Colorado City MD
What EPA’s and Colorado’s records show in this utility’s water: nitrate, arsenic and other regulated chemicals; lead and copper; and violations since 2016, with the certification that handles each result.
- Serves
- 2,755 people
- Connections
- 1,209
- Water source
- Surface water
- Based in
- Colorado City, CO
- County
- Pueblo
- Owner
- Local government
The short answer
2 results are above EPA’s legal limit, and 3 more are above the health goal. The worst: Haloacetic acids (HAA5), above the legal limit. 27 health-based violations since 2016.
What handles itWhat was found
Lead and copper: EPA SDWIS monitoring periods ending 2020 to 2026.
Copper: EPA’s file records a utility’s copper only when it exceeds the action level. The last here was 1.5 ppm, for the period ending Dec. 31, 1993. None since is on file, so it is not counted as a current finding.
Haloacetic acids (HAA5), total trihalomethanes (TTHM), uranium, arsenic, nitrate, fluoride and chromium (total): Colorado’s own results, samples taken from Jan. 14, 2020 to Aug. 31, 2026, with EPA’s 2012 to 2019 file for earlier years.
Above the legal limit2
Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
Forms or is added in treatment
122ppb
Highest yearly average, 2020 to 2026
2026 average: 57.3 ppb
Averaged by year, the highest was 122 ppb, in 2021, about twice EPA’s legal limit of 60 ppb. Its highest single sample was 267 ppb. In 2026, the latest year on file, its five samples averaged 57.3 ppb. EPA recorded violations for haloacetic acids (HAA5) at this utility in 2021, 2022 and 2023. Earlier, from 2012 to 2019, EPA’s file shows a highest yearly average of 67.4 ppb, in 2017, and EPA recorded violations in 2017 and 2018.
What handles it
No certification claim covers this compound yet.
Total trihalomethanes (TTHM)
Forms or is added in treatment
114ppb
Highest yearly average, 2020 to 2026
2026 average: 70.3 ppb
Averaged by year, the highest was 114 ppb, in 2021, above EPA’s legal limit of 80 ppb. Its highest single sample was 311 ppb. In 2026, the latest year on file, its five samples averaged 70.3 ppb. EPA recorded violations for total trihalomethanes (TTHM) at this utility in 2021 and 2022. Earlier, from 2012 to 2019, EPA’s file shows a highest yearly average of 89.3 ppb, in 2014, and EPA recorded violations in 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2018.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 53 look for “Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Reduction”
- NSF/ANSI 58 look for “Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Reduction”
Above the health goal3
Uranium
Comes from the source
3.8ppb
Highest yearly average, 2020 to 2026
Averaged by year, the highest was 3.8 ppb, in 2026: below EPA’s legal limit of 30 ppb, but above its health goal of zero. Its highest single sample was 5.0 ppb. That was also the latest year on file. Earlier, from 2012 to 2019, EPA’s file shows a highest yearly average of 3.0 ppb, in 2014.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 58 look for “Uranium”
Lead
Comes from pipes, often your own
1.0ppb
90th percentile, 2026
In the latest period, 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below 1.0 ppb, below EPA’s action level of 15 ppb. The action level drops to 10 ppb on Nov. 1, 2027. EPA’s health goal for lead is zero.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 53 look for “Lead Reduction”
- NSF/ANSI 58 look for “Lead Reduction”
Arsenic
Comes from the source
0.36ppb
Highest yearly average, 2020 to 2026
2026: not found
Averaged by year, the highest was 0.36 ppb, in 2021: below EPA’s legal limit of 10 ppb, but above its health goal of zero. Its highest single sample was 0.72 ppb. In 2026, the latest year on file, it wasn’t found in its one sample. Earlier, from 2012 to 2019, EPA’s file shows a highest yearly average of 0.5 ppb, in 2012.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 58 look for “Arsenic (Pentavalent)<=50 ppb Reduction”
- NSF/ANSI 53 look for “Arsenic (Pentavalent)<=50 ppb Reduction”
Below EPA’s limits3
Nitrate
Comes from the source
0.8ppm
Highest sample; found in 11 of 15
2026 average: 0.2 ppm
The highest sample, in 2024, was 0.8 ppm, below EPA’s legal limit of 10 ppm. In 2026, the latest year on file, its two samples averaged 0.2 ppm. Earlier, from 2012 to 2019, EPA’s file shows a highest sample of 0.7 ppm, in 2015.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 58 look for “Nitrate/Nitrite Reduction”
- NSF/ANSI 53 look for “Nitrate/Nitrite (30 ppm challenge)”
Fluoride
Forms or is added in treatment
0.27ppm
Highest yearly average, 2020 to 2026
2026 average: 0.19 ppm
Averaged by year, the highest was 0.27 ppm, in 2021, below EPA’s legal limit of 4.0 ppm. Its highest single sample was 0.33 ppm. In 2026, the latest year on file, its two samples averaged 0.19 ppm. Earlier, from 2012 to 2019, EPA’s file shows a highest yearly average of 1.4 ppm, in 2014.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 58 look for “Fluoride Reduction”
- NSF/ANSI 53 look for “Fluoride”
Chromium (total)
Comes from the source
6.5ppb
Highest yearly average, 2020 to 2026
2026: not found
Averaged by year, the highest was 6.5 ppb, in 2025, below EPA’s legal limit of 100 ppb. Its highest single sample was 10 ppb. In 2026, the latest year on file, it wasn’t found in its one sample. Earlier, from 2012 to 2019, EPA’s file shows a highest yearly average of 2.0 ppb, in 2015.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 58 look for “Chromium (Hexavalent) Reduction”
- NSF/ANSI 53 look for “Chromium Reduction”
What handles it
A certification covers specific claims, not a whole standard. Look for these claims on the certifier’s listing, not the box. Wording varies a little: NSF writes “Lead Reduction,” WQA just “Lead.”
