Is Walsenburg, CO Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded D, with 66 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
49/100
waterverge.com Walsenburg, CO — Water Quality Report
Walsenburg's drinking water received a grade of D (49 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 6 water systems serve approximately 4,329 residents using surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 0.0 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 390 violations on record, including 47 health-based violations. 66 remain unresolved.
What to know about Walsenburg's water
Walsenburg ranks #175 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.
The system has seen 91 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Walsenburg, CO water safe to drink?
Walsenburg's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of D (49/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 6 water systems serve approximately 4,329 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Walsenburg
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Walsenburg's water quality assessment. Grade: D (49/100).
Contaminants: Public Notice.
Contaminants: Public Notice, Surface Water Treatment Rule, Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule.
Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule, Public Notice.
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 Walsenburg's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Walsenburg's water system has 390 total violations on record, including 47 health-based violations. 66 remain unresolved. 91 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Huerfano County has experienced 1 federally declared disaster since 2005. 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 Walsenburg's water come from?
Walsenburg's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 6 water systems serving approximately 4,329 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment.
What Walsenburg residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Walsenburg'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.
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 droughtHuerfano County is currently in D4 (exceptional drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). 11.0% 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
Huerfano County has experienced 1 federally declared disaster since 2005. 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. | 0.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Walsenburg compares by contaminant
Explore where Walsenburg ranks among all Colorado cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Walsenburg's water comes from
Walsenburg'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 4,329 people through 6 water systems.
Water systems serving Walsenburg
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| WALSENBURG CITY OF | CO0128900 | 3,230 | SW |
| GARDNER WATER AND SANITATION DIST | CO0128300 | 400 | GW |
| NAVAJO WESTERN WD RESORTS | CO0128600 | 341 | GW |
| NAVAJO WESTERN WATER DISTRICT ESTATES | CO0128625 | 145 | GW |
| SPANISH PEAKS VILLAGE TRACT II WA | CO0128800 | 138 | GW |
| PINON HILLS WATER USERS ASSOCIATION | CO0128650 | 75 | GW |
How Walsenburg compares
Full Colorado rankings →Walsenburg's score of 49/100 is on par with the average of 45/100 among major Colorado cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Colorado rankings →About Walsenburg, CO
Wikipedia →Walsenburg is the statutory city that is the county seat of and the most populous municipality in Huerfano County, Colorado, United States. The city population was 3,049 at the 2020 census, down from 3,068 in 2010.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Walsenburg's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Huerfano
Frequently asked questions
Is Walsenburg, CO tap water safe to drink?
Walsenburg's water quality earned a grade of D (49/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #175 out of 246 cities tested in Colorado.
What contaminants are in Walsenburg's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 390 violations are on record.
How is Walsenburg'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 Walsenburg?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Walsenburg's water come from?
Walsenburg's water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 6 water systems serving approximately 4,329 residents.
What health violations has Walsenburg's water system had?
Walsenburg has 47 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in January 2026. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 66 violations remain unresolved.
How does Walsenburg's water compare to other cities?
Walsenburg ranks #175 out of 246 cities in Colorado (better than 29% of state cities) and #13313 out of 15744 cities nationally (15th percentile). The grade of D reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.