Colorado Impact

One of the best things about summertime in Colorado is the many wonderful festivals held at locations throughout the state. 

These events are fun for the whole family, with unique foods, sights, and sounds. They’re also a great way to connect with old friends or make new ones. That’s why we’re proud to support and participate in them!  

Three Colorado gatherings you should attend if you can are the Parker Days Festival, Littleton’s Unicorn Festival, and Denver’s Chalk Art Festival. 

A Trio of Truly Unique Events

Dating back to the 1970s, Parker Days draws hundreds of thousands of people to the city during its four-day run. The event is a true slice of Americana, with carnival rides, street performers, and tasty offerings from 30 restaurants and food trucks. There’s so much to see, do, and enjoy at the Parker Days Festival!

The Unicorn Festival, as the name suggests, is all about “imagination and fun.” There are friendly unicorns aplenty for the kids to pet, lots of other mythical creatures, princesses, a Karaoke Kingdom for the singers in your family, and many ways to become part of magical fairy tales. Families, cosplayers, and anyone who just wants to escape the everyday world are encouraged to attend!

If you check out the Chalk Art Festival in Denver’s Golden Triangle Creative District, be prepared to have your mind blown! The things these skilled artists can do with chalk and pavement are truly remarkable. The portraits and designs are breathtaking, and you’ll find it hard to convince yourself that the 3-D images they create aren’t real! And nothing beats meandering past gorgeous art while enjoying delicious foods and beverages or stopping to listen to amazing live music from local artists. 

Stay Hydrated While You Get Festive!

Colorado’s weather warms up in June, so be sure to grab a hat and your sunscreen as you head out the door. And you’ll enjoy your time more if you stay hydrated.

Come by the Eldorado Natural Spring Water booth at any of these fantastic festivals for cool, clear, refreshing spring water rated among the best-tasting in the world! Give your body what it needs to stay energized and then get back to treating your eyes, ears, and tummies!  

It’s an annual event that marks the start of summer in Colorado: The Boulder Creek Festival. Held in late May, it draws huge crowds to the banks of Boulder’s well-known waterway, where there’s fun for the whole family. For younger attendees, there’s a bungee trampoline, an inflatable obstacle course, a bounce house, art activities, kid-friendly concerts, and more. Adults circle the Boulder Creek Festival dates on their calendars months in advance and look forward to an incredible musical lineup, beautiful art, tasty beers, over 200 vendor booths, and much more. It’s a joyous communal celebration of what makes Colorado in general and the Front Range in particular so amazing.

Keeping Boulder Creek Festival Attendees Hydrated

While summer is just getting underway when the Boulder Creek Festival takes place, the temperatures can get warm. That’s why attendees always know where to find Eldorado Natural Spring Water. We’re a leading sponsor of this iconic event and are proud to help people stay hydrated. Nothing beats the cool refreshment and award-winning taste of the naturally filtered water that surfaces on our land in Eldorado Springs.

If you can make it to the Boulder Creek Festival with your friends and family, we highly recommend it. You’ll be glad you did!

Nothing says “summer” like a leisurely stroll through a farmers market in Colorado. The sun is shining, thekids are laughing and playing, and the fresh produce is simply incredible. For “foodies” or just people who love local community events, it’s paradise!

Our team members at Eldorado Natural Spring Water can’t wait for the warmer months to arrive each year so they can start getting their Colorado-grown favorites from places like the Boulder Farmers Market, Longmont Farmers Market, Parker Farmers Market, and South Pearl Farmers Market. The produce at these weekend gatherings is matched only by the fun, lively atmosphere.

Eldorado Natural Spring Water Supports Local Farmers in Colorado

We love everything about farmers markets, which is why we support the Boulder, Longmont, and South Pearl events and have for more than 30 years. We also know how important hydration is, especially when you’re out in the warm Colorado sunshine. And nothing is more refreshing than cool, natural spring water. We’re vocal advocates of Colorado’s outstanding grocers, too. But when you’re looking for super-fresh items with that unbeatable farm-to-table flavor, you know where to go!

We hope to see you soon at the Boulder Farmers Market, Longmont Farmers Market, Parkers Farmers Market, and South Pearl Farmers Market!

While we just KNOW that our water is the best tasting water you can find here in Colorado (or anywhere else in the country), we humbly acknowledge that water can be found anywhere and everywhere on earth. 

