South Adams County Water and Sanitation District

Water Resources

The District's water portfolio includes groundwater from eleven wells drawing from the alluvial aquifer near the South Platte River, eight deep wells tapping the Arapahoe formation, and treated surface water from Denver Water. Eight of the District's shallow wells are initially pumped to the Klein Water Treatment Facility for processing, then blended with Denver Water before distribution to storage reservoirs.

Denver Water's supply comes entirely from surface sources across a 3,100 square mile watershed on both sides of the Continental Divide. These sources include the South Platte River and its tributaries, streams feeding Dillon Reservoir, and various creeks and canals throughout the Fraser River system. For Denver Water's 2018 Water Quality Report, visit: https://www.denverwater.org/sites/default/files/water-quality-report-2018.pdf

Source Water Assessment and Protection

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has provided a Source Water Assessment Report for SACWSD water supplies. For general information or to obtain a copy, visit https://www.co.gov/cdphe/swap-assessment-phase or contact the Water Quality Supervisor at 303-286-0447.

The assessment identifies potential contamination sources in our watershed, including chemical storage tanks, EPA hazardous waste generators, chemical inventory sites, and Superfund locations (such as Rocky Mountain Arsenal and Chemical Sales Co). This information helps us evaluate current treatment capabilities and prepare for future contamination risks to ensure quality water delivery to your home.

Water Quality Information

All municipal water, including bottled water, may reasonably contain small amounts of some contaminants. Their presence doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects is available from the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791) or at http://water.epa.gov/drink/contaminants.

Some individuals may be more vulnerable to contaminants than the general population. Immunocompromised persons, cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, people with HIV/AIDS, the elderly, and infants may face higher risks. These individuals should consult healthcare providers about their drinking water.

Water sources (both tap and bottled) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over land or underground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and can pick up substances from animal presence or human activity.

Potential contaminants include:

• Microbial contaminants: viruses and bacteria from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural operations, and wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants: salts and metals occurring naturally or from urban runoff, wastewater discharges, oil/gas production, mining, or farming
• Pesticides and herbicides: from agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses
• Radioactive contaminants: naturally occurring or from oil/gas production and mining
• Organic chemical contaminants: synthetic and volatile organics from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, stormwater runoff, and septic systems

Lead in Drinking Water

Elevated lead levels can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead exposure may be higher in some homes due to plumbing materials. The District has tested water in at-risk homes according to EPA requirements. Our water leaving treatment plants and within the distribution system contains no detectable lead and only trace copper amounts. Lead typically enters water through household plumbing containing lead, with softened water being more aggressive to plumbing materials.

Corrosion Control Study

In 2017, the District conducted a corrosion control study to identify optimal treatment for the distribution system. The study showed that carbonate passivation is optimized in groundwater sources without additional treatment. We continue monitoring pH and alkalinity to maintain stability throughout the system.

Hard Water

The District's water is considered hard, with an average total hardness of 21 grains per gallon (359mg/L) detected in 2017. This hardness results from our groundwater sources, which expose water to naturally occurring calcium and magnesium minerals underground. While hard water contributes beneficial minerals to your diet, it can also cause spotting on dishes, shower door films, and clogged appliances.

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