Source Water Quality & Protection
Keeping a close eye on the watersheds that feed our local streams is a high priority for the Eagle River Water & Sanitation District (District) and the Upper Eagle Regional Water Authority (Authority). As water providers for much of the Eagle River Valley's residents and guests, we are charged with supplying safe drinking water. Protection of our streams and lakes helps to ensure a perpetual supply of high quality source water while protecting the wildlife habitat and aesthetics of our mountain environment.
When one thinks of the mountains and valleys of Eagle County, pollutants and contaminants are not the first things that come to mind. But even in our relatively pristine environment, threats to our waters are present. Some examples are:
Metals are dissolved in water from abandoned mine sites. Assessment and clean up activities for old mine sites by responsible parties have been under way for a number of years now, and improvements in fish populations have been documented.
Tanker truck spills of fuel or industrial chemicals can pose a threat to the environment. Should that kind of an emergency arise, the Eagle County Emergency Communications Network would alert our Water Plant Operators to temporarily interrupt diverting water from a potentially affected water source.
Traction Sand used on highways in the winter is a key component to keeping highways open and safe. However steps are underway by the Colorado Department of Transportation to monitor and control how much of that sand load enters streams such as Black Gore Creek, Gore Creek and the Eagle River. Too much sand can adversely affect the organisms in the streams that contribute to a balanced ecosystem.
The Eagle River Watershed Council and the Black Gore Steering Committee are two area organizations that are active in watershed protection activities and can be reached at 970-827-5406. The District participates and cooperates with these organizations to help promote a clean environment.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's – Water Quality Control Division is required by the 1996 amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) to make a Source Water Assessment summary report available to the general public. The District’s and the Authority’s summary reports can be viewed at www.cdphe.state.co.us/wq/sw/swaphom.html. These reports identify pollution sources of potential concern and rank sources as low to moderate concern in this area. The District has a Public Water System ID (PWSID) number of CO0119802 and the Authority’s PWSID number is CO0119786.