Frequently Asked Questions
Is Denver's tap water safe to drink?
Where does our water come from?
Is the water protected from contamination?
Why don't you allow recreation on some of your reservoirs?
What makes my water taste and smell bad?
Why is the water sometimes discolored?
Is bottled water safer than tap water?
Is there lead in my water, and if so what can I do about it?
Should I be concerned about radon?
What chemicals do you put in the water?
What is in Denver's treated water?
What type of disinfectant do you use in the drinking water?
Can toxic spills that seep into the ground or groundwater contaminate my drinking water?
What about waterborne parasites like Cryptosporidium and Giardia?
How long can tap water be stored and how should it be stored?
After showering in the winter why does my skin itch?
How do I treat the water for my fish?
1. Is Denver's tap water safe to drink?
Yes, our water more than meets all regulatory mandates, and has never violated any standard. Drinking water is regulated through the state health department (Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
2. Where does our water come from?
The sources of Denver's water are primarily runoff from snowmelt high in the Rocky Mountains. The portion of the South Platte River that runs through the metro area is not a source for Denver Water.
3. Is the water protected from contamination?
Denver Water has caretakers overseeing its source water, but our watershed is very large and potentially toxic spills or acts of nature, though rare, are possible. When a spill occurs we work with the local authorities and regulatory agencies to remedy the situation before it becomes a problem.
4. Why don't you allow recreation on some of your reservoirs?
Three of our reservoirs are "terminal reservoirs," meaning they are the last storage points of water before treatment. We do not allow recreation on these reservoirs. This protects the water from potential contamination prior to treatment. A cleaner source helps yield a cleaner product.
5. What makes my water smell/taste bad?
Water can pick up tastes and odors from new pipe, from low usage in the treated water, or from natural elements in the source water. Taste and odor events often occur seasonally during blooms of algae or aquatic plants. Although the plant material is removed during treatment, sometimes the odors persist. Tastes and odors in treated water are not harmful, but we do take steps to try and eliminate them. As an example, we have installed a by-pass at our Marston facility to divert water around the reservoir, where algae blooms can occur, directly into the treatment plant. In addition, we have an odor panel, who at least twice a week, try to detect odors in the water before it reaches the customer.
6. Why is the water discolored?
The discoloration is usually rust from aging pipes. It is not harmful, but is aesthetically displeasing. Discoloration of the water can be a result of disturbances in the water line due to using a hydrant improperly, installing new pipe, or shutting off the water to a local area for system maintenance. Home plumbing can also cause discoloration of the water.
7. Do I need a water filter?
Your tap water is perfectly safe without one. If you have an internal problem with your plumbing, you may want to consider a filter or treatment system.
8. Is bottled water safer than tap water?
Bottled water is only as good as its source. Many bottled waters are actually bottled tap water. Currently, bottled water is not as heavily regulated or tested as tap water. Instead bottled water is regulated through the Food and Drug Administration and is considered a food product. Additionally, water utilities are required to release information on their water's quality and bottled water companies are not.
9. Is there lead in my water, and if so what can I do about it?
Denver Water has not detected lead in their treated water or source water. However, lead can come from the customer's plumbing. According to the EPA, two types of homes may be at risk for lead contamination:
- homes that are very old (pre-WWII) with lead services or lead pipe, and
- homes that were built between 1982 and 1987, which used copper pipe with lead-based solder. Lead-based solder was banned from use on domestic drinking water plumbing in 1987. For more information click here: Lead in Drinking Water.
10. Should I be concerned about radon?
No, Denver uses only surface water such as lakes and streams to produce drinking water. Radon is not found in surface waters.
11. What chemicals do you put in the water?
During the treatment process aluminum sulfate (alum) and polymer are added to the untreated water. These chemicals bind with foreign matter such as dirt particles and form into large clumps that can be removed during the sedimentation and filtration portion of the treatment. After filtration, fluoride is added as needed to achieve fluoridation requirements set by the state health department. Finally a disinfectant is added to protect the drinking water from potentially harmful microscopic organisms. All chemicals that are added are certified food grade (safe for use in foods).
12. What is in Denver's treated water?
All natural waters contain minerals and some chemicals. The EPA has identified over 80 potential contaminants that when present at levels above established limits (Maximum Contaminant Level or mcl) may be a health threat. For more information please view the latest Treated Water Quality Report.
13. What type of disinfectant do you use in the drinking water?
We use chloramine. It is a combination of chlorine-based disinfectant and ammonia. It is a long lasting, highly effective disinfectant that minimizes disinfection by-products.
14. Can toxic spills that seep into the ground or groundwater contaminate my drinking water?
It is highly unlikely that toxic spills in the ground or groundwater could contaminate the drinking water since the treated water system is enclosed. See Question 3 for more information.
15. What about waterborne parasites like Cryptosporidium and Giardia?
Denver Water has tested for these parasites in the water for over a decade. Both organisms are found in source water, but not in the treated water. We add sufficient amounts of disinfectant during the treatment process to inactivate Giardia and other organisms. Effective filtration also helps remove both parasites. This is part of the federal governments Surface Water Treatment Rule (swtr). We are required to add a certain amount of disinfectant for a specific amount of time to satisfy this requirement.
16. How long can tap water be stored and how should it be stored?
Cold tap water can be stored for about 2 weeks if kept sealed, away from light and cold or at least cooled, in a clean, amber or foil-covered glass or hard plastic container.
17. Denver Water asks us to conserve the water, yet I see your crews wasting water, by flushing hydrants. Why do you do that?
Even the best water will get stale and taste unpleasant if not used sufficiently. Conservation is important, but to maintain good, fresh water, flushing is vital, especially in areas where water usage is low.
18. Is it okay to drink hot water?
No, never drink or use hot water from the tap for consumption or food or beverage preparation. Hot water systems (tanks, boilers) contain metallic parts that corrode over time and contaminate the hot water.
19. Why does my skin itch after I shower in the winter?
Our climate is usually cold and dry during the winter, and we tend to take hotter showers because of it. However, hot water dries the skin. Taking a warm shower instead of a hot one should help.
20. How do I treat the water for my fish?
Always use a dechlorinating agent for chloramine.
If you have a question that is not answered here, please e-mail WQLab Q & A and we will get back with you promptly.