Is Palisade, CO Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded C-, with 2 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
57.9/100
waterverge.com Palisade, CO — Water Quality Report
Palisade's drinking water received a grade of C- (57.9 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 3,060 residents using surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 0.3 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 163 violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.
What to know about Palisade's water
Palisade ranks #146 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, Palisade may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
The system has seen 55 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Palisade, CO water safe to drink?
Palisade's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of C- (57.9/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 3,060 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Palisade
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Palisade's water quality assessment. Grade: C- (57.9/100).
Contaminants: Dinoseb, Hexachlorocyclopentadiene, Aldicarb sulfone.
Contaminants: Surface Water Treatment Rule, Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule.
Contaminants: 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene, cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene, Xylenes, Total.
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 Palisade's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Palisade's water system has 163 total violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved. 55 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Mesa County has experienced 2 federally declared disasters since 1984. 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 Colorado River, Plateau Creek, Colo River Below Grand Valley Div Nr Palisade, Gunnison River.
Where does Palisade's water come from?
Palisade's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 3,060 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment. Nearby water bodies include Colorado River (river), Plateau Creek (river), Colo River Below Grand Valley Div Nr Palisade (river), Gunnison River (river).
What Palisade residents can do
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.
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 droughtMesa County is currently in D4 (exceptional drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). 3.2% 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
Mesa County has experienced 2 federally declared disasters since 1984. 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. | 0.3 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Palisade compares by contaminant
Explore where Palisade ranks among all Colorado cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Palisade's water comes from
Palisade'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 3,060 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near Palisade
Palisade is located near 4 notable water bodies. As a surface water system, these water bodies may directly influence the city's drinking water supply.
Water systems serving Palisade
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| PALISADE TOWN OF | CO0139600 | 3,060 | SW |
How Palisade compares
Full Colorado rankings →Palisade's score of 57.9/100 is above the average of 45/100 among major Colorado cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Colorado rankings →About Palisade, CO
Wikipedia →Palisade is a statutory town in Mesa County, Colorado, United States. It is part of the Grand Junction Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 2,565 at the 2020 census, down from 2,692 in 2010.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Palisade's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Mesa
Frequently asked questions
Is Palisade, CO tap water safe to drink?
Palisade's water quality earned a grade of C- (57.9/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #146 out of 246 cities tested in Colorado.
What contaminants are in Palisade's water?
Lead was measured at 0.3 ppb (90th percentile). 163 violations are on record.
How is Palisade'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 Palisade?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Palisade's water come from?
Palisade's water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 3,060 residents.
What health violations has Palisade's water system had?
Palisade has 2 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in January 2023. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 2 violations remain unresolved.
How does Palisade's water compare to other cities?
Palisade ranks #146 out of 246 cities in Colorado (better than 41% of state cities) and #12333 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 Palisade's small water system affect quality?
Palisade's system serves approximately 3,060 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 163 violations on record.