Of course, water is crucial to life. According to LiveScience, “several chemical properties of water make it indispensable for living creatures… At heart, all life on Earth uses a membrane that separates the organism from its environment. To stay alive, the organism takes in important materials for making energy, while shuttling out toxic substances such as waste products. In this regard, water is essential simply because it's a liquid at Earth-like temperatures. Because it flows, water provides an efficient way to transfer substances from a cell to the cell's environment.”

I know! Exciting stuff, right? We all know that water is important to life, but it has nonetheless been truly exciting to see and hear how our water is being used to not only stimulate life, but also support the growth of a local business that is preparing to teach others about how to create a sustainable source of food through aquaponics.

A Bit About Aquaponics (and It’s Next-of-Kin, Hydroponics)

Aquaponics and hydroponics are both methods of growing plants without the use of soil, using nutrient-rich water instead to feed the plants. But there are some key differences between the two methodologies. Hydroponics relies on a nutrient-rich solution which requires human intervention to replenish. Aquaponics combines the principles of aquaculture and hydroponics to create a closed-loop system that does not require human-provided replenishment. Employing aquaculture—the practice of breeding fish—aquaponics utilizes fish waste to provide the nutrients the plants need to grow, and the plants filter and clean the water for the fish, creating a self-sustaining system that can be used to produce a variety of crops, including fruits, vegetables, herbs, etc.  Because of this symbiotic relationship between the fish and the plant life, aquaponics is a more sustainable and cost-effective method of farming than hydroponics. 

Introducing BountyHaus School Farms

BountyHaus School Farms is a unique initiative that provides learners with a sustainable source of food, while teaching them about sustainable farming practices through aquaponics. BountyHaus School Farms “makes learning fun by engaging and empowering student education everywhere. Students have the opportunity to grow food in schools with the help of BountyHaus’ aquaponic technology. Students learn from the source with BountyHaus, understanding more about nutrients inside healthy food, our environment, the diversity of various ecosystems, study microbiology in aquaponics and careers in agriculture and environment.”

BountyHaus has developed and is refining a module-based environment that includes everything a school, business, community or church would need to create their own sustainable aquaponics grow house. And, much like us at Eldorado Natural Spring Water, BountyHaus believes in educating and nurturing healthy habits, sustainable energy practices (like solar power), and leaving a better future for our children.

And They Get Their Water From…

When selecting the water for their aquaponics systems, requiring one-hundred and eighty 5-gallon bottles, they selected Eldorado Natural Spring Water. Not only did the folks at BountyHaus want to work with another local Colorado company, they also recognized that Eldorado Natural Spring Water is a high-quality water source that is free of pollutants and contaminants. Because our water is also naturally rich in minerals, it makes an ideal choice for supporting aquaponics… because you can’t manufacture natural!

BountyHaus School Farms is developing an innovative way of providing fresh, healthy, and locally sourced food to organizations like schools, businesses, communities and churches, while teaching them about sustainable food production. BountyHaus is a great example of how sustainable farming practices can be used to create a self-sustaining source of healthy, locally sourced food. We at Eldorado Natural Spring Water are proud to support a company that shares its values and commitment to sustainability. We'll drop in from time to time to check on the progress of their crops.

A critical component up in high country is monitoring your electrolyte balance, as it helps you combat altitude sickness and nausea.  Electrolytes aren't just salt. They are comprised of Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Chloride, Bicarbonate, and Hydrogen phosphate (what we sweat out!).  In order to replenish these important minerals effectively, I suggest drinking natural spring water (as opposed to electrolyte drink mixes) and consuming salt stick salt tabs, which have all the electrolytes at the ratio you need.

In addition, ingest one 300 mg salt tab (SaltStick brand is good) an hour with some solid food. The food you consume naturally contains sodium, which assists in replenishing your important minerals. When mixed with the salt stick, consuming one half of a carbohydrate energy gel packet every hour with a good few chugs of water is a good option as well. 

Weather and nighttime conditions are another story and may alter the need for salt tabs. For example, when it's really cold, your body doesn't require as much, so you could take a tab every two hours.  Be mindful to not eat high sodium foods during this process, though. Too much beef jerky or salted nuts can throw your balance off. Instead, opt for low-sodium or no-sodium options to help keep a healthy medium.

Typically, you should aim to drink 24–28 ounces of water every hour, monitoring your hydration and electrolyte levels by observing your urine. Voiding light yellow urine every hour or two would be considered healthy.  If your urine is a deeper yellow and you aren't going very often, then you need to drink more natural spring water. If your urine is clearer and you are going a lot, then you likely need more electrolytes and should consider backing off of the water for a bit.  Again, take into consideration the conditions—if it's a warm day, you may need to increase both.

