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1. Can I have a rain barrel?

Yes, you can. A new law, effective August 10, 2016, will allow most Colorado home owners to collect a defined amount of rainwater from their rooftops. Read more.

2. How do I test my well?

While most wells provide a clean, safe supply of water, most contaminants cannot be seen, smelled, or tasted. Therefore you should test your well water on a regular basis. Contact a certified laboratory for testing supplies, collect the sample according to directions provided by the laboratory, return the sample to the laboratory within the required time limits. The laboratory should contact you with the results. In addition, Tri-County Health Department's Water Specialist, Elaine Hassinger, can provide information on the best type of test to run and the meaning of the results. Elaine can be reached at 720 200 1583.

3. How do I find my well permit?

Visit the Colorado Division of Water Resources well permit search. Search by permit number, owner’s name, or subdivision. Once the search results appear, click on view to see the well permit and its associated documents. For more information, call the Groundwater Information line at 303 866-3587.

4. How can I make my water taste better?

Contact your water provider. If your home uses a well, contact the wellcare Hotline at 888-395-1033 or online at Water Systems Council.

5. How do I prepare for a water system inspection?

Review the non-community groundwater system toolkits for transient and non transient systems. Also, you may review Tri-County Health Department's Sanitary Survey Checklist.

6. Do cities monitor drinking water quality?

This information is located in your annual water quality report. This report is usually delivered with summer water bills and most are located online.

7. Can I put a graywater system into my house?

At this time, graywater may only be captured and reused in areas where there is local ordinance approving the use of graywater. For more information, check with your local jurisdiction.

8. How will my water be impacted by oil and gas drilling?

Nearby drinking water wells are monitored for water quality prior to and after oil drilling and pumping operations. Under Colorado law, water used for drinking and agriculture have preference. Water used in the hydraulic fracturing process is a secondary use. When a municipality sells excess water to oil and gas users, they may be able to reduce drinking water cost for their residents. For more information contact Colorado Oil and Gas Association or the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. In addition, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is conducting a study to better understand any potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water resources.

9. How safe is bottled water?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the production of bottled water. For more information visit the FDA's web site on bottled water or contact the manufacturer of the bottled water directly.

10. Where does my water come from?

This information is located in your annual water quality report. This report is usually delivered with summer water bills and most are located online. If your water is from a well, the well permit will provide information on which aquifer serves the well.

11. I see people dumping chemicals/paint/etc. in the stream or storm drain. I know this is illegal. What can I do?

Contact your local stormwater authority by visiting the Colorado Stormwater Council website.

12. Is the water at Chery Creek Reservoir, Chatfield Reservoir, etc. safe to swim in?

Swim beaches are regulated as natural swim areas. They are monitored during the swimming season and records should be kept on-site at the swim beach. If unsafe levels of bacteria are detected the swim beach will be closed to the public. For more information contact park personnel or refer to Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's swim beach web page.

13. What can I do to promote drinking water rather than drinks high in sugar?

Water provides many health benefits. The Centers for Disease Control's Healthy Waters Webpage provides information on water and nutrition.

14. How can we coordinate water quality data?

The Colorado Data Sharing Network has a forum for presenting and sharing water quality data.

15. How do I find more environmental and public health data?

For more information, visit the Colorado Environmental Public Health Tracking web page.