PWS ID CO0107485

2023 LONGMONT
DRINKING WATER
QUALITY REPORT

YOUR WATER!
The City of Longmont is pleased to
present the 2023 Drinking Water
Quality Report. Inside you will find
information about Longmont’s
drinking water and results of the most
recent tests that were done on the
drinking water.

The City of Longmont is proud to report we met all applicable federal and state drinking water
standards and did not have any violations in 2023.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SUSTAINABILITY 1 Where Longmont

Gets Its Water 5 Bottled Water,
Health Concerns, 9 Frequently Asked
Questions
OBJECTIVE: and Lead
Preserve the natural 2 What’s in the Water
Before Treatment?
in Drinking Water
11 Where to Get More
Information
environment in our
watershed and provide
3 What about 6 What is in
Your Tap Water?
13 Longmont Water
a reliable, high quality Longmont’s Water? Fast Facts
water supply that
4 How is the 7 Test
Results
14 Are You Taking Care
protects public health. Water Treated? of Our Water?

If you prefer to receive this report in printed format, please call 303-651-8416.
 WHERE LONGMONT

GETS ITS WATER

The City of Longmont’s drinking water is all surface
water that comes from streams, lakes and reservoirs The sources, reservoirs and plants
that are fed by snowmelt and rainfall. The sources of are shown on the map below.
Longmont’s drinking water are:
The St. Vrain Creek watershed, which includes North
and South St. Vrain Creeks and St. Vrain Creek. The flows through the Adams Tunnel and is delivered to
North St. Vrain Creek watershed includes wilderness Longmont through Carter Lake via the St. Vrain Supply
areas and portions of Rocky Mountain National Park. Canal and Southern Water Supply Pipeline. During this
Ralph Price Reservoir is used to store water from North reporting year, 62% of Longmont’s water came from
St. Vrain Creek. The South St. Vrain Creek watershed C-BT sources.
extends into the Indian Peaks Wilderness. The North
These water sources were treated at the City’s Nelson-
and South forks combine to form St. Vrain Creek near
Flanders Water Treatment Plant. The Wade Gaddis
the town of Lyons. The Highland Ditch is used to convey
Water Treatment Plant was not operated in the
water from the St. Vrain for treatment. During this
reporting year.
reporting year, 38% of Longmont’s water came from
North St. Vrain Creek and St. Vrain Creek. Water from
St. Vrain Creek below the Town of Lyons is conveyed
to Burch Lake by the Palmerton
Ditch. Burch Lake was not used Longmont’s
Watershed
during this reporting year.
Map
The Colorado and Fraser Rivers C-BT & Windy
Gap Project Rocky Mountain
National Park
in Grand County. These sources
Lake Granby
are delivered to Longmont via
the Colorado-Big Thompson
(C-BT) project, operated by the
Ralph Price
Northern Colorado Water Reservoir

Conservancy District. Water North St. Vrain

Creek
from reservoirs in Grand County South St. Vrain
Lyons Carter Lake
Creek

Nelson-Flan- St. Vrain

ders WTP Supply Canal

Burch Lake Wade Gaddis

WTP

LONGMONT

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W H AT ’ S I N T H E WAT E R

BEFORE TREATMENT?
The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams,
ponds, reservoirs, springs and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the
ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive materials, and can
pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity.

Contaminants that may be

present in source water include:
Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria,
which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic
systems, agricultural livestock operations and wildlife.
Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals,
which can be naturally occurring or result from urban
stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater
discharges, oil and gas production, mining or farming.
Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a
variety of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater
runoff and residential uses.
Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic
and volatile organic chemicals, which are byproducts of
industrial processes and petroleum production, and can
also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff
and septic systems.
Radioactive contaminants, which
can be naturally occurring or be the
result of oil and gas production and
mining activities.

