Pentek Yellow, Tea-Colored Tannin Water Filter

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How many samples and wells stand behind the figures, and what a small sample means

The water quality information covering El Paso County’s public water system, served by Colorado Springs Utilities (PWSID CO0121150), is drawn from surface water sources and represents over 150,000 service connections. This extensive sampling network underpins the region’s water quality records. However, it is important to note there are no federal monitoring data or measurements for tannins within this public water system’s records or any other federal datasets. Hence, no regional concentration or range of tannin levels can be stated from government sources.

Despite the large population and number of connections, the absence of direct tannin analysis in these data means regional averages or typical values cannot be inferred. For a household wondering about tannins specifically, this means public system data provide no direct evidence to gauge presence or concentration.

What changes for a large household, a second home, or a seasonal property

The water system serves a large, primarily residential customer base in El Paso County, including single-family homes, multi-unit dwellings, and other residential setups. Seasonal properties or second homes might experience different water use patterns or potential storage effects, but the public system does not differentiate water quality by property type or usage volume. Thus, tannin considerations do not vary in the public record based on household size or seasonality, leaving individual testing as the only way to establish tannin presence for specific homes or seasonal residences.

The household or facility symptoms that do and do not point to this problem

Tannins, naturally occurring organic compounds from decayed vegetation, can cause tea-colored or yellow to brown staining and discoloration in water. If a household observes persistent tea-colored staining on sinks, fixtures, or laundry, or notices water discoloration especially after rainfall or snowmelt periods, tannins could be a contributor. However, such discoloration can also arise from other causes like iron or manganese, which must be ruled out by testing.

It’s important to understand that clear or colorless water does not guarantee the absence of tannins since concentrations below visual detection thresholds may exist. Nor do typical public system water quality records identify tannins as an issue, so symptomatic household observations remain critical for deciding on treatment pathways.

How seasonal or multi-year variation shows in the record (dates and ranges given)

The Colorado Springs Utilities public water system record includes sampling dates extending into 2025, documenting no health-based violations and consistent treatment processes. While tannins are not analyzed, surface water supplies typically experience seasonal organic material fluctuations, often increasing tannin precursor compounds during spring runoff or autumn leaf fall.

Because tannins are not routinely measured by the system, any seasonal variation affecting tannin levels in tap water remains unreported. Households suspecting tannins based on water appearance changes should observe symptom timing and consider testing during suspected high-tannin periods to best capture relevant variations.

What the measured range means against the relevant federal standard, and what it does not mean

Although federal standards do not set a maximum contaminant level for tannins, the absence of tannin measurement in the public record means no official range or compliance status exists for this constituent. The system’s record showing no health-based violations confirms that, regarding federally regulated health parameters, water meets accepted quality standards.

This lack of tannin data in no way indicates a safety issue but merely reflects that tannins fall outside mandatory monitoring requirements. Because tannins primarily affect aesthetic qualities such as water color and staining, treatment decisions rely on household needs rather than regulatory thresholds.

The single test you should order, and what result would settle the question

For a household in El Paso County considering whether tannin treatment is necessary, the crucial step is to have a certified laboratory perform a specific tannin concentration test on your own water supply. This test measures the color-causing organic material expressed as tannins (often reported in mg/L or ppm).

A confirmed tannin level above a minimal aesthetic threshold would support investment in targeted treatment. The Pentek Yellow, Tea-Colored Tannin Water Filter system is designed to reduce tannin discoloration effectively when deployed based on such testing. It ships ready to configure for residential use, providing a documented solution once the tannin presence and concentration have been established.

Where this information comes from

Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2025-12-31. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.

On record: EPA SDWIS record for COLORADO SPRINGS UTILITIES (CO0121150), surface water supply, serving 464111 people: 0 health-based violations of 2 total; lead 90th percentile 0.0057 mg/L