My final tip is to suggest that you eat early in your activity and eat and drink often (every 15 minutes!).   Go prepared with healthy items suitable for performance and never forget to hydrate!

This blog was previously published on 12/11/2017

The summer months are finally upon us and along with backyard barbecues, poolside lounging, and sun-filled hikes also comes the responsibility of staying water conscious.  It’s no secret that we in Colorado have a very arid climate and are therefore more susceptible to droughts. It’s our duty as Coloradans to protect this very important resource! Here are 50 easy ways to help conserve water this summer.

1. When watering plants, apply water only as fast as the soil can absorb it.
2. Use sprinklers that deliver big drops of water, close to the ground.
3. Use a water-conserving icemaker.
4. Teach children to turn off faucets tightly after each use.
5. While you wait for hot water, collect the cold water and save it for watering plants.
6. Adjust your lawn mower to 1.5-2”. Taller grass requires less water.
7. Re-use the water for cooking pasta to water your plants.
8. Consider attending a landscape class for water-saving tips.
9. Wash company vehicles at commercial car washes that recycle water.
10. Hire a GreenPlumberⓇ to help reduce your water, chemical, and energy use.
11. Check your sprinkler system frequently and make adjustments as needed.
12. Create a goal of how much water your company can save and then reward yourselves.
13. Use a broom instead of a hose to clean patios, sidewalks and driveways.
14. Give your irrigation system a checkup to see if it is working efficiently.
15. Take 5 minute showers instead of baths.
16. Report broken pipes, leaky hydrants, and errant sprinklers you see to your local water provider.  
17. Install water-saving aerators on all your faucets.
18. If your dishwasher is new, cut back on rinsing.
19. Cook food in as little water as possible. This also helps retain more nutrients.
20. When landscaping, plant species that are native to your region.
21. When washing dishes by hand, don’t let the water run. Fill a basin instead.
22. Consider buying a dual-flush toilet with two different flush levels.
23. Try insulating hot water pipes.
24. Install a WaterSenseⓇ showerhead.
25. Try washing dark clothes in cold water. It also helps retain the color.
26. Run your washer and dishwasher only when they are full.
27. Use the garbage disposal sparingly and instead compost vegetable food waste.
28. Wash fruits and vegetables in a pan instead of running water from the tap.
29. Turn off the water while washing your hair and save up to 150 gallons a month.
30. Instead of building a private pool, join a community pool like Eldorado Springs!
31. Have a plumber reroute your graywater to trees and plants rather than a sewer line.
32. Turn off the water while you brush your teeth and save up to 4 gallons a minute.
33. Minimize evaporation by watering your plants in the early morning when temperatures are cooler.
34. Reward kids for water-saving tips they follow.
35. Designate one glass or bottle for your drinking water a day so you don’t have to keep washing them. Eldorado Natural Spring Water is the perfect, most pure choice.
36. At home or while staying in a hotel, reuse your towels.
37. Ask fellow employees for ideas on how to save water and reward them with prizes.
38. When sprucing up your front or backyard, consider xeriscaping.
39. If you accidentally drop ice cubes, don’t throw them in the sink. Drop them in a house plant.  
40. Scrape dishes rather than rinsing them before washing.
41. Defrost food in the refrigerator instead of using running water.
42. Keep a close eye on your water bill to help spot leaks (and wasted money).
43. Leave lawn clippings on your grass to cool the ground and help retain moisture.
44. Soak pots and pans instead of running the faucet while you scrape them.
45. Don’t water your lawn on windy days when most water will blow away or evaporate.
46. Aerate your lawn periodically to allow water to more easily reach the roots.
47. Learn how to use your water meter to check for leaks.
48. Plant in the spring and fall when watering requirements are lower.
49. Pass these ideas onto your employer or school.  
50. Visit your local Water Conservation office’s website for more ideas.

We at Eldorado Natural Spring Water are proud to be recognized as environmental stewards within our community. From our 100% recycled plastic bottles to supporting local causes, we’re always looking for ways to keep Eldorado Springs and the state of Colorado in its natural, pristine condition. That way, we’ll be able to share our delicious water with you for years and years to come. Interested in learning more about how we’re holding ourselves accountable and what we’re doing within our community? 

Editor's note: This post was originally published in May of 2016.

