Water Issues of Colorado

COLORADO WATER
& WATER WELLS 

Homeowner wells:

* Find out from the seller or real estate agent the age of the well and whether it is registered with the Division of Water Resources. Wells constructed before 1972 may not be registered.

* If the well is registered, get the permit number and look up the permit at the state Division of Water Resources, which can be reached at 303-866-3447.  The permit describes any restrictions on the well. Some permits allow the well to supply water only

for use inside the house.

* Ask the seller or agent for recent well test results on how many gallons per minute the well can pump. A typical residential well should be able to pump at least 7 to 10 gallons per minute.

 

Colorado licensed pump installers or well drillers can be hired to measure a well pump's production and assess whether it will meet your needs. A list of contractors is available at

http://www.water.state.co.us.

* Ask about water quality. A state-certified lab can test it. For a list of labs, call the state water quality control division at 303-692-3500.

* Ask neighbors if they have had any water quality or water pressure problems.  Find out the depth of the well on the property you are considering buying and compare it to  neighbors' wells.

* Inspect the well and make sure it has easy access for repair and maintenance, that the ground slopes away from the top of the well for drainage, that it has a weather-tight seal and that the casing is made of steel. 

* Make sure the well is at least 50 feet away from a septic tank.

 

Municipal wells:

* Contact the city or water district that supplies the water. Ask about any restrictions on water use such as outdoor watering or landscaping.

* Ask about water quality.

* Find out about water fees such as set monthly charges, the rate charged per 1,000 gallons and any special surcharges.

* Ask how many wells the city or district is drilling each year and how that cost will affect rates. Ask what the district's plans are for accommodating future growth.

* The Colorado Water Congress is a source of information to find contacts for water providers. The number is 303-837-0812 and the Web site is:

http://www.cowatercongress.org.

Source: State Division of Water Resources

Well Head


How Much Risk Can I Expect?
The risk of having problems depends on how good your well is-how well it was built and located, and how well you maintain it. It also depends on your local environment. That includes the quality of the aquifer from which your water is drawn and the human activities going on in your area that can affect your well.

Several sources of pollution are easy to spot by sight, taste, or smell. However, many serious problems can be found only by testing your water. Knowing the possible threats in your area will help you decide the kind of tests you may need.

Reasons to Test Your Water

The chart below will help you spot problems. The last five problems listed are not an immediate health concern, but they can make your water taste bad, may indicate problems, and could affect your system long term.

Conditions or Nearby Activities: Test for:
Recurring gastro-intestinal illness Coliform bacteria
Household plumbing contains lead pH, lead, copper
Radon in indoor air or region is radon rich Radon
Corrosion of pipes, plumbing Corrosion, pH, lead
Nearby areas of intensive agriculture Nitrate, pesticides, coliform bacteria
Coal or other mining operations nearby Metals, pH, corrosion
Gas drilling operations nearby Chloride, sodium, barium, strontium
Dump, junkyard, landfill, factory, gas station, or dry-cleaning operation nearby Volatile organic compounds, total dissolved solids, pH, sulfate, chloride, metals
Odor of gasoline or fuel oil, and near gas station or buried fuel tanks Volatile organic compounds
Objectionable taste or smell Hydrogen sulfide, corrosion, metals
Stained plumbing fixtures, laundry Iron, copper, manganese
Salty taste and seawater, or a heavily salted roadway nearby Chloride, total dissolved solids, sodium
Scaly residues, soaps don´t lather Hardness
Rapid wear of water treatment equipment pH, corrosion
Water softener needed to treat hardness Manganese, iron
Water appears cloudy, frothy, or colored Color, detergents

WATER WELLS IN COLORADO - What You Need To Know
(must read pages 8 - 16 of the 20 page document)
http://www.water.state.co.us/pubs/wellpermitguide.pdf
(this is a large .pdf file and may take some time to download - it is great reading and well worth your time.

Another excellent article is:
Drinking Water From Household Wells (an EPA article) at:
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/privatewells/pdfs/household_wells.pdf
(this .pdf file is 24 pages long and may take a minute to download)

Colorado Wells - Permitting, well permit locator, determining well location & water history
http://www.water.state.co.us/groundwater/groundwater.asp

Colorado Water - A History 
http://waterknowledge.colostate.edu/

If you would like to know more about Denver and many other home buying and selling considerations, simply
call us at 303-880-4944 or e-mail us.

When it comes to YOUR real estate needs, why accept less than extraordinary assistance?