Health

Drinking Water Sampling

Water Testing Hours and Locations
  • Fort Collins samples collected Tuesdays from 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
  • Loveland samples collected Tuesdays from 8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. 

 

NOTE: Holidays may affect this schedule. 

*As of November 1, 2023, we no longer collect water samples in the Estes Park office. Samples may be brought to Fort Collins or Loveland on Tuesdays per the posted schedule.

We work to ensure that public drinking water is safe and free of disease-causing chemicals and organisms.

If you have questions about community water fluoridation, please visit the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's (CDPHE) Community Water Fluoridation resources here. In response to a September 2024 United States District Court, District of Northern California court ruling, CDPHE has provided a statement on community water fluoridation that can be read here. 

Services Provided:

  • Inspecting and obtaining water samples from small community water systems for bacteriological tests.
  • Advising homeowners with poor well-water test results on methods of disinfecting their systems.
  • Monitoring water sample results for large community water systems.
  • Conducting sanitary surveys of small or private water systems.
  • Bacteriological analysis of drinking water.
  • Water quality testing

The cost for a water sample laboratory analysis is $22.50.

Consult the tabs below for detailed water sampling information.  

Businesses that provide water to the public

If you own a business and provide water to the public, your water must meet certain state requirements to insure its potability. Contact the Environmental Health Division of the department. We will inspect your water system and arrange for periodic sampling.

Questions

For questions about abandoned wells, permitting, permit info or well information, refer to the Beginner's Guide to Well Permits from the Colorado Division of Water Resources

In the environment, nitrite generally converts to nitrate, which means nitrite occurs very rarely in groundwater. Nitrate is predominately used in fertilizer for plant growth. Nitrite is used for curing meats. Testing labs generally analyze for nitrate and nitrite together so the results are often written as nitrate+nitrite as N.

The drinking water standard for nitrite-N is 1.0 mg/L and for nitrate-N is 10 mg/L. Natural levels of nitrate-N vary from ' to 4 mg/L. If the value is above 4 it is possible that nitrate-N is moving into groundwater from surface land use or a septic system. Nitrate exceeding 8 mg/L are approaching the health standard and should be monitored regularly if an infant under 1 year of age is using the water. Nitrate-N values over 10 mg/L are unsatisfactory and action should be taken to determine the source and discontinue use of water for infants and people with cardiac problems.

The major risk is for infants under 6 months of age. Nitrate in the body is transformed to nitrite, which can bind to hemoglobin (the oxygen carrier in blood) and prevents transport of oxygen. The result is a decreased oxygen supply, often called blue baby syndrome (methemoglobinemia). The skin often turns blue or gray in color, especially around the mouth and requires immediate medical attention.

Nitrate is found naturally in soil and water in low concentrations of less than 4 mg/L. However common sources of nitrate contamination include septic systems, refuse dumps, fertilizers, manure and decaying plant matter. Nitrate carried into groundwater from the surface and is an early indicator that pollution is reaching the water supply.

Sampling Procedure:

  1. Obtain a 250 mL Neutral sampling bottle from Department.
  2. Collect sample from a non-swivel faucet with aerator removed.
  3. Run cold tap water for 3-5 minutes to flush pipes.
  4. Remove bottle cap and fill the sample bottle up to the neck.
  5. Replace cap and secure tightly to prevent leaking.
  6. One bottle can be used for both the nitrate and nitrite tests for the same sampling site.
  7. Fill out the Customer Mailing Address, email, and phone number. Write in the date and time the sample was collected, relevant sample site information, and water type (e.g., well, surface, or other description). Write in PRIVATE when testing a private well.
  8. Record water temperature and chlorine residual (if it applies) if known. Submit sample to Department for testing the same day tested as this test has a 48 hour hold time and must be received before then for the sample to be valid.

Additional Information

Water Tests and Results

Well Operation & Maintenance

Analytica Environmental Labs   
12189 Pennsylvania Street   
Thornton, CO 80241   
(303) 469-8868 / (303) 469-5254 (fax)

Colorado Analytical Laboratory  
240 S. Main Street (PO Box 507)  
Brighton, CO 80601  
(303) 659-2313 / (303) 659-2315 (fax)  
coloradolab.com

Colorado State University  
Environmental Health Services Lab  
150 East Drive, 154 Gen Services Bldg  
Fort Collins, CO 80523-6021  
(970) 491-4837 / (970) 491-4804 (fax)

CH Diagnostic & Consulting Service  
512 Fifth Street  
Berthoud, CO 80513  
(970) 532-2078 / (970) 532-3358 (fax)

City of Longmont  
501 E. First Avenue 
Longmont, CO 80501   
(303) 774-4656 / (303) 682-9543 (fax)   
Notes: In emergency situations only.

Stewart Environmental Consultants   
2600 Canton Court, Unit #C 
Fort Collins, CO 80525  
(970) 226-5500 / (970) 226-4946 (fax)

Weld County Department of Public Health & Environment  
1555 N. 17th Avenue  
Greeley, CO 80631  
(970) 304-6415 / (970) 304-6427 (fax)

Warren Analytical Laboratory   
650 O St.  
Greeley, CO 80631   
(970) 475-0252 / (970) 351-6648 (fax)

eAnalytics Laboratory  
4130 Clydesdale Parkway  
Loveland, CO 80538  
970-667-6975

Lead has been found in natural waters, but usually lead in drinking water comes from plumbing. The degree to which lead from pipes, solder, and fixtures will corrode and introduce lead into drinking water depends on the corrosive properties of the water. Dissolved oxygen and low pH are common causes of lead corrosion. In older homes, lead pipes were commonly used for plumbing.

More recently, lead solder was used to make connections between copper pipes up until regulations were put in place in the 1980s, restricting the use of solders containing lead. Lead is not detectable in water by smell, taste, or sight. If you suspect corrosion of lead plumbing in the drinking water, it is a good idea to have the first draw of your water tested immediately after the tap has been turned off for 12 hours.

The US Environmental Protection Agency has set 0.015 mg/L as a drinking water standard for lead. Higher concentrations can cause kidney damage, high blood pressure, and brain damage. Effects can be more severe in children and may cause delays in physical and mental development.

If you have questions about copper in drinking water, visit www.larimer.gov/copper. 

Sampling Procedure:

  1. Obtain a 1 Liter bottle for Metal sampling from Department.
  2. Let water sit overnight without running the tap and collect the first draw sample in the morning without flushing the pipes.
  3. Remove faucet aerator.
  4. Remove bottle cap and fill the sample bottle up to the neck.
  5. Replace cap and secure tightly to prevent leaking.
  6. Fill out the Customer Mailing Address, email and phone number. Write in the date and time the sample was collected, relevant sample site information, water type (e.g., well, surface, or other description), and temperature of water if known. Write in PRIVATE when testing a private well.
  7. Record water temperature if known.
  8. Submit sample to Department for testing.

Water Quality

Environmental Health Services
(970) 498-6775