Is Dove Creek, CO Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded C-, with 9 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
59/100
waterverge.com Dove Creek, CO — Water Quality Report
Dove Creek's drinking water received a grade of C- (59 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 850 residents using surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 0.6 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 53 violations on record, including 8 health-based violations. 9 remain unresolved.
What to know about Dove Creek's water
Dove Creek ranks #143 out of 246 cities in Colorado for water quality, placing it below average 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.
As a small community water system, Dove Creek may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
The system has seen 16 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Dove Creek, CO water safe to drink?
Dove Creek's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of C- (59/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 850 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Dove Creek
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Dove Creek's water quality assessment. Grade: C- (59/100).
2 health-based. Contaminants: Public Notice, Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule, Surface Water Treatment Rule.
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Contaminants: Public Notice, TTHM.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3224). Coastal Storm event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-719). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Dove Creek's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Dove Creek's water system has 53 total violations on record, including 8 health-based violations. 9 remain unresolved. 16 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Dolores County has experienced 4 federally declared disasters since 1970. 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 Dove Creek's water come from?
Dove Creek's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 850 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment.
What Dove Creek residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Dove Creek'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.
Dove Creek'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 droughtDolores 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
Dolores County has experienced 4 federally declared disasters since 1970. 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. | 0.6 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Dove Creek compares by contaminant
Explore where Dove Creek ranks among all Colorado cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Dove Creek's water comes from
Dove Creek'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 850 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Dove Creek
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| DOVE CREEK TOWN OF | CO0117300 | 850 | SW |
How Dove Creek compares
Full Colorado rankings →Dove Creek's score of 59/100 is above the average of 45/100 among major Colorado cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Colorado rankings →About Dove Creek, CO
Wikipedia →Dove Creek is the statutory town that is the county seat of and the most populous municipality in Dolores County, Colorado, United States. The town population was 635 at the 2020 United States census. The community takes its name from the nearby Dove Creek. Dove Creek is the self-proclaimed Pinto Bean Capital of the World.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Dove Creek's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Dolores
Frequently asked questions
Is Dove Creek, CO tap water safe to drink?
Dove Creek's water quality earned a grade of C- (59/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #143 out of 246 cities tested in Colorado.
What contaminants are in Dove Creek's water?
Lead was measured at 0.6 ppb (90th percentile). 53 violations are on record.
How is Dove Creek'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 Dove Creek?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Dove Creek's water come from?
Dove Creek's water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 850 residents.
What health violations has Dove Creek's water system had?
Dove Creek has 8 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in September 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 9 violations remain unresolved.
How does Dove Creek's water compare to other cities?
Dove Creek ranks #143 out of 246 cities in Colorado (better than 42% of state cities) and #12235 out of 15744 cities nationally (22th percentile). The grade of C- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Dove Creek's small water system affect quality?
Dove Creek's system serves approximately 850 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 53 violations on record.