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 W H AT A B O U T

LONGMONT’S WATER?
Longmont is fortunate to have high-quality water contaminant risks.
sources that originate in mountain watersheds. The
The City collects and tests samples of water throughout
North St. Vrain Creek watershed is mainly wilderness
the watershed as part of its watershed monitoring
and is affected only by naturally occurring elements.
program. Monitoring locations include reservoirs,
Water from the South St. Vrain Creek may be impacted
St. Vrain Creek and major tributaries. The watershed
by runoff from abandoned mines. The watersheds that
monitoring program provides important information
feed the C-BT project may contain contaminants related
on Longmont’s drinking water sources and assesses the
to recreation, wastewater treatment plant effluents
quality of water throughout the watershed. Information
and runoff from pastures. St. Vrain Creek below Lyons
on the water sources and upper watershed can be used
is transferred to the treatment plants by irrigation
to help with the operation of the City’s water treatment
ditches and can be affected by agricultural and livestock
plants to maintain our high quality drinking water.
activities.
Longmont is also participating in watershed monitoring
In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the that is being coordinated by the Northern Colorado
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prescribes Water Conservancy District (NCWCD) to evaluate test
regulations which limit the amount of certain methods and levels of emerging contaminants such
contaminants in water provided by Longmont and as pharmaceuticals, pesticides, hormones, etc. in
other public water systems. The City’s treatment plants our drinking water sources. More information on the
reduce any contaminants in the source waters to levels NCWCD study can be obtained from NCWCD at
that meet all Federal and State requirements. http://www.northernwater.org.
A Source Water Assessment Report for the City
of Longmont has been prepared by the Colorado
Department of Public Health and Environment
(CDPHE). A copy of the report can be obtained by
calling 303-651-8416 or by accessing the SWAP
website at https://www.colorado.gov/cdphe/swap.
The Source Water Assessment Report is a screening-
level evaluation of the likelihood that a potential
contamination problem could occur, not an indication
that potential contamination has occurred or will
occur. The assessment results are provided as a starting
point for public water systems to evaluate potential

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 HOW IS THE
WATER TREATED?
Last year, Longmont treated an average
of 19 MGD in the summer and 8 MGD
during the winter months.

Steps Involved in Water Treatment

1
1 Coagulation — Aluminum salts, powdered
activated carbon and chemicals called polymers are
mixed with the water to make the particles in the
water stick together. and to remove taste and odor
compounds.
2 Flocculation — The coagulated particles are
slowly mixed so that they can collide and form larger 2 3
particles, known as “floc.”
3 Sedimentation — Water flows through a large
tank which allows the “floc” to settle to the bottom
of the tank and be removed.
4 Filtration — Water is passed through filters
made of sand and anthracite coal to filter out
remaining particles. 4
5 Disinfection — Chlorine is added to kill
any remaining bacteria or other disease-causing
organisms.
6 Fluoridation — Fluoride is added to help
prevent tooth decay.

7 Stabilization — Small amounts of soda ash 5 6 7

(sodium carbonate) or sodium hydroxide are
added to make the water less corrosive to
pipes and plumbing.

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 WHAT ABOUT BOTTLED WATER? SPECIAL HEALTH CONCERNS
In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the Some people may be more vulnerable to
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prescribes contaminants in drinking water than the general
regulations which limit the amount of certain population. Immunocompromised persons such
contaminants in water provided by Longmont and as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy,
other public water systems. The Food and Drug persons who have undergone organ transplants,
Administration (FDA) limits are intended to provide people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system
consumers of bottled water with the same protection disorders, some elderly, and infants can be
for public health as other sources of drinking water. particularly at risk from infections. These people
However, the regulations and testing requirements should seek advice from their health care providers.
for contaminants in bottled water are much less EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen
stringent than for tap water. the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other
microbial contaminates are available from the Safe
Drinking water, including bottled water, may
Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.
reasonably be expected to contain at least small
amounts of some contaminants. The presence of
contaminants does not necessarily indicate that
LEAD IN DRINKING WATER
If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious
water poses a health risk. More information about
health problems, especially for pregnant women
contaminants and potential health effects can be
and young children. Lead in drinking water is
obtained by calling the Environmental Protection
primarily from material and components associated
Agency’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).
with service lines and home plumbing. The City of
Another source of information is the Natural Longmont is responsible for providing high quality
Resources Defense Council, which has tested many drinking water, but cannot control the variety of
brands of bottled water. The results of those tests are materials used in plumbing components. When your
available on the internet at water has been sitting for several hours, you can
https://www.nrdc.org/stories/truth-about-tap. minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing
your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using
water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned
about lead in your water, you may wish to have your
water tested. Information on lead in drinking water,
testing methods and steps you can take to minimize
exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water
Hotline (800-426-4791) or at
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

