In today’s world, we are overwhelmed with information about the kind of water we should be drinking. Some companies claim tap water is unsafe and the water we drink should be filtered or bottled. It’s hard to know what to believe, but a good place to start is with your local water provider.
It’s important to first understand what is – and isn’t – in the water delivered to your home. Water utilities are required to regularly publish water quality reports that show levels of minerals and other substances in the water they deliver to your tap. You can see ours here.
Colorado Springs Utilities, like all public water systems, is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). The SDWA sets maximum limits for nearly 100 different man-made and naturally occurring contaminants that can appear in water. These limits were established after thorough evaluation of scientific literature and peer-reviewed studies, including consultation with subject matter experts around the world.
We consistently meet and often exceed SDWA standards. Our larger goal is always to reach zero contaminants, regardless of the regulations or suggested standards.
Yet there are groups that argue federal regulations are not rigorous enough to ensure water is safe to drink. How much weight should you give their arguments? The answer isn’t as clear as you might think. That’s because the science of human health is extremely complex. Data and studies concerning the maximum limits of potential contaminates in water are often ambiguous and even contradictory, especially when evaluating potential effects at extremely low levels – we’re talking parts per billion or trillion.
Some would argue that we should treat our water to the standards suggested by these non-regulatory groups. However, there are a few significant concerns to this approach. First, ramping up treatment beyond SDWA standards often removes not only the trace amount of contaminates, but also essential minerals that are good for the body and give our water its delicious taste. Low-mineral water also tends to be more corrosive and can destroy plumbing and fixtures.
The second drawback, simply put, is cost. Scaling this level of treatment to the municipal level comes with a hefty price tag. We must balance our responsibility to provide clean, safe drinking water with our fiscal responsibility to provide water at affordable rates for all customers.
As laboratory scientists and technicians who perform thousands of tests on your drinking water every year, we believe the science behind the Safe Drinking Water Act is sound. For individuals who feel that it doesn’t go far enough, a water filter in your home may bring peace of mind. Just be aware there are dozens of types of filters and filtration systems on the market that work in different ways, target different contaminants and have varying levels of effectiveness. It’s important to first understand the basic constituents of your water, identify any of concern, then purchase a filter specifically designed to remove it. We also advise purchasing filters that have been independently tested and verified to be effective.
As water science evolves and we deepen our understanding of how different water constituents impact human health, we will be ready to meet any new standards that may be implemented. We work continuously to identify and implement cost-effective ways to improve water quality across our system, resulting in the great tasting water we deliver to you every day for pennies a gallon.