F0/100

Telluride Tap Water Quality: Is It Safe to Drink? (2026 Report)

Serving 7,900 residents · Colorado

What's In Telluride's Tap Water?

31
Contaminants Tested
0
Exceed EPA Limits
1
Above EPA Goals
1 contaminant above EPA health goals
ContaminantDetectedLimit (MCL)Status
Lead (90th percentile)
0.001 mg/L0.015 mg/LAbove Goal

EPA Violation History

38

Violations (last 5yr)

5

Unresolved

10

Health-Related

TIER 3Unresolved

Monitoring violation

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: July 1, 2025Rule: Total Coliform RuleEnforcement: Informal — resolved cooperativelyVerify on EPA.gov
TIER 3Unresolved

Failed to complete routine monitoring

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: July 1, 2025 – July 31, 2025Rule: Surface Water Treatment RuleEnforcement: Informal — resolved cooperativelyVerify on EPA.gov
TIER 3Unresolved

Failed Level 2 Assessment under Revised Total Coliform Rule

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: July 1, 2025 – September 30, 2025Rule: Stage 1 DBPREnforcement: Informal — resolved cooperativelyVerify on EPA.gov
TIER 3Unresolved

Failed to complete routine monitoring

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: March 1, 2025 – March 31, 2025Rule: Surface Water Treatment RuleEnforcement: Informal — resolved cooperativelyVerify on EPA.gov
TIER 3Unresolved

Failed to complete routine monitoring

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: February 1, 2025 – February 28, 2025Rule: Surface Water Treatment RuleEnforcement: Informal — resolved cooperativelyVerify on EPA.gov
TIER 3Resolved

Violation related to Turbidity

When: January 4, 2025 – April 2, 2025Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 3Resolved

Failed to complete routine monitoring

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: December 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024Rule: Surface Water Treatment RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 2Resolved

Failed treatment technique requirements

When: December 1, 2024 – December 11, 2024Rule: Surface Water Treatment RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 2Resolved

Failed treatment technique requirements

When: December 1, 2024 – December 11, 2024Rule: Surface Water Treatment RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 3Resolved

Monitoring Violation

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: December 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024Rule: Total Coliform RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 2Resolved

Failed treatment technique requirements

When: November 1, 2024 – November 30, 2024Rule: Surface Water Treatment RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 2Resolved

Failed treatment technique requirements

When: November 1, 2024 – November 30, 2024Rule: Surface Water Treatment RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 2Resolved

Failed treatment technique requirements

When: October 1, 2024 – October 31, 2024Rule: Surface Water Treatment RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 3Resolved

Failed Level 2 Assessment under Revised Total Coliform Rule

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: October 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024Rule: Stage 1 DBPREnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 2Resolved

Failed treatment technique requirements

When: October 1, 2024 – October 31, 2024Rule: Surface Water Treatment RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 3Resolved

Disinfection byproduct treatment technique failure

When: September 13, 2024 – October 3, 2024Rule: Ground Water RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 2Resolved

Failed treatment technique requirements

When: September 1, 2024 – September 30, 2024Rule: Surface Water Treatment RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 2Resolved

Failed treatment technique requirements

When: September 1, 2024 – September 30, 2024Rule: Surface Water Treatment RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 3Resolved

Failed to complete routine monitoring

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: August 1, 2024 – August 31, 2024Rule: Surface Water Treatment RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 2Resolved

Failed treatment technique requirements

When: August 1, 2024 – August 31, 2024Rule: Surface Water Treatment RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 3Resolved

Monitoring Violation

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: August 1, 2024 – August 31, 2024Rule: Total Coliform RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 3Resolved

Failed Level 2 Assessment under Revised Total Coliform Rule

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: July 1, 2024 – September 17, 2024Rule: Stage 1 DBPREnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 2Resolved

Failed treatment technique requirements

When: July 1, 2024 – July 31, 2024Rule: Surface Water Treatment RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 3Resolved

Violation related to E. coli (RTCR)

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: February 1, 2024 – February 29, 2024Rule: Surface Water Treatment RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 3Resolved

Failed to complete routine monitoring

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: January 1, 2024 – January 31, 2024Rule: Surface Water Treatment RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 3Resolved

Missed required monitoring deadline

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: January 1, 2024 – January 31, 2024Rule: Surface Water Treatment RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 3Resolved

