City of Golden

Golden's primary water source comes from snowmelt in Clear Creek and its tributaries. As this water flows through the watershed, it naturally absorbs minerals, nutrients, and occasionally radioactive materials from rock surfaces and riverbeds. The quality of Clear Creek water can be affected by various factors including:

• Natural events like rockslides and landslides
• Runoff from forested areas (both deciduous and evergreen)
• Wildlife activity and environmental factors
• Human-related activities throughout the watershed

Potential contaminants in source waters may include:

• Bacteria and microorganisms from wastewater treatment facilities, septic systems, livestock operations, and wildlife
• Minerals and metals from road maintenance, construction, mine waste, abandoned mines, and agricultural activities
• Organic chemicals from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, and storage tanks (both above and below ground)
• Naturally occurring radioactive materials or those resulting from mining or energy production
• Pesticides, herbicides, and nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus from residential lawns and agricultural runoff

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has provided residents with a Source Water Assessment Report specific to Golden's water supply. This report doesn't indicate current water quality but offers a screening-level assessment of potential impacts to Clear Creek. This information helps Golden develop effective water management strategies to enhance treatment and protect our tap water quality. The report is available online at https://wqcdcompliance.com/ccr or by contacting Golden's Environmental Services Division at 303-384-8181.

Regarding lead in water, it primarily comes from lead service lines connecting water mains to homes and from household plumbing. Historical town records show lead service lines were installed from 1879 until 1937. Homes built before the 1986 ban on lead in plumbing materials are more likely to have lead pipes, fittings, and solder. Lead can leach into water when the water is corrosive (has incorrect pH or insufficient dissolved solids). Golden implements a comprehensive corrosion control plan to prevent corrosive water distribution, monitoring pH, alkalinity, hardness, temperature, and other water quality parameters. The City conducts annual lead and copper testing at 32 designated sites, prioritizing homes likely to have lead plumbing. Since the Lead and Copper Rule was implemented in 1991, the City has never exceeded compliance levels.

LEAD - WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Young children and pregnant women are typically more vulnerable to lead exposure. Lead levels may be higher in your home than in others due to materials used in your plumbing. The City of Golden provides high-quality water but cannot control materials used in service lines and home plumbing. You can reduce exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for cooking or drinking. If concerned, consider having your water tested. Information about lead in water, testing methods, and steps to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791 or www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

AquaHawk Alerting is a FREE service for City of Golden customers to help efficiently manage water usage and reduce monthly bills. This system is available as part of the recent city-wide meter upgrade. If you've had a new meter installed within the last year, register today!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the difference between indoor home drains and street storm drains?
   The key difference is treatment. Water flowing down indoor drains travels through the sanitary sewer system to treatment facilities where it undergoes chemical processing and purification before being released into the South Platte River. Conversely, water entering storm drains flows directly to the river without any treatment, meaning any pollutants or debris entering these drains are carried straight to natural waterways.
2. What purpose do storm drains serve?
   Storm drains are designed to manage stormwater runoff and transport it to outfall points. Most of Golden's stormwater drainage system is underground, allowing rainwater to be conveyed to the South Platte River without causing flooding or erosion. This infrastructure helps keep streets and intersections clear of standing water, improving traffic safety during precipitation events.
3. Why should residents be concerned about stormwater pollution?
   Stormwater can transport trash and harmful contaminants, cause flooding, erode soil and stream banks, and damage aquatic habitats. In natural settings with undeveloped ground cover, only about 10% of rainfall becomes runoff, with the rest being absorbed or evaporating. In urban areas, however, up to 55% becomes runoff due to impervious surfaces like pavement, sidewalks, driveways, and rooftops. Remember that water entering the stormwater system receives no treatment before reaching the South Platte River.
4. Why is there a stormwater fee on my utility bill?
   The stormwater drainage system functions as a utility, providing essential services to all Golden residents and some non-residents. To maintain the system and implement necessary improvements, a modest fee is added to utility bills. This practice is common throughout Colorado municipalities.