Is Pueblo, CO Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Yes, Pueblo tap water is safe to drink. Hardness is low at 72 PPM, and no contaminants exceed health guidelines. Most homes here don't need treatment.
Hardness Scale: Where Pueblo Falls
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
How Pueblo Compares
Pueblo's water is 48% softer than the national average of 138 PPM - ranking in the bottom 62% for hardness nationwide. Most homes here do not need a softener. Within Colorado, it ranks #17 of 23 cities (27% below the state average of 99 PPM). Among mid-size cities (100k-200k), Pueblo ranks #127 of 189 for hardness.
What Pueblo's Water Means for Your Home
Hardness: 72 PPM - Low Concern
Pueblo's water is moderately hard at 72 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
Beyond hardness, Pueblo's water is within EPA guidelines for regulated contaminants. Chlorine is relatively low at 0.7 mg/L. 3 contaminants exceed EWG's stricter health guidelines, though all are within legal limits.. Want the full picture? Request your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report for neighborhood-level data.
What's in the Treatment Process
Pueblo's surface water supply requires heavy chlorination to stay safe — but that creates a tradeoff. The treatment process generates disinfection byproducts: HAA5 at 16.1 ppb (null% of the legal limit, but 268x 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) | 72 PPM | < 60 PPM | No federal limit | ✓ OK |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 87 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 | 2.3 ppb | 0 ppb (no safe level) | 15 ppb (10 ppb in 2027) | ✓ Low |
| Chlorine / Chloramine | 0.7 mg/L | Taste threshold ~1.0 | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ Normal |
| Nitrate | 0.13 mg/L | 5 mg/L | 10 mg/L | ✓ OK |
Recommendations for Pueblo Homes
How to Test Your Water in Pueblo
City-wide data is a solid starting point, but your specific tap might differ based on plumbing age, distance from the treatment plant, or seasonal changes.
Free option: Request Pueblo Board of Water Works's annual Consumer Confidence Report for official city-level data.
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About Pueblo's Water Supply
Water Utility: Pueblo Board of Water Works
Water Source: Arkansas River, Pueblo Reservoir (Surface Water)
Population Served: 114,070
Hardness: 72 PPM (4.2 grains per gallon)
Pueblo's drinking water comes from surface sources — Arkansas River, Pueblo Reservoir. 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 114,000 residents.
Water quality can vary by neighborhood and season. For your exact numbers, request Pueblo Board of Water Works'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 Pueblo Board of Water Works in Pueblo, CO, including ZIP codes:
73946, 80823, 80825, 80862, 81001, 81002, 81003, 81004, 81005, 81006, 81007, 81008, 81009, 81010, 81011, 81012, 81019, 81020, 81021, 81022, 81023, 81024, 81025, 81027, 81030, 81033, 81034, 81038, 81039, 81040, 81044, 81045, 81046, 81049, 81050, 81054, 81055, 81057, 81058, 81059, 81062, 81063, 81064, 81067, 81069, 81076, 81077, 81081, 81082, 81089, 81091, 81101, 81102, 81123, 81125, 81126, 81131, 81133, 81135, 81136, 81143, 81146, 81149, 81151, 81152, 81221, 81226, 81232, 81240, 81244, 81252, 81253, 81290, 87740, 88414, 88418, 88419
If your ZIP code is listed above, this report covers your water supply. Water quality may vary slightly by neighborhood.
Compare Pueblo to Other Colorado Cities
Frequently Asked Questions About Pueblo Water
Is Pueblo tap water safe to drink?
Where does Pueblo's water come from?
Do I need a water softener in Pueblo?
What is the hardness of Pueblo water in grains per gallon?
What are disinfection byproducts in Pueblo's water?
Can I drink Pueblo tap water straight from the faucet?
What water filter is best for Pueblo?
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.