The Colorado Water Quality Control Division is part of the

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is the principal department of the Colorado state government responsible for public health and environment Environment most often refers to: __NOTOC__ * Natural environment, all liv ...

. The Water Quality Control Division implements the federal

Clean Water Act The Clean Water Act (CWA) is the primary federal law in the United States governing water pollution. Its objective is to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation's waters; recognizing the responsibiliti ...

and

Safe Drinking Water Act The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) is the principal federal law in the United States intended to ensure safe drinking water for the public. Pursuant to the act, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is required to set standards for drinking w ...

Colorado Colorado (, other variants) is a state in the Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. It encompasses most of the Southern Rocky Mountains, as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of t ...

. It is responsible for water control for the state of Colorado to ensure the protection of both the environment and the public. The division enforces these laws through methods such as implementing local laws and regulations, permits, and routine inspections of public water systems and facilities.

Focus

The Colorado Water Quality Control Division focuses on water quality for the State of Colorado. Its objective is to protect and maintain the quality of water for the public and the environment, as well as ensuring the safest distribution of drinking water. It also implements and enforces policies based on water-related issues. A list of all current and non-current policies can be foun
here.

Programs and Services

Source Water Assessment and Protection Program

One program is the Source Water Assessment and Protection Program, which provides information about the process of purifying and the phases in which water is purified. It encourages public protection and preventive management strategies to ensure that all public drinking water resources are kept safe from future contamination. The program gives a report on water sources across Colorado, giving a detailed report on their conditions. The Water Assessment phase evaluates water sources, scanning for potential water contamination. A list of assessment reports by counties are liste
here

Permits

The division also hands out permits for working in wastewater and stormwater areas. Permits are offered for each sector, which details the planning and regulations in each of those sectors. The types of permits offered are as follows:

Biosolids Biosolids are solid organic matter recovered from a sewage treatment process and used as fertilizer. In the past, it was common for farmers to use animal manure to improve their soil fertility. In the 1920s, the farming community began also to use ...

, Construction, Commerce and Industry, Municipal Stormwater Permitting, Pesticide Permitting, Pretreatment, Reclaimed Water, and Sewage Systems.

Inspections

Inspections are carried out by the Water Quality Control Division, which focuses on ensuring the quality of public water systems across Colorado. There are two types of surveys.

Sanitary Survey

Sanitary Surveys are reviews of specific elements at a public water system to evaluate a facility's ability to produce and distribute drinking water. These surveys are required to be done every three to five years for all public water systems. The inspection letter details any significant violations and deficiencies in the public water system, along with general observations and recommendations to improve the system.

Wastewater Inspection

Wastewater Inspections are reviews of a facility's ability to meet the requirements of the Colorado Discharge Permit System. It inspects three types of facilities, which are Biosolids, Commerce and Industry, and Domestic Wastewater Systems. Inspections, depending on the facility, are done every 1–5 years.

Clean Water Act

The Clean Water Act, implemented in 1972, established a system with the goal of eliminating toxic substances in water and eliminating water pollution.

Safe Drinking Water Act

The Safe Drinking Water Act, implemented in 1974, establishes rules and regulations to ensure safe drinking water for the public. Standards are established across all states to ensure that all drinking water meets established standards.

External links

Official Site

References

{{authority control Water in Colorado State agencies of Colorado