Colorado Impact

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. 

Currently, Colorado is experiencing severe drought in the southern half of the state, which is resulting in large fires consuming huge swaths of forest. State officials are now concerned about water contamination in watersheds. What exactly should officials be concerned about?

According to the Journal of Pollution Effects and Control, "The chemical water quality problems that may arise following a forest fire may consist of increased production of macronutrients, micronutrients, basic and acidic ions, decreased oxygen level and increased biological demand. Some of these chemicals come from the disturbed and bare ground and others are produced from the burned plant material." In layman's terms, water will contain higher levels of harmful organic material that may be above federal and state safety thresholds. This burned plant material becomes sediment, which ends up in rivers and streams.

These Impurities Can Make Drinking Water Unsafe

According to research done at the University of Colorado Boulder, “A wildfire will have a tremendous effect on the vegetation that results in the mobilization of material in the form of sediments,” said Fernando Rosario-Ortiz, the study’s lead author. “Ultimately, those sediments become turbidity and drinking water utilities need to remove that turbidity in order to produce water that is safer for consumers to use.” To remove these impurities, municipalities need to use more chemicals to treat the water to make safe. This is costly, and adding more chemicals is not always the best solution for consumers.

Watershed Protection Efforts

Colorado has begun to invest more money in watershed protection in recent years. When the High Park and Waldo Canyon wildfires ripped through Colorado in 2012, the water provider Northern Water worked with the Bureau of Reclamation, the US Forest Service, and the Colorado Forest Service to begin the Colorado-Big Thompson Project. The mission of this project is to restore forest and watershed integrity while still retaining the hydropower facilities that are located in the Big Thompson reservoir. Combined with other investments in the state water system, 21,000 acres of land have undergone fuel treatments to reduce risk of watershed damage from future wildfires.

Fortunately, Not All Groundwater Is Impacted by Wildfires

As Colorado gets drier and wildfires become larger and more frequent, watershed protection becomes extremely important. Municipalities will be forced to continue the fight to keep our water safe. Fortunately, Eldorado Natural Spring Water comes from a very special place. Our spring water originates as rain and snow just east of the Continental Divide. It then enters an aquifer under Eldorado Springs and artesian pressure pushes water through sandstone, creating a natural filtering system.

Lastly, but arguably most important, Eldorado Natural Spring Water has a thick layer of clay just above the sandstone which is impervious to surface water. This is extremely beneficial as contaminants resulting from wildfires are repelled by this line of natural defense. The beloved source of Eldorado water truly is unique and magnificent.