This blog was previously published on 7/19/2017

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is the primary authority in Colorado for enforcing the federal Safe Drinking Water Act by the EPA. As part of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, the Department of Water Quality Control is responsible for implementing programs that support the Safe Drinking Water Act. The aim is to equip public water systems so that they can always provide the public with safe drinking water. These goals are achieved through enforcement of local laws, regulations, permits and regular inspections of public water systems.

Water Contamination Control

Many municipal drinking water systems rely on surface water for their water supply, such as sewage treatment plants, and municipal waterworks. Water authorities in Colorado are tasked with developing water quality plans for the local support unit that provides tools to reduce the risk of water supply contamination. Colorado uses four primary mechanisms to control water pollution, including discharge permits, control regulations, voluntary controls, and grants. Colorado has also introduced a rule requiring a Consumer Confidence Reporting System (CCS) for municipal drinking water. 

The system is governed by Colorado's drinking water regulations, which are based upon the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Water Act. Permits are issued by the state Department of Water Quality and are required and regulated by law to set limits on pollutants that are discharged into the environment in Colorado. 

Colorado Drinking Water Concerns

According to the Colorado Division of Water Resources, sewage treatment plants, industrial plants and other wastewater treatment plants must monitor certain regulated substances. To manage this, Colorado's Water Quality Control Division proposes rules requiring sewage treatment plants and industrial plants to monitor specific chemicals. It has also established guidelines to limit them in future wastewater permits. Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, the EPA can order utilities to test for substances on a watch list known as the Contaminant Candidate List.

In June 2020, Colorado proposed policies to help regulate poly-fluoroalkyl (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals.” These chemicals are common ingredients in everything from jet fuel, nonstick pans to spray foam. PFAS have been linked to cancer and complications with pregnancy. Because federal efforts to regulate the chemicals have lagged, states have been left to take action on their own. In Colorado, the EPA has not named any of the PFAS substances as candidates for monitoring, meaning public water utilities are not required to monitor them. 

Since 2012, Denver residents in some areas have experienced some increased levels of lead in their drinking water. This is mostly a result of outdated lead pipes. While Denver Water does supply lead-free water to households and businesses, water can pick up lead through outdated systems. In response, Denver Water will oversee the implementation of a 15-year plan intended to slowly and systematically replace the old service lines.

Colorado Water Regulation Resources

The Colorado Water Quality Control Division is dedicated to improving the water quality of public systems in the State of Colorado. To learn more about the policies that are enforced both at the Federal and State level, click on the resources below.

Federal statutes

• EPA: Clean Water Act.
• EPA: Safe Drinking Water Act.

Colorado regulations 

• Water Quality Control Commission regulations.
• Water and Wastewater Facility Operators Certification Board regulation.
• CDPHE regulations.

Alternatives to Public Drinking Water

If you’re interested in Colorado drinking water alternatives to tap water, you’re in luck. A natural spring water option located in Eldorado Springs, Colorado (just outside Boulder, Colorado) emanate from one of the most unique water sources in the world. This artesian spring creates a natural filter that continually produces pure, perfect spring water. Don’t worry about inconveniencing yourself with going to the grocery store and stocking up on bottles, Eldorado Natural Spring Water delivers the water to you each month like clockwork. Simply use the calculator to determine how much water you need each month, place your order and Eldorado takes care of the rest.

Choose Your Colorado Zip Code

The snow that falls on the mountains in Colorado contributes to more than just the beautiful scenery. Snow and other precipitation ultimately provide both the surface water and the groundwater that we use for drinking—not to mention the water that powers rivers and fills lakes for activities like rafting and fishing.

The majority of the life-giving water in Colorado's rivers and streams originates along the continental divide that runs through the majestic mountains. Colorado residents and visitors have a responsibility to keep our waterways free of litter and other pollutants to ensure a clean water supply to our amazing state.

Colorado Waterways and Droughts

Since 2000, the Colorado River Basin has been locked in a drought that experts say is likely to be exacerbated by climate change. Most of Colorado's water comes from snow that falls in the Rocky Mountains and is released into natural reservoirs that are gradually utilized over the course of the year. Beginning in 2000, snow has fallen more irregularly in the mountains, including in recent years when totals have been only two-thirds of normal—a concerning record low. 

In addition, worsening droughts and rising temperatures have caused the Colorado River to shrink in recent years. In response, scientists are developing models to better understand how the climate crisis is fundamentally changing this critical 1,450-mile waterway.

