WaterVerge

Is Ault, CO Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded B+, with 5 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

4K residents served 1 water system PWSID: CO0162125
Overall Score
81.2 / 100
Violations
5 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Purchased surface water
#77 of 246 in Colorado Top 48% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
B+GRADE
Water Quality Grade
81.2/100
waterverge.com
B+ 81.2/100

Ault, CO — Water Quality Report

Ault's drinking water received a grade of B+ (81.2 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 4,220 residents using purchased surface water.

Lead levels were measured at 1.3 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.

The system has 7 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 5 remain unresolved.

Data last updated: May 2026 · Source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5
Analysis

What to know about Ault's water

Ault ranks #77 out of 246 cities in Colorado for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.

The city draws from surface water sources, which are more susceptible to seasonal runoff and agricultural contamination, requiring extensive multi-barrier treatment including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
81.2 out of 100 Grade B+
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
40.2/45
B
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 1.3 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
0/10
F
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
4/5
B
Water source: Purchased surface water.
Water Safety

Is Ault, CO water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Ault's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B+ (81.2/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 4,220 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).

5
Active Violations
1.3 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
7 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Ault

A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Ault's water quality assessment. Grade: B+ (81.2/100).

Violation
2 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Disaster
SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4145). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Disaster
SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3365). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Key contaminant findings

Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Ault's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 1.3 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Ault's water system has 7 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 5 remain unresolved. 5 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

MROther
Most recent violations:
Oct 2024 TTHM Resolved
Oct 2024 Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Resolved
Jul 2023 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Jul 2022 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
May 2021 Revised Total Coliform Rule Open

Flood & environmental risk

Weld County has experienced 7 federally declared disasters since 1969. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies.

SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES
Flood FEMA DR-4145
SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES
Flood FEMA DR-3365
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Coastal Storm FEMA DR-3224

Where does Ault's water come from?

Ault's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 4,220 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment.

What Ault residents can do

Install a water filter

Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Ault's water.

Request your utility's CCR

Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.

Monitor alerts during storms

Ault's area has a history of flooding. After severe weather, watch for boil water advisories from your local utility.

Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.

Contaminant Alerts

Top contaminants to know

View all ↓
Lead (90th percentile)
Inorganic / Heavy Metal
Safe
1.3 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 9% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

7
Total violations
0
Health-based
5
Active / unresolved
Oct 2024
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

7 Total
5 Active
0 Health-based
2 Resolved
Violations by category
Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
2
Consumer Confidence Rule
2
Lead and Copper Rule
2
Revised Total Coliform Rule
1
Jul 2023 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2022 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
May 2021 Active
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Other Violation 0
Jan 2019 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 2011 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Oct 2024 Resolved
TTHM
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2024
Oct 2024 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2024
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Ault

Industrial polluters nearby

Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Ault, ranked by pounds discharged annually.

Total reported releases to surface water: 5 lbs

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
LOVELAND PRODUCTS
Chemicals · NUTRIEN US TOPCO LLC
GREELEY, CO80631
Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution)59.7 mi
MARTIN MARIETTA GREELEY 35TH AVE
Nonmetallic Mineral Product · MARTIN MARIETTA MATERIALS INC
GREELEY, CO80631
9.8 mi
AFCO STEEL
Fabricated Metals · W & W-AFCO STEEL LLC
GREELEY, CO80631
9.5 mi
FLORIDA CIRTECH INC.
Chemicals · NA
GREELEY, CO80631
9.9 mi
PIERCE GAS PLANT
Natural Gas Processing · RIMROCK ENERGY PARTNERS LLC
PIERCE, CO80650
5.1 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D3 — extreme drought

Weld County is currently in D3 (extreme drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). Drought can elevate disinfection-byproduct (TTHM/HAA5) levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.

14
Weeks at D2+ (current streak)
27.0%
Months in D2+ (last 30y)
14
Weeks at D2+ (last 5y)

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

7
Declared disasters
Sep 2013
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Weld County has experienced 7 federally declared disasters since 1969. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Sep 2013
SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES
Flood FEMA #4145
Sep 2013
SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES
Flood FEMA #3365
Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Coastal Storm FEMA #3224
Aug 1997
SEVERE STORMS, HEAVY RAIN, FLASH FLOODS, FLOODING, MUDSLIDES
Flood FEMA #1186
Aug 1976
SEVERE STORMS & FLASH FLOODING
Flood FEMA #517
May 1973
HEAVY RAINS, SNOWMELT AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #385

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 1.3 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 15 ppb
Lead has increased by 0.3 ppb from 1992 (1.0 ppb) to 2025 (1.3 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Purchased Surface Water
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
4,220
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Ault's water comes from

Purchased Surface Water

Ault's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.

Surface water systems require multi-stage treatment including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards.

These sources can be impacted by seasonal changes, stormwater runoff, upstream agriculture, and industrial discharge.

The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 4,220 people through 1 water system.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Ault

System Name PWSID Population Source
AULT TOWN OF CO0162125 4,220 SWP
Regional Comparison

How Ault compares

Full Colorado rankings →

Ault's score of 81.2/100 is above the average of 45/100 among major Colorado cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.

Ault (this city)
81.2
Denver
39.6
Aurora
38.1
Lakewood
36.9
Colorado avg
45
City Profile

About Ault, CO

Economic Profile
$76,215
Median Income
$789/mo
Median Rent
1.6%
Unemployment
Community
37.8
Median Age
350
People / sq mi
19.6%
College Educated
78.4%
Homeownership
Share this reportHelp others learn about their water quality
WhatsAppXFacebookLinkedInEmail

Frequently asked questions

Is Ault, CO tap water safe to drink?

Ault's water quality earned a grade of B+ (81.2/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #77 out of 246 cities tested in Colorado.

What contaminants are in Ault's water?

Lead was measured at 1.3 ppb (90th percentile). 7 violations are on record.

How is Ault's water quality grade calculated?

The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.

Do I need a water filter in Ault?

Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.

Where does Ault's water come from?

Ault's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 4,220 residents.

How does Ault's water compare to other cities?

Ault ranks #77 out of 246 cities in Colorado (better than 69% of state cities) and #7554 out of 15744 cities nationally (52th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.