Drinking Water

Safe clean drinking water is the foundation stone for a healthy community. The Environmental Health Division offers help to insure safe drinking water. Large community and small non-community systems serving such places as towns, drinking water systems, pipelines, summer camps, restaurants, campgrounds, and motels in Delta County are inspected and regulated by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Water Quality Control Division Drinking Water Program.

For more information, visit the US Environmental Protection Agency Colorado Drinking Water information site.

Private well water quality is not regulated, so providing safe drinking water from a private well is the responsibility of the well owner.  Two helpful publications are:
     • “Protecting Your Private Well”, published by Colorado State University Extension.
     • “Drinking Water from Household Wells”, from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

These publications address the following topics:
     • Groundwater quality and potential contaminants
     • Naturally occurring sources of pollution
     • Installing a new well
     • Well location and setbacks
     • How to protect your ground water supply
     • Well construction and maintenance
     • Abandoned wells
     • Water testing
     • Interpreting your water test result
     • FAQs about well water quality
 
It is possible to check your private drinking water to determine if it is safe for drinking.  Bacteriologic testing sample containers are available at the Delta County Environmental Health Division offices to sample your water for bacteriological contamination.  Samples will be sent to the Grand Junction Regional Laboratory for testing.

Western Slope Laboratories Certified to Test Drinking Water
Enviro-Chem Analytical
685 West Gunnison Avenue
Suite 108
Grand Junction, CO
970-242-6154

City of Gunnison Wastewater Treatment Plant
524 County Road 32
Gunnison, CO
970-641-8042

Mesa County Health Department Regional Laboratory
510 29.5 Road
Grand Junction, CO
970-248-6999

The entire list of private laboratories and water treatment specialists to help analyze water can be found here.

The Environmental Health Division reviews subdivision proposals for adequacy of private drinking water supplies. Testing is required to prove that the water is a safe potable supply. The standards for drinking water must meet those of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Water Quality Control Division.