Is Colorado Springs, CO Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Yes, Colorado Springs tap water is safe to drink. Hardness is low at 101 PPM, and no contaminants exceed health guidelines. Most homes here don't need treatment.
Hardness Scale: Where Colorado Springs Falls
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
How Colorado Springs Compares
Colorado Springs's water is 27% softer than the national average of 138 PPM - ranking in the bottom 56% for hardness nationwide. Most homes here do not need a softener. Within Colorado, it ranks #8 of 23 cities (2% above the state average of 99 PPM). Among large cities (200k-500k), Colorado Springs ranks #90 of 165 for hardness.
What Colorado Springs's Water Means for Your Home
Hardness: 101 PPM - Low Concern
Colorado Springs's water is firmly in the moderate range at 101 PPM. You'll see some spotting on glassware and a film on shower doors over time, but it's not the kind of hardness that demands a full softener. A salt-free conditioner is worth considering if you have a tankless water heater or high-end fixtures.
Contaminants & Safety
Lead levels deserve attention. At 5.7 ppb, Colorado Springs is above the ideal of zero, though below the EPA action level of 15 ppb (dropping to 10 ppb in November 2027 under the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements). The lead typically comes from aging service lines or interior plumbing, not the treatment plant. A point-of-use filter certified for lead at the kitchen faucet is a practical safeguard, especially in older homes.
What's in the Treatment Process
Colorado Springs's surface water supply requires heavy chlorination to stay safe — but that creates a tradeoff. The treatment process generates disinfection byproducts: TTHMs at 37.3 ppb (47% of the legal limit, but 249x the EWG guideline) and HAA5 at 27.5 ppb (46% of the legal limit, but 275x the EWG guideline). These are within legal limits, but the EWG sets much tighter thresholds based on cancer-risk research. A whole-house activated carbon filter reduces both chlorine and byproducts. All measurements are within federal legal limits. The EWG guidelines represent a more conservative, health-based standard.
| Contaminant | Detected | Health Guideline | Legal Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness (as CaCO₃) | 101 PPM | < 60 PPM | No federal limit | ✓ OK |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 133 PPM | < 300 PPM | 500 PPM | ✓ OK |
| PFAS (total) | 0 ppt | — | No total limit | ✓ ND |
| ↳ PFOA | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| ↳ PFOS | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| Lead | 5.7 ppb | 0 ppb (no safe level) | 15 ppb (10 ppb in 2027) | ⚠ Elevated |
| Chlorine / Chloramine | 0.7 mg/L | Taste threshold ~1.0 | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ Normal |
| Nitrate | 0.0674 mg/L | 5 mg/L | 10 mg/L | ✓ OK |
Recommendations for Colorado Springs Homes
How to Test Your Water in Colorado Springs
Lead enters water from your home's plumbing, not the treatment plant — so Colorado Springs's city-wide average of 5.7 ppb may not match your tap. Testing your specific faucet is the only way to know. Run cold water for 30 seconds before collecting a sample.
Free option: Request Colorado Springs Utilities's annual Consumer Confidence Report for official city-level data.
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About Colorado Springs's Water Supply
Water Utility: Colorado Springs Utilities
Water Source: Mountain watersheds, groundwater (Surface Water)
Population Served: 464,111
Hardness: 101 PPM (5.9 grains per gallon)
Colorado Springs's drinking water comes from surface sources — Mountain watersheds, groundwater. Surface water requires more extensive treatment than groundwater, including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection. This heavier chlorination is why disinfection byproducts tend to be higher in surface-supplied systems. On the upside, surface sources often deliver softer water than deep aquifers. The system serves 464,000 residents.
Water quality can vary by neighborhood and season. For your exact numbers, request Colorado Springs Utilities's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) or test your own tap.
ZIP Codes Covered by This Report
This water quality data applies to all areas served by Colorado Springs Utilities in Colorado Springs, CO, including ZIP codes:
80106, 80132, 80449, 80808, 80809, 80813, 80814, 80816, 80817, 80819, 80820, 80821, 80827, 80829, 80830, 80831, 80832, 80833, 80840, 80841, 80860, 80863, 80864, 80866, 80901, 80902, 80903, 80904, 80905, 80906, 80907, 80908, 80909, 80910, 80911, 80912, 80913, 80914, 80915, 80916, 80917, 80918, 80919, 80920, 80921, 80922, 80923, 80924, 80925, 80926, 80927, 80928, 80929, 80930, 80931, 80932, 80933, 80934, 80935, 80936, 80937, 80938, 80939, 80941, 80942, 80944, 80946, 80947, 80949, 80950, 80951, 80960, 80962, 80970, 80977, 80995, 80997, 81155, 81201, 81210, 81211, 81212, 81215, 81222, 81223, 81224, 81227, 81228, 81233, 81236, 81237, 81239, 81241, 81242, 81248
If your ZIP code is listed above, this report covers your water supply. Water quality may vary slightly by neighborhood.
Compare Colorado Springs to Other Colorado Cities
Frequently Asked Questions About Colorado Springs Water
Is Colorado Springs tap water safe to drink?
Where does Colorado Springs's water come from?
Do I need a water softener in Colorado Springs?
What water filter is best for Colorado Springs?
What is the hardness of Colorado Springs water in grains per gallon?
Is Colorado Springs water safe for babies and infants?
What are disinfection byproducts in Colorado Springs's water?
Can I drink Colorado Springs tap water straight from the faucet?
Data sources: Lead and copper data from EPA Safe Drinking Water Act LCR reporting. Contaminant data from utility-reported testing results. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 (2023–2025). Hardness from USGS and municipal reports. Data reflects system-level testing results and may not match your specific tap due to neighborhood plumbing, season, or recent utility changes. For your utility's latest results, request their Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). Our methodology. Last updated: 2026-02-24.
What Colorado Springs Homeowners Actually Buy
Common purchases for homes with 101 PPM water.
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission. Selection based on Colorado Springs's water data.