Widefield WSD

General Information

All flowing water, including bottled varieties, may contain small amounts of various contaminants. The presence of these substances doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. For detailed information about contaminants and potential health effects, contact the Environmental Protection Agency's Safe Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791) or visit http://water.epa.gov/drink/contaminants.

Certain individuals may be more vulnerable to water contaminants than the general population. Those with compromised immune systems—such as cancer patients undergoing treatment, organ transplant recipients, people with HIV/AIDS, elderly individuals, and infants—may face increased infection risks. These individuals should seek advice from healthcare providers regarding their water consumption.

Water sources (tap and bottled) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water moves across land or underground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and sometimes radioactive materials, and can pick up substances from animal or human activity.

Potential contaminants in source water include:

• Microbial contaminants: viruses and bacteria from sewage treatment facilities, septic systems, agricultural operations, and wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants: salts and metals occurring naturally or resulting from urban runoff, wastewater discharges, oil/gas production, mining, or farming
• Pesticides and herbicides: from agriculture, urban runoff, and residential usage
• Radioactive contaminants: naturally occurring or resulting from oil/gas production and mining
• Organic chemical contaminants: byproducts of industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, urban runoff, and septic systems

To ensure tap water safety, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment establishes regulations limiting contaminant levels in public water systems. Similarly, FDA regulations set limits for contaminants in bottled water to provide equal public health protection.

Lead in Water

Elevated lead levels can cause serious health issues, particularly for pregnant women and young children. Lead in your home's water may come from plumbing materials. If concerned, consider having your water tested. When water has been sitting for several hours, minimize lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for consumption. More information is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791) or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

Source Water Assessment and Protection (SWAP)

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has provided a Source Water Assessment Report for our water supply. For general information or to obtain a copy, visit www.colorado.gov/cdphe/ccr under "Guidance: Source Water Assessment Reports." Search using 121900, WIDEFIELD WSD, or contact BRANDON BERNARD at 719-955-0548.

Water Resource Information

Fountain Valley Authority treats surface water from the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project, which collects water near Aspen and redirects it to the Arkansas River. The water flows approximately 150 miles downstream to Pueblo Reservoir before traveling through a pipeline to the treatment plant.

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