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W H AT I S I N
YOUR TAP WATER?
The City’s Water Quality Laboratory, which is State-certified,
performs many of the tests on your drinking water. Contract
labs are used for tests that the Water Quality Laboratory does
not do in-house. 11,030 tests were performed on the City’s
drinking water last year, 9,537 of which were performed
by the City’s Water Quality Laboratory. This ensures that
the water delivered to your tap meets the standards set by
the EPA and the Colorado Department of Public Health and
Environment (CDPHE).
Last year, as in years past, your tap water met all EPA and State
drinking water standards. The City of Longmont safeguards
its water supplies and once again, we are proud to report
that our system did not violate a maximum contaminant level
or any other drinking water standard. The following tables
show the most recent test results for Longmont’s water
and the federal and state requirements. The CDPHE allows
monitoring for some contaminants less than once per year
because the concentrations of those contaminants do not
change frequently. Some of the data in the tables, though
representative of our water, is more than one year old. Unless
otherwise noted, the results are from tests performed last
year.
Definitions of the technical terms in the tables are included at
the end of the tables.

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 TABLE I - DRINKING WATER QUALITY: REGULATED CONTAMINANTS
Table I shows the most recent test results for contaminants that were detected in Longmont’s drinking water and have limits set by
EPA or CDPHE regulations. Possible sources of the contaminants are noted in the last column. These are not necessarily the sources of
contaminants in Longmont’s water.

Probable Source of
Contaminant Range of Levels MCL MCLG
Contaminant
Inorganic and Physical
Discharge of drilling wastes; Discharge from
Barium1 0.01 ppm 2 ppm 2 ppm
metal refineries; Erosion of natural deposits
Erosion of natural deposits; water additive
Fluoride1 0.67 ppm 4 ppm 4 ppm that promotes strong teeth; Discharge from
fertilizer and aluminum factories
0.018 to 0.113 NTU 1.0 NTU and more than Not
Turbidity2 Soil runoff
100% of samples <0.3 NTU 95% of samples <0.3 NTU Applicable
Runoff from fertilizer use; Leaching from septic
Nitrate (NO3) 0.11 ppm 10 ppm 10 ppm
tanks, sewage; Erosion of natural deposits
Bacteria and Microorganisms
Treatment technique used to
Present in 0 out of 1,280 Not
Total Coliform Bacteria trigger follow-up assessments Naturally present in the environment
samples Applicable
of the water system.
E. coli Bacteria Not Detected 0% Present Human and animal waste
Disinfection and Disinfection Byproducts
99% of samples > 0.2 ppm in all Treatment Technique Requirement:
months At least 95% of samples per month > 0.2 ppm
Chlorine3 Water additive used to control microbes
0.14 to 1.43 ppm 4 ppm
4 ppm (MRDL)
Max Monthly Average= 1.04 ppm (MRDLG)
14.5 to 28.3 ppb
Total Haloacetic Acids 60 ppb 0 ppb Byproduct of drinking water disinfection
Max LRAA= 22.3 ppb
21.8 to 47.5 ppb
Total Trihalomethanes 80 ppb 0 ppb Byproduct of drinking water disinfection
Max LRAA= 34.4 ppb
Radioactivity
Alpha Emitters1 <3 pCi/L 15 pCi/L 0 pCi/L Erosion of natural deposits
Uranium1 <1 ppb 30 ppb 0 ppb Erosion of natural deposits
Combined Radium
<2 pCi/L 5 pCi/L 0 pCi/L Erosion of natural deposits
(226+228)1
Total Organic Carbon Source Water: 2.48 to 4.63 ppm
Average= 3.23 ppm
TOC is a measure of the effectiveness of a treatment
Total Organic Carbon Treated Water: 1.15 to 1.81 ppm
technique used by the water treatment plant to Naturally present in the environment
(TOC) Average= 1.30 ppm
remove organic material.4
Removal: 49.6% to 65.3%
Average= 59.2%

TABLE II - DRINKING WATER QUALITY: CORROSION CONTROL

The City began a corrosion control program in 1987 to reduce lead and copper levels. Sodium carbonate or sodium hydroxide is added
at the treatment plants to adjust pH and alkalinity of the water and reduce its corrosiveness.

