The Widefield Water System and Your Tap Water in El Paso County
The Widefield Water and Sanitation District (WSD) supplies water to over 27,000 residents in El Paso County, Colorado. Its source is surface water, which undergoes treatment before reaching homes. Government data collected between 2013 and 2015 under EPA's Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR3) shows that chromium-6, also known as hexavalent chromium or chromium(VI), was detected in many samples, though no federal maximum contaminant level (MCL) exists for this constituent.
Trivalent Chromium Versus Hexavalent Chromium: Why Total Chromium Numbers Don’t Tell the Full Story
In water quality reports, total chromium values combine chromium(III) and chromium(VI). Chromium(III) is a naturally occurring form essential in trace amounts for humans, while chromium(VI) is a different chemical species with distinct properties. The Widefield system recorded total chromium values with a maximum near 1.1 micrograms per liter (µg/L) or parts per billion (ppb), and chromium-6 with a highest detected value of 0.62 µg/L. Because these forms behave differently, testing total chromium alone cannot determine the specific level of chromium(VI) in your water, making targeted testing necessary to understand your household’s water chemistry more precisely.
Comparing Ion Exchange and Reverse Osmosis for Addressing Chromium(VI)
When evaluating options to address chromium(VI) in household water, it helps to understand how ion exchange and reverse osmosis technologies function differently. Ion exchange units typically target chromium(VI) by exchanging ions in the water with those fixed on resin beads, effectively lowering chromium(VI) concentrations under many conditions. Reverse osmosis uses a semipermeable membrane to physically separate contaminants, including chromium(VI), from water, producing high-quality filtered water. However, reverse osmosis may generate wastewater and require specific maintenance factors. Both technologies can be used to manage chromium-6 levels detected in this region, each with distinct operational characteristics to consider for your household demand.
Distinguishing Chromium(VI) Concerns from Other Common Water Issues
Chromium(VI) is often confused with other water quality challenges such as total dissolved solids or iron staining. Unlike these issues, chromium(VI) is a specific chemical form of chromium, distinct in its source and behavior in water. The presence of chromium(VI) does not equate to iron or hardness problems, which involve different ions and scales. Understanding these distinctions helps avoid misidentifying water treatment needs and ensures choosing equipment focused on chromium(VI) where it has been detected by Widefield Water’s monitoring.
How Source Type and Sample Depth Influence Chromium(VI) Levels
The origin of water—surface water or groundwater—and where it is sampled can affect chromium(VI) concentrations. The Widefield system relies on surface water, which may be subject to different chemical inputs compared to deep wells. Sample depth also matters as chromium(VI) concentrations can vary with location in the water system and treatment processes en route to your tap. For accurate knowledge of your household water, specific testing at the point of entry is recommended, as regional data alone cannot pinpoint conditions inside a home.
Chromium(VI) in El Paso County Groundwater and Distribution Systems
Chromium(VI) may enter groundwater and distribution systems through natural geochemical processes and human activities. In the Widefield system area, the monitoring data revealed frequent detections, meaning instruments measured chromium(VI) in samples, not that the water exceeded any safety standard or federal limit. Understanding the pathway from source water to pipe helps contextualize why this constituent appears and how treatment options can address it effectively for household use.
In summary, the Widefield Water and Sanitation District's recorded chromium-6 results reflect regional monitoring of surface water serving El Paso County residents. This data provides essential background but does not define water quality at any individual household’s tap. For tailored management of chromium(VI), testing your own water is the step needed to choose the best solution. The Pentair Chromium-6 Filter ships ready to configure and is documented to address chromium-6 found in residential water supplies. To explore the official records, consult the EPA’s public water system data for Widefield WSD.
Where this information comes from
Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2014-08-11. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.
On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for Widefield WSD (CO0121900), CO: 98 results across 2 listed contaminants, 58 detections above the reporting level; no federal MCL for hexavalent chromium; total chromium MCL 100 ug/L