Happy Anniversary to the Safe Drinking Water Act: National standards help protect public health since 1974
The Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 was signed into law to protect public health by authorizing national enforceable standards for drinking water quality. For half a century, it has set water quality standards, provided funds to improve public water systems and aging infrastructure, and ensured transparency so people know their tap water is safe.
On Dec. 16, 1974, President Gerald Ford, a part-time Vail resident, signed the Safe Drinking Water Act into law. Today, Eagle River Water & Sanitation District’s scientists, operators, and other water professionals continue to ensure our tap water is properly treated and tested. And ERWSD is just one of the many public water systems in our community.
There are more than 2,100 public water systems in Colorado, 30 of which are in the Eagle River Valley, and all are bound to the same science-based stringent standards.
While Eagle River Water & Sanitation District is the largest public water system between East Vail and Dotsero, it only provides tap water within its service area of Vail through Edwards. Even within that area, there are separate public water systems such as those on Vail Mountain, the towns of Minturn and Red Cliff, and the Eagle River Village Mobile Home Park in Edwards, each of which provide water to those connected to their system. The Aspens Mobile Home Village in Avon is a newly designated public water system that is consecutive to ERWSD’s system.
If you don’t know who is responsible for your tap water, visit Colorado's Safe Water Information Finder Tool to learn more about the public water systems in Colorado and where to find water quality information and contact information. The Safe Drinking Water Act gives you the right to information about your tap water. If you have questions or concerns about water quality in your community, contact your public water system directly.
Another great place to find information about your tap water is the annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). Every public water system is required to publish their water quality testing results in this annual report and distribute it to customers. Eagle River Water & Sanitation District’s CCR is available in English and Spanish and can be found on our Drinking Water page along with general information about drinking water sources and treatment.
Eagle River Water & Sanitation District is committed to upholding the principles of the Safe Drinking Water Act by ensuring our customers continue to have access to safe, reliable drinking water. This anniversary is a moment to reflect on the progress made and renew our dedication to addressing ongoing challenges, such as aging infrastructure and emerging contaminants.