Aurora, Colorado Water Quality Guide
Aurora, located in Arapahoe County and home to over half a million residents, relies primarily on surface water drawn from lakes, rivers, and reservoirs to meet its water needs. The largest water provider, Aurora City of, serves roughly 533,407 people through 14 active public water systems registered with the EPA. Outside the public system coverage, many households depend on private wells. Understanding Aurora’s water quality is essential for residents seeking to enhance their water experience and protect household plumbing.
The water in Aurora is classified as very hard, with hardness levels often ranging from 11 to over 25 grains per gallon. Hard water results from high concentrations of calcium and magnesium minerals, which can cause scale buildup in pipes, water heaters, and fixtures. This mineral scale reduces appliance efficiency, clogs plumbing, and leaves visible spots on dishes and surfaces. For homes serviced by Aurora’s public systems or private wells with similar hardness, installing a water softener is the most effective method to tackle these issues. A water softener exchanges the hardness minerals for sodium or potassium ions, preventing scale accumulation and extending the life of your plumbing and appliances.
Since Aurora’s supply is surface water, the city treats it with disinfectants such as chlorine or chloramine to ensure it is safe to drink. However, these additives can impact water taste and odor. Additionally, surface water sources can carry seasonal sediment and turbidity, especially after storms or during runoff periods, which affects clarity and can leave particles in your water. To improve taste, clarity, and remove sediment, a carbon and sediment filter is highly recommended. These filters trap particles and reduce chlorine and chloramine levels, making your water more pleasant to use for drinking, cooking, and bathing.
For those seeking the highest quality drinking water at the tap, installing a reverse osmosis (RO) system is an excellent choice. RO units remove a wide range of dissolved solids, taste and odor compounds, and many contaminants that remain after municipal treatment. This system is especially beneficial in Aurora, where surface water treatment byproducts and residual disinfectants may affect the water’s flavor and safety.
Because Colorado’s water quality can vary significantly due to local geology and source differences, testing your home water is a smart first step. WaterSoftenerPlus offers free product recommendations tailored to your specific water report through their online request form. Proper sizing of water softeners and filtration units is also critical; their sizing chart assists you in choosing equipment that meets your household’s water usage and hardness level.
Frequently Asked Questions About Aurora Water
Q: Why is my water in Aurora so hard, and what problems does it cause?
A: Aurora’s water hardness often exceeds 11 grains per gallon due to its mineral-rich surface water sources. Hard water causes scale buildup in pipes and appliances, reduces soap efficiency, and can leave spots on dishes and fixtures. Installing a water softener effectively addresses these issues by removing hardness minerals.
Q: Should I consider a carbon or sediment filter for my Aurora water?
A: Yes. Because Aurora’s water is treated with chlorine or chloramine and can carry seasonal sediment or turbidity, a carbon and sediment filter improves taste and clarity by removing these impurities. This filter is an excellent complement to a water softener for whole-home water quality improvement.
Q: Is a reverse osmosis system necessary for drinking water in Aurora?
A: While Aurora’s water meets EPA standards, a reverse osmosis system provides extra protection by removing dissolved solids, disinfectant by-products, and tastes or odors caused by surface water treatment. It is highly recommended for households wanting purified water at the kitchen sink. WaterSoftenerPlus ships RO systems directly to Aurora, CO, making installation convenient.