Missed required monitoring deadline

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: December 1, 2023 – December 31, 2023Rule: Surface Water Treatment RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 3Resolved

Violation related to E. coli (RTCR)

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: September 1, 2023 – September 30, 2023Rule: Surface Water Treatment RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 3Resolved

Violation related to E. coli (RTCR)

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: July 1, 2023 – July 31, 2023Rule: Surface Water Treatment RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 3Resolved

Violation related to E. coli (RTCR)

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: May 1, 2023 – May 31, 2023Rule: Surface Water Treatment RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 3Resolved

Failed Level 2 Assessment under Revised Total Coliform Rule

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: April 1, 2023 – May 24, 2023Rule: Stage 1 DBPREnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 3Resolved

Failed to complete routine monitoring

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: April 1, 2023 – April 30, 2023Rule: Surface Water Treatment RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 3Resolved

Violation related to E. coli (RTCR)

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: April 1, 2023 – April 30, 2023Rule: Surface Water Treatment RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 3Resolved

Monitoring Violation

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: April 1, 2023 – April 30, 2023Rule: Total Coliform RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 3Resolved

Violation related to Lead and Copper Rule

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: February 16, 2023Rule: Surface Water Treatment RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 3Resolved

Failed to complete routine monitoring

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: February 1, 2022 – February 28, 2022Rule: Surface Water Treatment RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 3Resolved

Monitoring Violation

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: February 1, 2022 – February 28, 2022Rule: Total Coliform RuleEnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway
TIER 3Resolved

Failed Level 2 Assessment under Revised Total Coliform Rule

This is a paperwork/process violation — it does not mean a contaminant was detected at unsafe levels.

When: January 1, 2022 – March 28, 2022Rule: Stage 1 DBPREnforcement: Resolving — corrective action underway

Understanding violation severity

Tier 1Urgent health risk. Utility must notify all customers within 24 hours.Tier 2Important health or treatment issue. Customers notified within 30 days.Tier 3Administrative or monitoring issue. Reported in the annual water quality report.

Source: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) · Updated quarterly

Water Utility Details

TELLURIDE TOWN OF
Population Served

7,900

Water Source

Surface Water

System ID

CO0157800

Frequently Asked Questions About Telluride Water

Is Telluride tap water safe to drink?

Telluride, Colorado tap water receives a grade of F (0/100), which is considered failing. 0 contaminant(s) exceed EPA maximum contaminant levels and 85 violation(s) are on record. Residents should consider using an NSF-certified water filter to reduce contaminant exposure.

What contaminants are in Telluride's water?

Of the 31 contaminants tested in Telluride's water supply, the most notable include Lead (90th percentile). No contaminants exceed EPA legal limits. 1 contaminant(s) exceed EPA health goals (MCLGs), which are non-enforceable targets set at levels with no known health risk.

Does Telluride have any water quality violations?

Yes, Telluride has 85 EPA violation(s) on record, with the most recent in 2025. Violation types include RPT, MR, Other. 12 of these are health-based violations, which are the most serious category.

Do I need a water filter in Telluride?

Telluride water meets EPA standards, so a filter is not strictly necessary. However, some residents prefer the added security of a water filter. EPA health goals (MCLGs) are stricter than legal limits and are set at levels with zero expected health risk. 1 contaminant(s) exceed these stricter goals.

Where does Telluride's tap water come from?

Telluride's drinking water is sourced from surface water and supplied by TELLURIDE TOWN OF. The system serves approximately 7,900 people. Surface water sources include rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.

How often is Telluride's water tested?

Under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), water utilities are required to regularly test for over 90 contaminants. Testing frequency varies by contaminant — some are tested monthly, others quarterly or annually. Telluride's water systems must report results to the EPA and publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). The data on this page reflects the latest available EPA testing data.

How does Telluride's water compare to other cities in Colorado?

Telluride's water quality score of 0/100 earns a grade of F, which is considered failing. This is a concerning score that suggests significant water quality issues. Visit our Colorado state page to see how all cities in the state compare.

What should I do if I'm concerned about Telluride's water quality?

If you have concerns about Telluride's tap water, consider these steps: (1) Request your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report for detailed local data. (2) Get your water independently tested through a state-certified laboratory. (3) Consider an NSF-certified water filter rated for the contaminants found in your area. (4) Contact your water utility (TELLURIDE TOWN OF) with specific questions. (5) Report water quality issues to your state drinking water program or the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791.

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