City of Fort Collins

The City of Fort Collins draws its municipal water from two primary sources: the upper Cache la Poudre River and Horsetooth Reservoir. Beginning as precipitation in the mountains, Poudre River water originates on the eastern slope of the Continental Divide, northwest of Fort Collins. Horsetooth water comes from the Colorado River Basin on the western slope via the Colorado-Big Thompson Water Project.

Local water authorities collaborate with regional partners to monitor water quality throughout the Poudre River, Big Thompson River, and Horsetooth Reservoir watersheds. This monitoring program tracks over twenty-five different chemical, physical and microbiological contaminants at 35 locations. Recent water quality data from 2017 confirms that Fort Collins' supply watersheds continue to deliver high-quality water to residents.

Since 2013, the Utilities department has worked with the Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed (CPRW) to enhance the health and resilience of the Poudre River. The Poudre River Watershed Resiliency Plan, completed in 2016, helps prioritize watershed protection initiatives. That same year, the Source Water Protection Plan (SWPP) was developed, identifying wildfires and historical mining as the primary threats to water quality.

The city continues to fund collaborative wildfire restoration and mitigation projects to safeguard watersheds. Current restoration work focuses on controlling soil erosion in the High Park Fire area, while fuel reduction projects aim to minimize future wildfire risks. The 2017 Elkhorn Creek Forest Health Initiative exemplifies successful collaborative efforts that significantly reduced wildfire danger through various treatment methods.

An abandoned mine inventory completed in 2016 determined that heavy metals from these sites pose minimal risk to the Poudre River water supply, consistent with routine monitoring data from 2008-2016. Fort Collins' water supplies are currently considered at low risk for contamination from historical mining activity.

The Water Treatment Facility maintains an ISO 14001:2015 certified Environmental Management System (EMS) focused on pollution prevention, regulatory compliance, and continuous environmental improvement. Key initiatives include reducing greenhouse gas emissions, sustainable landscape management, and environmentally responsible waste disposal.

The facility participates in the Colorado Industrial Energy Challenge and the Colorado Environmental Leadership Program, earning Platinum Leader status for three consecutive years (2014-2016). Additionally, both the water treatment facility and distribution system have received prestigious Partnership for Safe Water awards, with the treatment facility earning the President's Award (Phase IV) - a distinction held by only 36 facilities nationwide.

All drinking water, including bottled water, typically contains trace amounts of some contaminants. As water flows across land or underground, it dissolves natural minerals and can pick up substances from animal and human activities. To ensure safety, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) regulates contaminant levels in public water systems.

Source water may contain:

• Microbial contaminants like viruses and bacteria from sewage treatment, septic systems, agricultural operations, and wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants such as salts and metals, occurring naturally or from urban runoff, wastewater discharges, oil/gas production, mining, or farming
• Pesticides and herbicides from agriculture, urban runoff, and residential uses
• Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile compounds from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, runoff, and septic systems
• Radioactive contaminants, either naturally occurring or resulting from oil/gas activities

For more information about contaminants and potential health effects, residents can call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791.

Concerning Cryptosporidium and Giardia, these organisms originate from animal and human waste in watersheds and commonly appear in untreated surface water. When ingested, they can cause fever, nausea, and diarrhea, but Fort Collins' water treatment system effectively removes these pathogens.

1. How often is Fort Collins' municipal water tested?
   The city conducts daily operational testing and comprehensive monthly testing according to EPA and state requirements, with over 10,000 samples analyzed annually.
2. What causes the hard water in Fort Collins?
   The naturally occurring minerals calcium and magnesium are present in both source waters, particularly in the Horsetooth Reservoir supply, leading to moderately hard to hard water ratings.
3. Is Fort Collins' water safe to drink?
   Yes, Fort Collins' water consistently meets or exceeds all federal and state water quality standards. The city's treatment processes are designed to remove or reduce contaminants to safe levels.
4. What should I do if I notice an unusual taste or odor in my tap water?
   Contact the Fort Collins Utilities Customer Service at 970-221-6700 to report any water quality concerns. Seasonal variations in source water can sometimes affect taste and odor without posing health risks.
5. Does Fort Collins add fluoride to the municipal water?
   Yes, Fort Collins maintains fluoride levels at the optimal concentration of 0.7 mg/L as recommended by public health agencies for dental health benefits.