Is Westcliffe, CO Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded B-, with 10 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
74.5/100
waterverge.com Westcliffe, CO — Water Quality Report
Westcliffe's drinking water received a grade of B- (74.5 out of 100), indicating fair water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 1,994 residents using groundwater.
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 20 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 10 remain unresolved.
What to know about Westcliffe's water
Westcliffe ranks #104 out of 246 cities in Colorado for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.
Westcliffe relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff.
As a small community water system, Westcliffe may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
The system has seen 11 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Westcliffe, CO water safe to drink?
Westcliffe's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B- (74.5/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 1,994 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Westcliffe
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Westcliffe's water quality assessment. Grade: B- (74.5/100).
Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), TTHM.
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 Westcliffe's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Westcliffe's water system has 20 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 10 remain unresolved. 11 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Custer 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 Westcliffe's water come from?
Westcliffe's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 2 water systems serving approximately 1,994 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.
What Westcliffe residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Westcliffe'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
D3 — extreme droughtCuster County is currently in D3 (extreme drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). 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
Custer 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 Westcliffe compares by contaminant
Explore where Westcliffe ranks among all Colorado cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Westcliffe's water comes from
Westcliffe's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals.
Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds.
The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 1,994 people through 2 water systems.
Water systems serving Westcliffe
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROUND MOUNTAIN WSD | CO0114500 | 1,950 | GW |
| VALLEY VIEW PARK MOBILE HOME COMMUNITY | CO0114801 | 44 | GWP |
How Westcliffe compares
Full Colorado rankings →Westcliffe's score of 74.5/100 is above the average of 45/100 among major Colorado cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Colorado rankings →About Westcliffe, CO
Wikipedia →Westcliffe is a statutory town that is the county seat of Custer County, Colorado, United States. As of the 2020 census, Westcliffe had a population of 435.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Westcliffe's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Custer
Frequently asked questions
Is Westcliffe, CO tap water safe to drink?
Westcliffe's water quality earned a grade of B- (74.5/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #104 out of 246 cities tested in Colorado.
What contaminants are in Westcliffe's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 20 violations are on record.
How is Westcliffe'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 Westcliffe?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Westcliffe's water come from?
Westcliffe's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 1,994 residents.
Is Westcliffe's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Westcliffe uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 20 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.
How does Westcliffe's water compare to other cities?
Westcliffe ranks #104 out of 246 cities in Colorado (better than 58% of state cities) and #9837 out of 15744 cities nationally (38th percentile). The grade of B- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.