Is Aurora Water Quality Good Enough to Drink?

What Is the Current Water Quality Status in Aurora, CO?

According to the City of Aurora’s 2024 Consumer Confidence Report, Aurora’s tap water “meets or exceeds all state and federal drinking water standards.” These standards are enforced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA.gov) and by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE.colorado.gov). 

This means that average levels of contaminants are below the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL). For example, the report explains that Cryptosporidium may be present in the source water, “but it has never been detected in our treated water.”

Where Can I Access Official Water Quality Reports?

All public water systems in the U.S. are required to publish a water quality report every year. You can find the City of Aurora’s most recent water quality reports here, including a copy of the 2024 report in Spanish. 

Some residents may need more detailed information than others. As the City explains, “Beer brewers and fish tank owners often need more information about our water than the EPA requires us to report,” so you can check their website for daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly updates. 

As of late 2024, Aurora’s water had moderately hard water, with average calcium levels of 35.8 parts per million (ppm) and manganese levels of 1.03 ppm, due to erosion of natural deposits. It also had average sulfate levels of 69 ppm, and 215 ppm of total dissolved solids (TDS), which can mean moderately high turbidity.

How Clean is Aurora’s Water Supply?

Aurora’s water comes primarily from surface water sources, including snowmelt, and is stored in up to 12 lakes and reservoirs before it’s treated. Aurora also gets some of its water from the South Platte River and around 5% from groundwater wells. 

Surface water resources are more susceptible to some types of contaminants than groundwater resources, such as stormwater runoff and pesticide discharge. 

The latest source water assessment from the state of Colorado found that Aurora’s water resources have “moderately high” susceptibility, with existing and abandoned mine sites presenting the most cause for concern.

How Does Aurora Treat Its Drinking Water?

The City of Aurora has three water treatment plants: the Griswold, Wemlinger, and Peter D. Binney Water Purification Facilities, all of which have earned a Phase IV “Excellence in Treatment” award from the Partnership for Safe Water (PSW). 

All of the plants have a multi-step treatment process that may include: 

●      Coagulation

●      Flocculation

●      Sedimentation

●      Biological filtration

●      Disinfection

●      Water softening

●      UV filtration

●      Activated carbon filtration 

The City of Aurora also adds fluoride to its drinking water to prevent tooth decay, with average levels of 0.72 ppm in line with public health guidelines.

What Are the Most Common Contaminants Found in Aurora’s Water Supply?

The City of Aurora conducts over 85,000 water tests every year to check for more than 150 contaminants. Although all regulated contaminants are below the EPA’s legal limit, some contaminants may exceed other public health recommendations, such as those proposed by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). 

Here are six contaminants to be aware of in Aurora’s drinking water.

Arsenic

Arsenic is a naturally occurring chemical often found in groundwater resources in some parts of the U.S. At high doses, it poses several health concerns and dangers, such as neurological issues and endocrine system damage. 

Aurora’s arsenic levels are well within the EPA’s limit of 10 parts per billion (ppb), but exceed the EWG’s recommended maximum by 106 times: 

●      EPA maximum allowance: 10 ppb

●      EWG recommended maximum: 0.004 ppb

●      Aurora maximum contaminant level: 0.423 ppb

Chromium (hexavalent)

Chromium-6 (hexavalent chromium), is another toxic chemical associated with adverse health effects, including some types of cancer. It was previously overlooked, but now it’s widely known, thanks to Erin Brockovich’s legal advocacy in Hinkley, CA. 

There’s no legal limit for chromium-6, but many public health organizations recommend a maximum of 0.02 ppb, which Aurora’s tap water exceeds by 18 times: 

●      EPA maximum allowance: No legal limit

●      EWG recommended maximum: 0.02 ppb

●      Aurora maximum contaminant level: 0.363 ppb

Haloacetic acids (HAA9)

Haloacetic acids are a group of disinfection byproducts that are formed during the water treatment process but linger in the tap water afterwards. In excessive quantities, they’re associated with an increased cancer risk and harm to fetal development. 

