01The verdict: is Ignacio water safe?
Ignacio's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of F (38/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 4 water systems serve approximately 2,878 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Copper is over its legal limit
Measured at 1.57 mg/L against the EPA Action Level of 1.3 mg/L. The ledger below shows how far over — and which filter removes it.
See the measurement ↓3K people, 4 systems
All figures on this page come from federal EPA compliance and testing data for the systems serving this city.
See the systems ↓Lead is approaching its limit
Measured at 10.5 ppb — 70% of the 15 ppb limit. Within the rules, but with less headroom than you'd want.
See the ledger ↓Ignacio's drinking water received a grade of F (38 out of 100), indicating failing water quality. The city's 4 water systems serve approximately 2,878 residents using surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 10.5 ppb (90th percentile), which is within EPA limits but above recommended levels. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program. The system has 156 violations on record, including 6 health-based violations. 26 remain unresolved.
Ignacio ranks #238 out of 244 cities in Colorado for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated 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. While lead levels are within EPA limits, they are above the recommended 5 ppb threshold that health organizations consider ideal. A point-of-use filter adds an extra layer of protection. As a small community water system, Ignacio may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities. The system has seen 26 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
02What's in Ignacio's water
Every contaminant flagged in Ignacio, on one shared scale: distance to its own legal limit. The red line is the limit — anything past it is out of compliance, and the closer a bar gets, the less headroom the system has.
Over Limit — EPA Action Level: 1.3 mg/L
Exceeds the EPA action level. Copper leaches from household plumbing — flush taps for 30 seconds before drinking, and consider a certified filter.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. | 10.5 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Near Limit |
| Copper (90th percentile) CopperInorganic A metal that enters drinking water mainly through corrosion of copper plumbing. Small amounts are essential for health, but excess levels are harmful. Health EffectsGastrointestinal distress (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) at short-term high levels; liver and kidney damage from long-term exposure. EPA Limit1.3 mg/L action level Common SourcesCorrosion of copper household plumbing, erosion of natural deposits. | 1.57 | 1.3 | mg/L | Inorganic | Over Limit |
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile lead PF PFAS in Colorado
Cities ranked by compounds detected Cu Copper in Colorado
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile copper
03Ignacio's ten-year track record
Each box is one year. A green check means no EPA violations; a numbered badge counts that year's violations — red if any were health-based, amber if they were monitoring or paperwork issues. The system has 156 violations on record, including 6 health-based violations. 26 remain unresolved.
4 of the last ten years were clean. The numbered years had EPA violations — red when any were health-based, amber when they were paperwork or missed-testing issues.
▼ Down 7.7 ppb since 1994. Latest reading: 6.3 ppb (2025) — 42% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
▼ Down 0.43 mg/L since 1994. The latest reading (1.6 mg/L, 2014) is over the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Ignacio's water comes from
Ignacio's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Surface Water
Rivers, lakes, or reservoirs — more exposed to runoff, agriculture, and seasonal swings than groundwater.
Local treatment
Multi-barrier treatment: coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA standards.
4 systems
4 water systems (1 wholesaler), operated under native american ownership.
2,878 people
Residents served across Ignacio's service area.
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 native american ownership and serves approximately 2,878 people through 4 water systems.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| IGNACIO-SOUTHERN UTE RURAL WATER SYSTEM | 080890001 | 1,527 | Surface Water |
| IGNACIO TOWN OF | CO0134500 | 800 | Purchased Surface Water |
| LA PLATA ARCHULETA WATER DISTRICT | CO0134191 | 510 | Purchased Surface Water |
| VAN DEN BERG MD | CO0134900 | 41 | Purchased Surface Water |
Water bodies near Ignacio
As a surface-water system, these water bodies may directly influence Ignacio's drinking water supply.
05Pressure on Ignacio's watershed
Outside forces that shape what reaches the treatment plant. None of these is a verdict on the tap by itself — but each adds pressure worth knowing about.
Industrial discharge
1 facility within 10 miles reported 0 lb released to surface water in the latest EPA Toxics Release Inventory. Proximity doesn't equal tap contamination — treatment and hydrology decide — but it's pressure on the watershed.
Flood & storm history
3 federal disaster declarations on record for La Plata County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
Drought
La Plata County is in D3 (extreme drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of Jul 2026). Drought can raise disinfection-byproduct levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.
06How Ignacio compares
Scores for nearby Colorado cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Colorado average (45/100)
Ignacio scores 38/100 — below the Colorado average of 45/100. It outscores 2 of 10 nearby cities. Full Colorado rankings →
39.6 / 100FAurora, CO
38.1 / 100FColorado Springs, CO
33.5 / 100DFort Collins, CO
46.8 / 100FLakewood, CO
36.9 / 100FThornton, CO
38 / 100
Compare all cities in the county — grades, violations, and contaminant data side by side.→
07What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Ignacio's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
NSF-certified water filter. Lead detected at 10.5 ppb
Compare tested filters →Flush taps & check your service line
Lead leaches from pipes as water sits. Run cold water 30 seconds before drinking (especially mornings), and ask the utility whether your address still has a lead service line.
Lead risks explained →Watch for Ignacio alerts
This area has a history of flood declarations — after severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories from the utility, and check the live alerts on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is Ignacio, CO tap water safe to drink?
Ignacio's water quality earned a grade of F (38/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #238 out of 244 cities tested in Colorado.
What contaminants are in Ignacio's water?
Lead was measured at 10.5 ppb (90th percentile). 156 violations are on record.
How is Ignacio'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 Ignacio?
While lead levels are within EPA limits, a filter adds extra protection. Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Ignacio's water come from?
Ignacio's water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 4 water systems serving approximately 2,878 residents.
What health violations has Ignacio's water system had?
Ignacio has 6 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. 26 violations remain unresolved.
How does Ignacio's water compare to other cities?
Ignacio ranks #238 out of 244 cities in Colorado (better than 2% of state cities) and #15037 out of 15382 cities nationally (2th percentile). The grade of F reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.