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Water Standards

Water Standards

COF-EPA2Under the authority of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets standards for approximately 90 contaminants in drinking water. For each of these contaminants, the EPA sets a legal limit, called a Maximum Contaminant Level or requires a certain treatment to be done before water can be distributed to the public. Water suppliers may not provide water that doesn't meet these standards. Water that meets these standards is safe to drink, although people with severely Compromised Immune Systems and children (Review the City of Fountain's Fluoride Levels in the Related Pages below) may have special needs.

Water GlassThe Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) is the main federal law that ensures the quality of Americans' drinking water. Under SDWA, EPA sets standards for drinking water quality and oversees the states, localities, and water suppliers who implement those standards. The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) was originally passed by Congress in 1974 to protect public health by regulating the nation's public drinking water supply. The law was amended in 1986 and 1996 and requires many actions to protect drinking water and its sources: rivers, lakes, reservoirs, springs, and ground water wells. (SDWA does not regulate private wells which serve fewer than 25 individuals.)

Fountain's Water Department tests its water and is in compliance with all rules and regulations set forth by the SDWA and EPA's guidelines. A Water Quality Report or Consumer Confidence Report is distributed once a year showing the various tests conducted throughout the previous year and lists the compliance figures with the health goal and EPA's limits in order to meet all local, state and federal laws as a water provider.

WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION REGARDING WATER ISSUES? 
For more information on your drinking water you can:Phone

  • Call Fountain's Water Department at 719-322-2072;

  • Check with your local library on water issues, including the SDWA;

  • Call EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at: 1-800-426-4791;

  • Explore the Office of Ground Water & Drinking Water's website; or

  • Order publications from the EPA on various topics from source water protection to home well use.