When measured as a group of nine (HAA9), there’s no legal limit, but the EWG has a recommended maximum of 0.06 ppb, which Aurora exceeds by 361 times: 

●      EPA maximum allowance: No legal limit

●      EWG recommended maximum: 0.06 ppb

●      Aurora maximum contaminant level: 21.6 ppb

Nitrate

Nitrate is a chemical found in fertilizer that often contaminates surface water supplies due to agricultural runoff. Nitrate exposure is linked to some cancers and can cause developmental issues in babies and fetuses. 

Aurora’s nitrate levels are well below the EPA’s maximum, but still exceed the EWG’s recommendation by 2.4 times: 

●      EPA maximum allowance: 10 ppm

●      EWG recommended maximum: 0.14 ppm

●      Aurora maximum contaminant level: 0.331 ppm

Radium

Radium was discovered by Marie Curie in 1898 and is measured in picocuries per liter (pCi/L). This radioactive element is prevalent in many drinking water systems, but can contribute to an increased risk of bone cancer at high doses. 

The EPA allows a maximum of 5 pCi/L. Aurora’s radium levels are nearly two-fifths of this limit, and 40 times higher than the EWG’s more cautious recommendation: 

●      EPA maximum allowance: 5 pCi/L

●      EWG recommended maximum: 0.05 pCi/L

●      Aurora maximum detected level: 1.98 pCi/L

Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)

Trihalomethanes are another group of disinfection byproducts usually measured as total trihalomethanes (TTHMs). Although Aurora’s TTHM levels are well within the legal limit, they’re 155 times higher than what the EWG considers safe: 

●      EPA maximum allowance: 80 ppb

●      EWG recommended maximum: 0.15 ppb

●      Aurora maximum contaminant level: 23.3 ppb

Which Water Filters Can Improve Aurora Water Quality?

Since some of the most common drinking water contaminants may still be present when the water comes out of your tap, a home water filter can help reduce your exposure. But which home water filters are most effective at improving Aurora’s water quality? 

If you’re mostly concerned about the taste of your tap water and removing disinfection byproducts like chloride, an activated carbon filter can be an effective and affordable solution. For contaminants like arsenic, barium, chromium, and radium, consider a 4-Stage Reverse Osmosis Under Counter Water Filter from HomeWater. 

As for minerals like calcium and magnesium — which aren’t harmful, but can impact the taste of your water — you’ll want to invest in a home water softener.

Are There Specific Neighborhoods in Aurora That Experience Different Water Quality Levels?

Since all three of Aurora’s treatment plants use a similar treatment process, there isn’t a lot of variation in water quality from one neighborhood to the next — but lead pipes can be an issue in some neighborhoods with older homes or aging infrastructure. 

The Lead Service Line Replacement Program says that, “Most of the addresses Aurora Water is investigating are homes built in 1960 or earlier in Original Aurora, between 6th Avenue and 25th Avenue and east to west from Yosemite Street to Peoria Street.” 

Aurora residents can enter their address on a map to find out if their service lines are made of lead or galvanized steel and need to be replaced.

What Resources Are Available for Aurora Residents to Test Their Tap Water Quality?

Residents may want to test their tap water for a variety of reasons, including to measure its mineral content or to check for the corrosion of household plumbing systems. 

The Colorado State Public Health Laboratories provides water testing to homeowners, realtors, and business owners who want to test their tap water. Visit their website for instructions on how to submit water samples, as well as water testing fees. 

Aurora residents with additional questions can contact Aurora Water Customer Service at 303-326-8645 or the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791.

What Steps are Aurora Authorities Taking to Maintain or Improve Water Quality?

The City of Aurora is continually improving its water system to account for new threats, such as the risk of contamination from per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). For example, it has been “voluntarily monitoring our finished drinking water for PFAS since 2019,” and educates residents about avoiding products that contain PFAS. 

It also invests in wastewater treatment at the Sand Creek Water Reclamation Facility, which treats water for landscaping at parks and golf courses, and operates a potable reuse system called Prairie Waters.

Is Aurora’s Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Aurora’s drinking water comes primarily from snowmelt and is processed at one of three state-of-the-art treatment plants. It meets all state and federal drinking water standards, and is tested for common contaminants like PFAS and Cryptosporidium. 

Although the EPA considers it safe to drink, a home water filter can remove disinfection byproducts and reduce exposure to contaminants like radium and arsenic. Browse our under-counter water filters to see how easy it is to install one of your own.

Brought to you by homewater.com

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