ACWWA Conducts Regular Lead and Copper Testing to Help Ensure Safe Drinking Water 

It’s important to know, like all public water systems in Colorado, ACWWA regularly tests for lead within its service area.  Tests for lead and copper were conducted in September of 2016, per the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s (CDPHE) regulations and results were in compliance. 

Lead is rarely present in water supplies.  ACWWA’s water lines/pipelines do not contain lead, and water treatment processes do not introduce lead into the water. Lead, however, can enter drinking water primarily as a result of materials in a household’s plumbing if it contains lead or copper plumbing with lead soldering. Lead solder was present in construction between 1982 and 1987, and lead pipes may have been present in much older homes.

Local schools have been testing their facilities for lead and we have contacted those schools to offer assistance. We understand from the school district, most schools in our service area’s water tests for lead are coming in well within acceptable limits. Upon discovering one school with higher than acceptable lead levels in some of its water samples we have been in contact with the school to offer any assistance they may need.

The EPA Guidelines for Schools suggests the following questions be directed to the local water supplier (ACWWA), Here are those guidelines and responses:

1. Ask for a copy of the most recent annual Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report). Links to copies of these reports are available at the bottom of this page.
2. Is the water system in compliance with federal and state standards monitoring and treatment? Yes, ACWWA is in compliance with the CDPHE Regulation 11 Lead and Copper Rule.
3. What steps have been taken to maintain compliance with lead and copper rule?  ACWWA controls PH and Hardness, through enhanced process monitoring, which occurs on a monthly basis, to ensure water chemistry is properly balanced.
4. Does the utility have sample results from the school?  ACWWA has the sample results which were provided to us by the Cherry Creek School District.
5. Is the water corrosive?  If so, what is the system doing to minimize corrosion?  No, ACWWA’s water is not corrosive due to natural occurring hardness in the water.
6. If a corrosion control chemical is used, does the chemical form a protective coating inside the piping?  ACWWA does not use a corrosion control chemical due to natural occurring hardness in the water.
7. Does the water distribution system have any lead piping (for example, lead gooseneck at service connections), and does the system plan to remove these sources of lead?  ACWWA does not have any lead piping in its service district.

ACWWA is regularly in contact with the CDPHE and EPA to maintain State compliance.   As a result of improved technology we have increased our monitoring and process control sampling to help ensure the water’s chemistry is properly balanced.

For more information regarding “Reducing Lead in Drinking Water in Schools” please click here.

To review our Water Quality, Consumer Confidence Reports please use the links below:
ACWWA Drinking Water Quality Report
Elkhorn Drinking Water Quality Report