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YOUR WATER!
The City of Longmont is
pleased to present the 2018
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 that we did not have any drinking water violations last year.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
If you prefer to receive this report in printed format, please call 303-651-8416.
WHERE LONGMONT
The St. Vrain Creek watershed includes North and Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District. Water
South St. Vrain Creeks, and St. Vrain Creek. The North from reservoirs in Grand County flows through the
St. Vrain Creek watershed includes wilderness areas and Adams Tunnel and is delivered to Longmont through
portions of Rocky Mountain National Park. Ralph Price Carter Lake via the St. Vrain Supply Canal and Southern
Reservoir is used to store water from North St. Vrain Water Supply Pipeline. During this reporting year, 51%
Creek. The South St. Vrain Creek watershed extends of Longmont’s water came from C-BT sources.
into the Indian Peaks Wilderness. The North and South
forks combine to form St. Vrain Creek near the town These water sources were treated at the City’s Nelson-
of Lyons. The Highland Ditch is used to convey water Flanders water treatment plant. The Wade Gaddis water
from the St. Vrain for treatment. During this reporting treatment plant was not operated in the reporting year.
year, 49% of Longmont’s water came from North St.
Vrain Creek and St. Vrain Creek.
Water from St. Vrain Creek below Longmont’s
the Town of Lyons is conveyed Watershed
Map
to Burch Lake by the Palmerton
C-BT & Windy
Rocky Mountain
Ditch. Burch Lake was not used Gap Project
National Park
Longmont
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.
LONGMONT’S WATER?
Longmont is fortunate to have high quality water that potential contamination has occurred or will
sources that originate in mountain watersheds. The occur. The assessment results are provided as a starting
North St. Vrain Creek watershed is mainly wilderness point for public water systems to evaluate potential
and is affected only by naturally-occurring elements. contaminant risks.
Water from the South St. Vrain Creek may be impacted
by runoff from abandoned mines. The watersheds The City collects and tests samples of water throughout
that feed the C-BT project may contain contaminants the watershed as part of its watershed monitoring
related to recreation, wastewater treatment plant program. Monitoring locations include reservoirs, St.
effluents and runoff from pastures. St. Vrain Creek Vrain Creek and portions of the City’s storm drainage
below Lyons is transferred to the treatment plants by system. The watershed monitoring program provides
irrigation ditches and can be affected by agricultural important information on Longmont’s drinking water
and livestock activities. sources and assesses the quality of water throughout
the watershed. Information on the water sources
In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the and upper watershed can be used to help with the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prescribes operation of the City’s water treatment plants to
regulations which limit the amount of certain maintain our high quality drinking water. Longmont
contaminants in water provided by Longmont and is also participating in watershed monitoring that is
other public water systems. The City’s treatment being coordinated by the Northern Colorado Water
plants reduce any contaminants in the source waters Conservancy District (NCWCD) to evaluate test
to levels that meet, and usually surpass, all Federal and methods and levels of emerging contaminants such
State requirements. as pharmaceuticals, pesticides, hormones, etc. in our
drinking water sources. More information on the
A Source Water Assessment Report for the City NCWCD study can be obtained from NCWCD at
of Longmont has been prepared by the Colorado http://www.northernwater.org.
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/
source-water-assessment-and-protection-swap.
The Source Water Assessment Report is a screening-
level evaluation of the likelihood that a potential
contamination problem could occur, not an indication
WATER TREATED?
Last year, Longmont treated an average of 24 MGD in the
summer and 7 MGD during the winter months.
Last year, as in years past, your tap water met all EPA and
State drinking water health 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 water quality standard. The following tables
show the most recent test results for Longmont’s water and
the federal and state requirements. The CDPHE permits
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.
Contaminant Range of Levels Action Level (AL) MCLG Probable Source of Contaminant
Lead 90th percentile = 1.9 ppb 15 ppb 0 ppb Lead and copper in drinking water mainly comes from
Max = 6.5 ppb corrosion of plumbing and fixtures.
Copper 90th percentile = 0.078 ppm 1.3 ppm 1.3 ppm Lead and copper in drinking water mainly comes from
Max = 0.093 ppm corrosion of plumbing and fixtures.
Organic Chemicals
Chloroform 22.9 to 39.8 ppb Byproduct of drinking water chlorination
Average = 30.7 ppb
Dichloroacetic acid 7.7 to 10.7 ppb Byproduct of drinking water chlorination
Average = 9.0 ppb
Bromodichloromethane 1.9 to 3.1 ppb Byproduct of drinking water chlorination
Average = 2.5 ppb
Trichloroacetic acid 8.0 to 12.7 ppb Byproduct of drinking water chlorination
Average = 10.6 ppb
Treated Water
Manganese 0.93 to 3.6 ppb At this time, the recommended health reference Naturally present in the environment and essential nutrient used in fertilizer,
Average = 2.5 ppb concentration is 300 ppb. The aesthetic (non-health steel production, batteries, fireworks and in drinking water and wastewater
based) recommended concentration is 50 ppb. treatment plants.