- NSF/ANSI 53
Claims: Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Reduction, Lead Reduction, Arsenic (Pentavalent)<=50 ppb Reduction
For: Total trihalomethanes (TTHM), Lead, Arsenic
Other certifiers’ wording: VOC Reduction; Arsenic (III) (50 ppb influent level)
- NSF/ANSI 58
Claims: Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Reduction, Uranium, Lead Reduction, Arsenic (Pentavalent)<=50 ppb Reduction
For: Total trihalomethanes (TTHM), Uranium, Lead, Arsenic
Other certifiers’ wording: Arsenic (Pentavalent)<=300 ppb Reduction; Arsenic (V) (300 ppb influent level)
At the tap, or for the whole house?
Lead and copper usually come from pipes and fixtures inside or near your home. A whole-house system sits where water enters, so it cannot catch what your own plumbing adds after it. For those, the filter that counts is the one at the tap. How whole-house systems compare.
Filters with those claims on a certifier’s listing
Disclosure: TapBuff earns a commission if you buy through some links on this page. It does not change which standard or filter we name. As an Amazon Associate, TapBuff earns from qualifying purchases. How TapBuff makes money
Aquasana SmartFlow Reverse Osmosis (AQ-SFRO2)
Under-sink reverse osmosis
- WQA listing:NSF/ANSI 42NSF/ANSI 53NSF/ANSI 58NSF/ANSI 401checked Oct. 9, 2026
Certified for: Total trihalomethanes (TTHM), Lead, Arsenic
Brondell Capella RC250 Reverse Osmosis System
Under-sink reverse osmosis
- WQA listing:NSF/ANSI 42NSF/ANSI 53NSF/ANSI 58NSF/ANSI 401checked Oct. 9, 2026
Certified for: Total trihalomethanes (TTHM), Lead, Arsenic
Countertop reverse osmosis
- IAPMO listing:NSF/ANSI 42NSF/ANSI 53NSF/ANSI 58NSF/ANSI 401checked Oct. 4, 2026
Certified for: Total trihalomethanes (TTHM), Lead, Arsenic
Aquasana Clean Water Machine (AQ-CWM2)
Countertop
- WQA listing:NSF/ANSI 42NSF/ANSI 53NSF/ANSI 401checked Oct. 9, 2026
Certified for: Total trihalomethanes (TTHM), Lead
Brita Hub Countertop Water Filter System (87340)
Countertop
- WQA listing:NSF/ANSI 42NSF/ANSI 53NSF/ANSI 401checked Oct. 9, 2026
- IAPMO listing:NSF/ANSI 53checked Oct. 9, 2026
Certified for: Total trihalomethanes (TTHM), Lead
Violations since 2016
| Contaminant or rule | Type | Period | Measured | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Required treatment for surface water or groundwater was not met.EPA: Treatment Technique (SWTR and GWR) | Nov. 1, 2025 to Nov. 30, 2025 | — | Resolved |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Required treatment for surface water or groundwater was not met.EPA: Treatment Technique (SWTR and GWR) | Oct. 1, 2025 to Oct. 31, 2025 | — | Resolved |
| Groundwater Rule | A significant problem found in a state inspection was not fixed on time.EPA: Failure To Address Deficiency | Sept. 4, 2023 | — | Unaddressed |
| Groundwater Rule | A significant problem found in a state inspection was not fixed on time.EPA: Failure To Address Deficiency | Sept. 4, 2023 | — | Unaddressed |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | April 1, 2023 to June 30, 2023 | 0.064 MG/L | Resolved |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | Jan. 1, 2023 to March 31, 2023 | 0.063 MG/L | Resolved |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | Oct. 1, 2022 to Dec. 31, 2022 | 0.072 MG/L | Resolved |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | July 1, 2022 to Sept. 30, 2022 | 0.061 MG/L | Resolved |
| TTHM | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | April 1, 2022 to June 30, 2022 | 0.092 MG/L | Resolved |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | April 1, 2022 to June 30, 2022 | 0.081 MG/L | Resolved |
| TTHM | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | Jan. 1, 2022 to March 31, 2022 | 0.094 MG/L | Resolved |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | Jan. 1, 2022 to March 31, 2022 | 0.082 MG/L | Resolved |
| TTHM | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | Oct. 1, 2021 to Dec. 31, 2021 | 0.087 MG/L | Resolved |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | Oct. 1, 2021 to Dec. 31, 2021 | 0.077 MG/L | Resolved |
| Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule | Too many readings in a month showed cloudiness above the filtration standard.EPA: Monthly Turbidity Exceed (Enhanced SWTR) | Aug. 1, 2021 to Aug. 31, 2021 | — | Resolved |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | July 1, 2021 to Sept. 30, 2021 | 92 UG/L | Resolved |
| TTHM | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | July 1, 2021 to Sept. 30, 2021 | 112 UG/L | Resolved |
| Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule | One cloudiness reading was above the maximum allowed.EPA: Single Turbidity Exceed (Enhanced SWTR) | Dec. 1, 2020 to Dec. 31, 2020 | — | Resolved |
| Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule | Too many readings in a month showed cloudiness above the filtration standard.EPA: Monthly Turbidity Exceed (Enhanced SWTR) | Dec. 1, 2020 to Dec. 31, 2020 | — | Resolved |
| TTHM | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | Jan. 1, 2018 to March 31, 2018 | 0.094 MG/L | Resolved |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | Jan. 1, 2018 to March 31, 2018 | 0.063 MG/L | Resolved |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | Oct. 1, 2017 to Dec. 31, 2017 | 0.066 MG/L | Resolved |
| TTHM | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | Oct. 1, 2017 to Dec. 31, 2017 | 0.099 MG/L | Resolved |
| TTHM | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | July 1, 2017 to Sept. 30, 2017 | 0.091 MG/L | Resolved |
| Chlorine dioxide | The disinfectant was above its maximum allowed level.EPA: Acute Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level | Dec. 1, 2016 to Dec. 31, 2016 | 0.87 MG/L | Resolved |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Required treatment for surface water or groundwater was not met.EPA: Treatment Technique (SWTR and GWR) | Oct. 1, 2016 to Oct. 31, 2016 | — | Resolved |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Required treatment for surface water or groundwater was not met.EPA: Treatment Technique (SWTR and GWR) | Sept. 1, 2016 to Sept. 30, 2016 | — | Resolved |
| Health-based violations only. Resolved and archived mean the utility returned to compliance or the state closed the record. 84 monitoring or reporting violations not shown. | ||||
What this report can’t tell you
Everything else. Haloacetic acids (HAA5), total trihalomethanes (TTHM), uranium, arsenic, nitrate, fluoride and chromium (total) results here are Colorado’s own from 2020 on, with EPA’s national file for 2012 to 2019. Colorado City MD’s own annual report, which it must send you every year, has the contaminants this page does not show.
Your own plumbing. Lead results are the 90th percentile across homes the utility samples. Your home’s service line, solder and fixtures decide yours. A certified lab test is the only way to know.
What it means for your health. This page reports what the records show and EPA’s limits and goals; it is not medical advice. If you are worried about a health effect, talk to a doctor or your local health department.
Anything after the latest data. SDWIS data is from 2026 Q3; UCMR 5 didn’t sample this utility; Colorado’s results run from Jan. 14, 2020 to Aug. 31, 2026.
Testing your own tap
The 3 labs Colorado certifies closest to the area Colorado City MD serves, in a straight line. Call first: certification is test by test, and not every lab takes samples from homeowners.
Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment
Pueblo, CO · about 28 miles
Certified for bacteria
Sangre De Cristo Laboratory
Alamosa, CO · about 61 miles
Certified for bacteria, nitrate, lead and copper, metals, minerals and other inorganics
El Paso County Health Department
Colorado Springs, CO · about 66 miles
Certified for bacteria, nitrate, minerals and other inorganics
Sources
- EPA UCMR 5 occurrence data, file of Oct. 15, 2026
- EPA SDWA bulk download (SDWIS federal data), 2026 Q3
- Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Water Quality Control Division, results from Jan. 3, 2020 to Oct. 6, 2026, read Oct. 17, 2026
- EPA Six-Year Review 4 compliance monitoring data, 2012 to 2019, file of Feb. 5, 2024
- Certified labs: CDPHE certified drinking water laboratories, read Oct. 16, 2026; distances from the Census 2020 ZIP code tabulation area gazetteer
- Limits and goals: each contaminant’s page, with its EPA source.
- How this page is built: methodology.
PWSID CO0151200. Rebuilt from EPA data on Oct. 18, 2026.
What to do next
- Read up on the 5 results above a lineWhat each one does to health, where it comes from, and the certification claim that addresses it.Start with Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
- Get the utility’s own reportColorado City MD must send you a water quality report every year. It covers contaminants this page does not show.How to read it
- Test your own tap for leadYour service line, solder and fixtures decide the lead at your faucet, not the utility’s average.Lead in your water: what to do
- Compare certified filtersWhat the filters certified for these results cost over five years, cartridges included.Compare five-year costs