Parameter Range of Levels Action Level (AL) MCLG Probable Source

90th percentile= 1.27 ppb Corrosion of household plumbing systems;
Lead 90th percentile: 15 ppb 0 ppb
Max= 3.01 ppb Erosion of natural deposits
90th percentile= 0.063 ppm Corrosion of household plumbing systems;
Copper 90th percentile: 1.3 ppm 1.3 ppm
Max= 0.102 ppm Erosion of natural deposits
7.8 to 8.9 SU
pH
Average= 8.2 SU
26.8 to 35.7 ppm
Alkalinity
Average= 29.7 ppm

1
Per State monitoring requirements, Inorganic and Physical Metals last tested in 2020, and Radioactivity last tested in 2021.
2
Turbidity is a measure of water clarity and is used to monitor treatment plant performance and interference with the disinfection process.
3
Chlorine. More than 95% of the samples taken in the City’s distribution system in any month must have a residual chlorine level at or above 0.2 mg/L.
4
The required TOC removal is based on alkalinity of the water. For Longmont, the required level of TOC removal ranges between 35% and 45%.

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 TABLE III - DRINKING WATER QUALITY: ADDITIONAL COMPOUNDS
Table III shows test results for parameters that do not have a specific MCL.

Parameter Range of Levels Probable Source

Inorganic and Physical
Sodium 10.9 to 15.1 ppm Erosion of natural deposits and added during treatment
Average= 12.9 ppm
Calcium 5.71 to 7.22 ppm Erosion of natural deposits
Average= 6.38 ppm
Magnesium <1 to 1.4 ppm Erosion of natural deposits
Average of Detected Results= 1.2 ppm
Aluminium 22.4 to 42.5 ppb Erosion of natural deposits and byproduct of the drinking water treatment
Average of Detected Results= 29 ppb process
Total Hardness 18 to 23 ppm Erosion of natural deposits
Average= 21 ppm

Organic Chemicals
Chloroform 19.2 to 43.4 ppb Byproduct of drinking water chlorination
Average= 26.7 ppb
Dichloroacetic acid 6.5 to 13.8 ppb Byproduct of drinking water chlorination
Average= 10.0 ppb
Bromodichloromethane 2.4 to 4.1 ppb Byproduct of drinking water chlorination
Average= 2.9 ppb
Trichloroacetic acid 7.6 to 14.6 ppb Byproduct of drinking water chlorination
Average= 10.5 ppb

The Safe Drinking Water Act requires that once every five years the EPA issue a list of unregulated contaminants to be monitored by public water systems. The fifth Unregulated
Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 5) required sample collection for 29 PFAS compounds and lithium. Results for all contaminants were below the laboratory’s minimum reporting
level. For more information please visit www.epa.gov/dwucmr/fifth-unregulated-contaminant-monitoring-rule.

Definitions of terms

90th percentile: 90% of the samples were below this level. MRDL — Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level: The ppb — parts per billion: A measure of concentration of a
AL — Action Level: The concentration of a contaminant highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. contaminant. Comparable to one penny in $10,000,000.
which, if exceeded triggers treatment or other There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant ppm — parts per million: A measure of concentration of a
requirements which a water system must follow. is necessary for control of microbial contaminants. contaminant. Comparable to one penny in $10,000.
LRAA — Locational Running Annual Average: The average MRDLG — Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal: ppt – parts per trillion: A measure of concentration
of analytical results for samples taken at a particular The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which of a contaminant. Comparable to one penny in
monitoring location during the previous four calendar there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs $10,000,000,000.
quarters. do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to
control microbial contaminants. SU — Standard Units: The unit of measure for pH. A pH of
MCL — Maximum Contaminant Level: The highest level 7 SU is considered neutral. A pH less than 7 is acidic and a
of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs NFWTP: Nelson Flanders Water Treatment Plant pH greater than 7 is basic.
are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best NTU — Nephelometric Turbidity Unit: Used to describe Treatment Technique: A required process intended to
available treatment technology. the cloudiness of water. reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.
MCLG — Maximum Contaminant Level Goal: The level pCi/L — PicoCuries per Liter: As a measure of radioactivity. WGWTP: Wade Gaddis Water Treatment Plant
of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is pH — The measure of how acidic or basic the water is,
no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a reported in Standard Units (SU). See SU definition for more
margin of safety. information.

