Is Rangely, 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 ↓
69.8/100
waterverge.com Rangely, CO — Water Quality Report
Rangely's drinking water received a grade of C+ (69.8 out of 100), indicating fair water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,495 residents using surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 2.0 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 66 violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.
What to know about Rangely's water
Rangely ranks #123 out of 246 cities in Colorado for water quality, placing it mid-range 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, Rangely may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
The system has seen 33 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Rangely, CO water safe to drink?
Rangely's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of C+ (69.8/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,495 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Rangely
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Rangely's water quality assessment. Grade: C+ (69.8/100).
Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
Contaminants: Chlordane, Endrin, Methoxychlor.
Contaminants: CARBON, 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 Rangely's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Rangely's water system has 66 total violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved. 33 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Rio Blanco 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.
Where does Rangely's water come from?
Rangely's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 2,495 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment.
What Rangely 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 droughtRio Blanco County is currently in D4 (exceptional drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). 37.8% 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
Rio Blanco 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. | 2.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Rangely compares by contaminant
Explore where Rangely ranks among all Colorado cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Rangely's water comes from
Rangely'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 2,495 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Rangely
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| RANGELY TOWN OF | CO0152666 | 2,495 | SW |
How Rangely compares
Full Colorado rankings →Rangely's score of 69.8/100 is above the average of 45/100 among major Colorado cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Colorado rankings →About Rangely, CO
Wikipedia →Rangely is a statutory town in Rio Blanco County, Colorado, United States. The population was 2,299 at the 2020 census. Rangely is the home of Colorado Northwestern Community College.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Rangely's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Rio Blanco
Frequently asked questions
Is Rangely, CO tap water safe to drink?
Rangely's water quality earned a grade of C+ (69.8/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #123 out of 246 cities tested in Colorado.
What contaminants are in Rangely's water?
Lead was measured at 2.0 ppb (90th percentile). 66 violations are on record.
How is Rangely'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 Rangely?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Rangely's water come from?
Rangely's water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 2,495 residents.
What health violations has Rangely's water system had?
Rangely has 3 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. 2 violations remain unresolved.
How does Rangely's water compare to other cities?
Rangely ranks #123 out of 246 cities in Colorado (better than 50% of state cities) and #10853 out of 15744 cities nationally (31th percentile). The grade of C+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Rangely's small water system affect quality?
Rangely's system serves approximately 2,495 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 66 violations on record.