Is Hot Sulphur Springs, CO Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A-, with 5 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
86.8/100
waterverge.com Hot Sulphur Springs, CO — Water Quality Report
Hot Sulphur Springs's drinking water received a grade of A- (86.8 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 687 residents using surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 0.9 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 27 violations on record, including 4 health-based violations. 5 remain unresolved.
What to know about Hot Sulphur Springs's water
Hot Sulphur Springs ranks #44 out of 246 cities in Colorado for water quality, placing it above 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, Hot Sulphur Springs may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
The system has seen 8 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Hot Sulphur Springs, CO water safe to drink?
Hot Sulphur Springs's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A- (86.8/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 687 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Hot Sulphur Springs
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Hot Sulphur Springs's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (86.8/100).
Contaminants: Surface Water Treatment Rule, Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule.
Contaminants: Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule, Surface Water Treatment Rule.
Contaminants: Surface Water Treatment Rule, Revised Total Coliform Rule.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3224). Coastal Storm event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3224). Coastal Storm event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Hot Sulphur Springs's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Hot Sulphur Springs's water system has 27 total violations on record, including 4 health-based violations. 5 remain unresolved. 8 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Grand 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. Local water sources include Willow Creek Below Cabin Creek, Willow Creek Above Willow Creek Reservoir, Co., Colorado River, Williams Fork, Williams Fork Below Williams Fork Reservoir.
Where does Hot Sulphur Springs's water come from?
Hot Sulphur Springs's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 687 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment. Nearby water bodies include Willow Creek Below Cabin Creek (river), Willow Creek Above Willow Creek Reservoir, Co. (river), Colorado River (river), Williams Fork (river), Williams Fork Below Williams Fork Reservoir (river).
What Hot Sulphur Springs residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Hot Sulphur Springs'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.
Hot Sulphur Springs'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
D4 — exceptional droughtGrand County is currently in D4 (exceptional drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). 98.3% of the county is in D4 (exceptional) drought. 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
Grand 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. | 0.9 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Hot Sulphur Springs compares by contaminant
Explore where Hot Sulphur Springs ranks among all Colorado cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Hot Sulphur Springs's water comes from
Hot Sulphur Springs'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 687 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near Hot Sulphur Springs
Hot Sulphur Springs is located near 5 notable water bodies. As a surface water system, these water bodies may directly influence the city's drinking water supply.
Water systems serving Hot Sulphur Springs
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| HOT SULPHUR SPRINGS TOWN OF | CO0125352 | 687 | SW |
How Hot Sulphur Springs compares
Full Colorado rankings →Hot Sulphur Springs's score of 86.8/100 is above the average of 45/100 among major Colorado cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Colorado rankings →About Hot Sulphur Springs, CO
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Hot Sulphur Springs's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Grand
Frequently asked questions
Is Hot Sulphur Springs, CO tap water safe to drink?
Hot Sulphur Springs's water quality earned a grade of A- (86.8/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #44 out of 246 cities tested in Colorado.
What contaminants are in Hot Sulphur Springs's water?
Lead was measured at 0.9 ppb (90th percentile). 27 violations are on record.
How is Hot Sulphur Springs'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 Hot Sulphur Springs?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Hot Sulphur Springs's water come from?
Hot Sulphur Springs's water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 687 residents.
What health violations has Hot Sulphur Springs's water system had?
Hot Sulphur Springs has 4 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 5 violations remain unresolved.
How does Hot Sulphur Springs's water compare to other cities?
Hot Sulphur Springs ranks #44 out of 246 cities in Colorado (better than 82% of state cities) and #4481 out of 15744 cities nationally (72th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Hot Sulphur Springs's small water system affect quality?
Hot Sulphur Springs's system serves approximately 687 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 27 violations on record.