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 F R E Q U E N T LY A S K E D

QUESTIONS
Who should I contact if I have concerns
My water smells and tastes like chlorine. about taste, odor or color in the water?
Why? What can I do about it? The City’s Water Quality Laboratory responds to water
All municipal water providers are required by Federal and quality concerns and questions. You may call the lab at
State regulations to disinfect their water and maintain a 303-651-8416 for any additional information.
residual level of disinfectant throughout the distribution
system. In Longmont, the chlorine levels are set at the My water sometimes has a yellow or brown color.
water treatment plants, which are closer to the northwest What’s causing this and what can I do about it?
portion of the City’s distribution system. If you live in one The yellow or brown water is usually caused by flushing of
of the neighborhoods on the north or west side of the the distribution system. Flushing of the distribution system is
City, chlorine may be more noticeable than in other parts done at least once a year, typically in April, to maintain water
of town. If you find the taste or odor objectionable, you quality and to ensure that fire hydrants are operational. The
can use after-market filters or simply let the water sit for a flushing schedules are posted in the newspaper and on the
period of time to dissipate the chlorine. City’s website. Local flushing may be done at any time of the
year to address specific problem areas. Color in the water
Is Longmont’s water supply adequate to meet the from flushing operations is temporary and not harmful.
demands of growth and drought in the future? The City recommends that you limit water use and avoid
City Council has adopted a benchmark for supply that the use of hot water while flushing is being done in your
calls for maintaining sufficient water supplies to meet neighborhood. The color can often be eliminated by letting
water demands for 10 years into the future in a 100-year your cold water run for several minutes.
drought. In addition, 10% of our future water supply is
anticipated to come through conservation measures, a goal I think the water tastes or smells different in the
that is supported by the conservation practices outlined summer and winter, why?
in the City’s Raw Water Master Plan and the conservation The changes in taste or odor usually occur in late spring
strategies outlined in the Water Efficiency Master Plan. and early winter and are a result of different combinations
The City also has a water policy (adopted in 1963) that of water sources that are used to meet seasonal demands.
requires growth to “pay its own way” with respect to water. The sources are discussed in the “Where Longmont Gets
Developers of land annexed to the City are required to Its Water” section of this report. The water that is used
provide the water needed to serve the development. The to meet summer demands generally has higher mineral
City’s existing water resources, the conservation goals and content and some people notice the difference when the
application of the water policy have resulted in a water water plants change sources.
supply that exceeds demand and meets the City’s drought
benchmark. For more information on water conservation I have white particles in my water that clog my
or the City’s water supply, visit the Longmont Water faucet aerators or settle to the bottom of a glass.
Conservation webpage at bit.ly/Longmont-Water-Matters. What are these and are they harmful?
White particles in your water may be caused by
deterioration of the “dip” tube in your hot water heater.
The dip tube is a plastic tube that feeds the cold water to
the water heater. The particles are not toxic. You can test
for this problem by taking the following steps:
• Remove your faucet aerator.
• Fill pans or your sink separately with cold and hot
water.
• Look for white particles that settle to the bottom. If the
particles only show up in the hot water, the problem is
in your water heater. Either the dip tube or the heater
will need to be replaced.
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 Longmont are below the action levels in the drinking water
Is Longmont’s water soft or hard? regulations, as shown in the tables in this report. The City
Longmont’s water is soft and typically contains only 1-2 performs lead testing as per drinking water regulations, and
grains per gallon of hardness, a very small amount of is prepared to meet all future regulations regarding lead
dissolved minerals. A water softener is not recommended. and copper.

