concern, Permitted Wastewater Discharge Sites, Storage Tank Sites, Mine Sites, Commercial/Industrial/Transportation facilities, Residential areas, Urban Recreation zones, Quarries, Agricultural lands, Forests, Septic Systems, Oil/Gas Wells and Roadways.

Commitment to quality
Denver Water serves high-quality water to 1.4 million people in Denver and surrounding suburbs. Since 1918, they've expertly planned and operated a complex system delivering clean, safe water. The utility is funded by water rates and fees, not taxes, covering 360 square miles of service area while using less than 2% of Colorado's total water supply.

Water testing and treatment
Denver Water collected over 35,000 samples and conducted more than 68,000 tests in 2017 to ensure water safety. Their five-step treatment process includes:

1. COAGULATION/FLOCCULATION: Adding alum and polymer to cause small particles to combine into larger ones
2. SEDIMENTATION: Allowing these larger particles to settle for removal
3. FILTRATION: Passing water through fine granulated materials to remove smaller particles
4. DISINFECTION: Adding disinfectants to eliminate remaining microorganisms
5. CORROSION CONTROL: Maintaining pH with alkaline substances to reduce pipe corrosion

Health considerations
All water, including bottled water, may contain trace contaminants. Immuno-compromised individuals, cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, people with HIV/AIDS, elderly persons, and infants may be particularly vulnerable and should consult their physicians about drinking water safety.

Lead in water
Since 1992, Denver Water has tested water in at-risk homes for lead and copper contamination. While their source water and treated water contain no detectable lead, it can enter through lead-containing household plumbing. Homes built before 1951 may have lead service lines, and those built before 1987 may have lead solder in their plumbing. Melted snow water tends to be more corrosive to household pipes.

Where does "city water" come from?

All public water mains draw water from the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA), which operates under a 40-year lease with Detroit for regional water and sewer system management. Their facilities extract water from the Detroit River and Lake Huron, treating it for safe consumption before distributing it through large mains across metropolitan Detroit.

The GLWA serves Detroit residents and 3 million suburban residents through agreements with 127 communities. It's governed by six board members representing Detroit, Wayne, Oakland, Macomb Counties, and the State of Michigan. Services are regulated by the EPA, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, and other regulatory agencies.

Local water distribution

Farmington Hills connects to these GLWA transmission mains and transports water through their own network to local homes and businesses. Fire hydrants positioned along these lines provide community fire protection. Strategically placed valves allow sections to be isolated if maintenance is needed, minimizing service disruptions.

The City contracts with the Water Resources Commissioner's Office for operation and maintenance of municipal watermains and sanitary sewer lines. Their responsibilities include:

• Emergency services: Watermain repairs, landscaping, pavement maintenance
• Safety programs: Cross connection prevention, water quality testing
• Customer services: Meter reading, installation, billing
• Administration: Accounting, staff training, property liability, monitoring systems

While the Commissioner's Office provides these services contractually, the local water infrastructure remains city-owned property, operated according to municipal ordinances.