Dichloroacetic acid 7.73 to 15.0 ppb MCL for total haloacetic acids is 60 ppb. Byproduct of drinking water chlorination.
Average = 10.2 ppb
Trichloroacetic acid 9.4 to 14.0 ppb MCL for total haloacetic acids is 60 ppb. Byproduct of drinking water chlorination.
Average = 12.1 ppb
Bromochloroacetic acid 0.62 to 0.99 ppb There is no health reference concentration Byproduct of drinking water chlorination.
Average = 0.79 ppb for this compound.
Bromodichloroacetic acid 0.54 to 1.2 ppb There is no health reference concentration Byproduct of drinking water chlorination.
Average = 0.87 ppb for this compound.
Chlorodibromoacetic acid 0.30 to 0.31 ppb There is no health reference concentration Byproduct of drinking water chlorination.
Average= 0.31 ppb for this compound.
1
Per State monitoring requirements, Inorganic and Physical Metals last tested in 2012, and Radioactivity last tested in 2012.
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%.
5
Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate was detected but below the MCL of 6 ppb; the action required is quarterly monitoring.
QUESTIONS
taste, odor or color in the water?
The City’s Water Quality Laboratory responds to water quality
concerns and questions. You may call the lab at 303-651-8666
for any additional information.
My water smells and tastes like chlorine. My water sometimes has a yellow or brown color.
Why? What can I do about it? What’s causing this and what can I do about it?
All municipal water providers are required by Federal and State The yellow or brown water is usually caused by flushing of
regulations to disinfect their water and maintain a residual the distribution system. Flushing of the distribution system is
level of disinfectant throughout the distribution system. In done at least once a year, typically in April, to maintain water
Longmont, the chlorine levels are set at the water treatment quality and to ensure that fire hydrants are operational. The
plants, which are closer to the northwest portion of the City’s flushing schedules are posted in the newspaper and on the
distribution system. If you live in one of the neighborhoods City’s website. Local flushing may be done at any time of the
on the north or west side of the City, chlorine may be more year to address specific problem areas. Color in the water from
noticeable than in other parts of town. If you find the taste or flushing operations is temporary and not harmful. The City
odor objectionable, you can use after-market filters or simply recommends that you limit water use and avoid the use of hot
let the water sit for a period of time to dissipate the chlorine. water while flushing is being done in your neighborhood. The
color can often be eliminated by letting your cold water run
My water has a swampy or fishy smell. for several minutes.
What’s causing this and what can I do about it?
Algae are a source of compounds that cause taste and odor I think the water tastes or smells different in the
and the type and quantity of algae vary in the water sources summer and winter, why?
throughout the year. Water treatment does not completely The changes in taste or odor usually occur in late spring and
remove all of these compounds. Activated carbon is used at early winter and are a result of different combinations of water
the water plants at certain times of the year to reduce taste and sources that are used to meet seasonal demands. The sources
odor. Regardless of the taste or smell, the water is always safe are discussed in the “Where Longmont Gets Its Water” section
to drink and meets or exceeds all federal and state standards. of this report. The water that is used to meet summer demands
generally has higher mineral content and some people notice
Is Longmont’s water supply adequate to meet the the difference when the water plants change sources.
demands of growth and drought in the future?
City Council has adopted a benchmark for supply that calls for I have white particles in my water that clog my
maintaining sufficient water supplies to meet water demands faucet aerators or settle to the bottom of a glass.
for 10 years into the future in a 100-year drought. In addition, What are these and are they harmful?
10% of our future water supply is anticipated to come White particles in your water may be caused by deterioration
through conservation measures, a goal that is supported by of the “dip” tube in your hot water heater. The dip tube is a
the conservation practices outlined in the City’s Sustainability plastic tube that feeds the cold water to the water heater. The
Plan and the conservation strategies outlined in the Water particles are not toxic. You can test for this problem by taking
Efficiency Plan. The City also has a water policy (adopted in the following steps:
1963) that requires growth to “pay its own way” with respect • Remove your faucet aerator.
to water. Developers of land annexed to the City are required • Fill pans or your sink separately with cold and hot water.
to provide the water needed to serve the development. The • Look for white particles that settle to the bottom. If the
City’s existing water resources, the conservation goals and particles only show up in the hot water, the problem is in
application of the water policy have resulted in a water supply your water heater. Either the dip tube or the heater will need
that exceeds demand and meets the City’s drought benchmark. to be replaced.
For more information on water conservation or the City’s
water supply, call 303-651-8416. Is Longmont’s water soft or hard?
Longmont’s water is soft and typically contains only 1-2
grains per gallon of hardness, a very small amount of dissolved
minerals. A water softener is not recommended.
31.7 million
gallons were used Questions?
Call Public Works and Natural Resources at 303-651-8416 or check
on the peak day. our website at LongmontColorado.gov/water.
By following these tips, you are helping USE DRY CLEAN-UP Pharmaceutical Take Back Events
create a more sustainable Longmont. METHODS! bit.ly/takeback-rx
Learn more at
bit.ly/sustainability-longmont
QUALITY KeepItCleanPartnership.org