Why is my water cloudy when it comes out of the Does Longmont test its water for pharmaceuticals
tap but clears up after several seconds? or other similar chemicals?
This is caused by small bubbles of air that are dissolved Longmont has tested for chemicals in the St. Vrain
in the water. Some air is already in the water delivered to watershed and is also participating in a testing program led
your tap and more can be added by aerators in faucets. by Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District, which
During the winter, when tap water is colder, there is more manages the Colorado-Big Thompson water supplies. Trace
dissolved air in the water; as the water warms up, there concentrations of a few chemicals have been found in the
will be bubbles which clear from the bottom to the top of water sources. The sources and significance of these trace
the glass. If the water stays cloudy even after it has been levels is unknown. Longmont will continue to monitor
in a glass for several minutes, please call 303-651-8416 for scientific and medical information related to the effects
additional information. of pharmaceuticals and other similar chemicals in our
source water. There is currently no evidence that these
There has been a lot of recent publicity chemicals have any adverse effects on humans at the very
concerning the oil and gas industry’s practice low levels that have been detected. Longmont is fortunate
of hydraulic fracturing or “fracking” and its to have water from rural and mountain watersheds that
potential effect on water supplies. Is Longmont’s are not affected by urban land uses that could be a source
drinking water affected by fracking? of chemical contaminants. If you have questions, please call
Longmont obtains its water from rural and mountain Utilities & Public Works at 303-651-8416.
watersheds that are not affected by the impact of oil and
gas drilling operations. As discussed in the “What about Is the water tested for contaminants other than
Longmont’s Water?” section of this report, actual and those listed in the Tables in this report?
potential pollutant sources in our watershed are identified Longmont tests for many other contaminants not listed in
in a source water assessment that was completed by the this report. The Water Quality Laboratory samples and tests
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment for over 50 compounds, including organics, inorganics and
(CDPHE). Neither CDPHE nor the City has found any sources metals. The most recent tests showed no detectable levels
of contamination of our water supplies from oil and gas of these contaminants in Longmont’s water.
wells. In addition, all of our drinking water sources are
surface water, not groundwater. Groundwater is more likely
to be impacted by drilling or well operations. The Colorado
Energy and Carbon Management Commission (ECMC) has
much more information on its website about the oil and
gas industry, including locations of wells and discussions
of hydraulic fracturing and water quality. For more
information, please visit http://ecmc.state.co.us.

What is the City doing to monitor lead

in drinking water?
The City of Longmont is aware of upcoming adjustments to
lead and copper regulations. Currently, lead and copper
monitoring requires evaluation of a combination of
residences with either a lead component or copper pipe
with lead solder. At this time, the City is not aware of any
customers with service lines that are entirely made of lead.
Any service connections that could have lead components
are being replaced as the City renews water distribution
lines as part of its ongoing water line replacement program.
The City’s water treatment corrosion control program
minimizes corrosion of plumbing in homes. The
concentrations of lead in samples taken throughout

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 What are Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl My water has a swampy or fishy smell. What’s
Substances (PFAS) and have they been found in causing this and what can I do about it?
Longmont’s drinking water? Algae are a source of compounds that cause taste and
PFAS are a family of human-made chemicals that are odor and the type and quantity of algae vary in the
found in a wide range of products used by consumers and water sources throughout the year. Water treatment
industry that resist heat, oil, stains, grease and water. does not completely remove all of these compounds.
Examples of these products are stain resistant carpets, Activated carbon is used at the water plants at certain
non-stick pans, water repellant and fire retardant times of the year to reduce taste and odor. These taste
clothing, food packaging, and high temperature firefighting and odor issues do not necessarily indicate the water
foam. There are thousands of different PFAS, is unsafe to consume.
some of which have been more widely used and studied
than others.

In 2013, as part of EPA’s Unregulated Contaminant

Monitoring Rule (UCMR), Longmont monitored for 6 PFAS
compounds. In 2020, in an effort to protect public health
Where can I get
and understand PFAS concentrations in drinking water more information?
throughout the State, the CDPHE coordinated a voluntary
effort to monitor for 18 PFAS compounds in drinking Visit our website at:
water. Longmont participated in this effort and, in LongmontColorado.gov/Water
addition to sampling treated drinking water, also sampled for Water Utilities, Water Resources,
each untreated water source prior to treatment. Testing Drinking Water Quality and Water
methods for these compounds continue to become more Conservation
sensitive, and thus far, PFAS have not been detected in
Longmont’s treated drinking water. As part of the 2023 Utilities and Public Works
UCMR, the City sampled and tested for 29 additional PFAS Customer Service Center:
compunds. None of the PFAS compounds were detected. 303-651-8416

Longmont will continue to monitor ongoing research

regarding the testing methodology and effects of PFAS on
human health and the environment. Providing high
quality drinking water, and being proactive in doing so, is
extremely important.

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CommUNITY TAKE THE
Partners Needed SURVEY TODAY

The City of Longmont takes pride in delivering safe, clean drinking water to every person
in our community. As your local water experts, we know how lead materials can affect our
water quality and our people. We are committed to eliminating any existing lead materials
in our water distribution system, but we need your help.

For more information about the health effects of lead, see page 5.