Researchers at the U.S. Geological Survey have found that human-caused global warming, especially in recent decades, has caused rivers to absorb more solar energy, increasing the amount of water lost through evaporation. They've also found that the Colorado River is dwindling, threatening serious water shortages for millions of people who rely on it. 

Groundwater Contamination

Ground water is water from rain and snow that that soaks into the soil. It is a vital resource in Colorado.

When water works its way through the soil to the underground "water table," it can pick up nitrogen, phosphorus and other contaminants. Pollutants in the soil can come from many sources including leakage from landfills, wastewater treatment plants and sanitation systems, gas stations and sewers, as well as from fertilizers used in agriculture.

The polluted water can then end up in public drinking water systems, posing public heath threats to Colorado residents.

Sustaining Colorado Watersheds

Former Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper directed the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) to develop Colorado's water plan for the future. The top priorities were to strengthen urban water protection, safeguard water quality, improve water management, enhance vital river and catchment protection measures and support flexible water policies.

Over a two-year period, CWCB's roundtables have brought together stakeholders with a wide range of water needs, including farmers, ranchers, urban and rural communities and water providers to discuss the importance of flexible and reliable water supplies and to brainstorm ideas for maintaining them.

Colorado Businesses Promoting Sustainability

Businesses in Colorado are also getting involved in green initiatives and sustainability measures in response to a growing demand from consumers. Colorado consumers are increasingly looking to do business with brands that align with their values and that are making efforts to protect the environment and our natural resources.

It's critical that Colorado businesses learn to meet their present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In order to achieve this goal, organizations should examine their approach not only to water consumption, but also to energy, materials, recycling, transportation and other aspects of their operation to determine what changes need to occur to make their business more sustainable for the future.

As a bottled spring water and bulk water delivery provider, Eldorado Natural Spring Water has long been a leading advocate of sustainability initiatives in Colorado. We're proud to say that we were the first bottled water company in the U.S. to introduce 100% recycled plastic bottles. Recycled bottles require 77% less energy to produce and generate 58% fewer emissions in the production process.

In addition, we recycle 96% of the waste from our bottling plant, including paper, cardboard and plastic. We even generate 50% of the energy for our Colorado headquarters from a rooftop solar system.

In short, we're serious about protecting the Colorado environment that gives us all so much. 

"Hardness" is a property of water determined by the amounts of dissolved minerals it contains, specifically calcium and magnesium. Most people associate the term with water quality and also with a build-up of material in their shower or sink. This accumulation occurs because soapsuds can’t be produced until dissolved minerals in the water have been combined with soap. Those minerals that are removed from the water remain as an insoluble residue. 

How Water Becomes Hard

Water hardness is generally the highest in groundwater where the topsoil is thick and carbonate formations are present. As rain falls, it absorbs carbon dioxide produced from bacteria in the topsoil. The rainwater and carbon dioxide mix to form carbonic acid. Carbonic acid dissolves the carbonate compounds found in limestone and dolomite. This process is enhanced by acid rain. The degree of hardness increases as the calcium and magnesium amount increases and is related to the concentration of multivalent cations dissolved in the water.

Water Hardness Classification

Water hardness is a relative term and typically reported in milligrams per liter (mg/L) of calcium carbonate (CaCO3), or grains per gallon (gpg).

Colorado Water Hardness

Colorado Springs Utilities reports a hardness measurement of 1.3 – 2.8 grains per gallon (gpg), which gives its water a relatively soft rating. For comparison, Denver has a reported 4.2 gpg and the city of Pueblo has the state's hardest water at 10.6 gpg.

In an example on the far end of the spectrum, London's water is derived mainly from the River Thames and River Lea, which draw a significant proportion of their dry weather flow from springs and limestone aquifers. Consequently, drinking water there is very hard with 11.7 gpg of calcium carbonate.

Here in the U.S., people living in areas like Pueblo can use water softeners that replace the calcium and magnesium content of hard water with sodium. Plasticizers are another method of converting hard water into soft water. The process uses sodium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, and iron, which are dissolved to reduce calcium or magnesium.

Although treating hard water with salt and a water softener is common, most people don't know that if you use one of these devices, you are basically removing calcium and magnesium from your drinking water and adding salt to your diet. In addition, water softeners can be expensive to install, and many states actually have banned the use of salt softeners because of their harmful effects on the environment.

Hard water is not hazardous to your health, but it can be a nuisance. If you’re looking for alternative drinking water sources for your home or have questions about your home water as a Colorado resident, contact the Eldorado team. We're always happy to share our insights and help people get the high-quality drinking water they need to stay hydrated!