Is Deer Trail, CO Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A-, with 4 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
87/100
waterverge.com Deer Trail, CO — Water Quality Report
Deer Trail's drinking water received a grade of A- (87 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,648 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 0.0 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 146 violations on record, including 7 health-based violations. 4 remain unresolved.
What to know about Deer Trail's water
Deer Trail ranks #41 out of 246 cities in Colorado for water quality, placing it above average in the state.
Deer Trail relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff.
As a small community water system, Deer Trail may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Deer Trail, CO water safe to drink?
Deer Trail's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A- (87/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,648 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Deer Trail
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Deer Trail's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (87/100).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4731). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: Public Notice.
Contaminants: Public Notice.
Contaminants: Nitrate.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4145). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Deer Trail's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Deer Trail's water system has 146 total violations on record, including 7 health-based violations. 4 remain unresolved. 1 violation was issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Arapahoe County has experienced 6 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.
Where does Deer Trail's water come from?
Deer Trail's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,648 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.
What Deer Trail residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Deer Trail's water.
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.
Deer Trail'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.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Drought conditions
D3 — extreme droughtArapahoe 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.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.
Flood & disaster history
Arapahoe County has experienced 6 federally declared disasters since 1969. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 0.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Deer Trail compares by contaminant
Explore where Deer Trail ranks among all Colorado cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Deer Trail's water comes from
Deer Trail's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals.
Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds.
The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 1,648 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Deer Trail
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEER TRAIL TOWN OF | CO0103030 | 1,648 | GW |
How Deer Trail compares
Full Colorado rankings →Deer Trail's score of 87/100 is above the average of 45/100 among major Colorado cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Colorado rankings →About Deer Trail, CO
Wikipedia →The Town of Deer Trail is a statutory town located in eastern Arapahoe County, Colorado, United States. The town population was 1,068 at the 2020 United States census, a +95.60% increase since the 2010 United States census. Deer Trail is a part of the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Front Range Urban Corridor. The town is situated along Interstate 70, approximately 55 miles (89 km) east of Denver.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Deer Trail's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Arapahoe
Frequently asked questions
Is Deer Trail, CO tap water safe to drink?
Deer Trail's water quality earned a grade of A- (87/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #41 out of 246 cities tested in Colorado.
What contaminants are in Deer Trail's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 146 violations are on record.
How is Deer Trail'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 Deer Trail?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Deer Trail's water come from?
Deer Trail's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,648 residents.
What health violations has Deer Trail's water system had?
Deer Trail has 7 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2023. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 4 violations remain unresolved.
Is Deer Trail's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Deer Trail uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 146 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.
How does Deer Trail's water compare to other cities?
Deer Trail ranks #41 out of 246 cities in Colorado (better than 83% of state cities) and #4333 out of 15744 cities nationally (73th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Deer Trail's small water system affect quality?
Deer Trail's system serves approximately 1,648 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 146 violations on record.