GATHER Typically, Longmont is responsible for the public side (the

We are currently developing a list of materials for all water water lines we maintain shown in yellow below), not the
service lines in our community. Please complete the survey private side (our customer’s water lines shown in orange).
at bit.ly/COL-service-line-material-survey or use the QR We hope to break down that barrier to build a complete
code on this page to participate in future water quality picture of the system.
initiatives. These water quality initiatives may include
ENGAGE
requesting an at-home kit for sample collection and analysis
Together, our proactive engagement will bring unity to our
or conducting an in-home inspection to identify your
water system, protecting our community for generations.
service line material.
Your survey response will be collected to help Longmont
BUILD understand more about the materials in our system.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will require
IMPLEMENT
this information from every utility; however, we are taking
Every survey response is a step closer to a fully
a proactive approach by including you in the process. Your
implemented action plan. This action plan includes
participation ensures your voice is heard and your family is
sampling, communication, and verification for residential,
protected.
commercial, schools, and childcare facilities. Your
household’s participation may be the key to eliminating
lead if it exists in our community.
FAQ: Is lead an issue in our community?
No; the traces of lead detected in our system are well
below the EPA’s action and trigger levels (refer to page 7 for
sampling results).

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303-651-8416 12
 START CONSERVING!

LONGMONT The City offers rebates and programs to make conserving

WATER water easier for you! Information about our educational

programs, including Waterwise Yard Seminars, Sprinkler
FAST FACTS
Assessments and rebates for water-efficient fixtures can
be found on our website. We also provide opportunities and
4.54 billion incentives to save water at your home with our Garden in
gallons were treated a Box and Lawn Replacement programs. Conserving water
at your home helps you save money and helps maintain our
during the year.
water supply for the future. Additional information about
water conservation and our programs can be found at:
bit.ly/water-matters or call us at 303-651-8416.
672 million
gallons were treated
in the peak month
of July.

26.4 million
gallons were treated
on the peak day.

11,030 tests General Water Questions?

were done on the Call Utilites & Public Works at 303-651-8416 or check our website
at LongmontColorado.gov/water.
drinking water.
Interested in Public Meetings?
The City of Longmont City Council meets on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. at
the Civic Center, 350 Kimbark Street. There are two citizen boards
that advise City Council on water issues: the Water Board and
the Sustainability Advisory Board. For more information on board
meeting times and locations, please visit
bit.ly/Boards_and_Committees.

Este folleto contiene informacíon importante

sobre la calidad del agua en su comuniddad.
Para solicitar el informe anual de calidad
del agua potable de Longmont en Español,
marque 303-651-8416.
13 Longmont Drinking Water Quality Report
303-651-8416
STORMWATER To learn more about stormwater quality:
MESSAGE www.KeepItCleanPartnership.org or bit.ly/stormwater-quality-program

When you take care of your garden

ARE YOU TAKING CARE
OF OUR WATER?
Well-kept gardens and yards beautify our neighborhoods
and improve property values, but how you maintain them can cause
pollution of our creeks and waterways.

Grass clippings, leaves, Avoid over-watering, which can carry Sweep or blow grass clippings
fertilizer, pesticides and pollutants from your lawn, sidewalk and driveway back onto the lawn or vegetated areas or
other pollutants from into the storm sewer. Adjusting sprinklers so dispose of them as compost or trash. Don’t leave
that you’re not watering the street, sidewalk or them on the street, sidewalk, driveway or gutter.
your yard can end up on
driveway also helps conserve water! Compost or recycle leaves and other yard waste.
driveways, sidewalks, streets
and gutters where they can
be washed into a storm
drain by rain, snowmelt, or If you use a lawn or
water from sprinklers. Storm pest control service,
drains empty into St. Vrain ask them about their
environmental options and
Creek without any treatment,
certifications and make
so whatever is in the sure they follow these and
stormwater can harm aquatic other best management
life and affect downstream practices that will protect
uses. Allowing pollutants human health and the
environment.
to get into the storm sewer
system is like dumping them
directly into the creek.

Here are some things Do not apply fertilizers, pesticides Avoid using
or herbicides to areas where they can be combination fertilizer/
that you can do to keep washed into the gutter or storm sewer by rain or weed killer products.
pollutants from your sprinklers, or when moderate to heavy rain or Hand pick weeds when
garden and yard out of wind is forecast. Use pesticides, herbicides and possible, and if you
the storm sewer system fertilizers sparingly and according to directions. must use chemicals, spot
and our creeks: Using the wrong chemicals can damage apply them only where
plants or kill beneficial bugs and they are needed. Do not apply
animals. chemicals to bare soil or
impervious surfaces such
as sidewalks, driveways
or streets.

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