What 'Detected', 'Median' and 'Range' Mean in the Boulder Water Sampling Record
When government agencies report on bacteria in Boulder City of’s public water system, terms like 'detected', 'median', and 'range' appear frequently. 'Detected' indicates that testing instruments found some presence of bacteria at a point in time. It does not imply a health violation or unsafe water on its own. 'Median' is the middle value in a set of measurements, offering a central tendency but not capturing all variation. 'Range' shows the spread between lowest and highest results seen during monitoring. These figures reflect system-wide sampling, not conditions inside any specific household.
How Seasonal or Multi-Year Variation Shows in the Record
The Boulder public water system draws from surface water sources, which can vary seasonally due to rainfall, temperature, and watershed conditions. Government sampling includes multiple dates over the years, providing a timeline of fluctuations. For example, bacteria presence can rise during warmer months or after storm events. The sampling record notes EPA health-based violations on two occasions, out of seven total, indicating occasional challenges in maintaining bacterial control. Such events underscore the importance of ongoing monitoring rather than a static condition.
What a Certified Laboratory Test for Bacteria Reports and How to Read It
A certified lab test for bacteria in your household water provides specific counts of indicator bacteria groups such as coliforms or E. coli. These test results include presence or absence and quantify colony counts. Reading these reports involves understanding detection thresholds and comparing results against public health guidance. Unlike public system data, these tests reflect your home’s actual water condition and help determine if treatment is needed.
How Public-System Records Differ from Private-Well Testing in What They Establish
Public water system records, such as those reported for Boulder City of, sample water at distribution points and summarize overall system quality. They do not assess water within individual households or private wells. Private well testing is necessary to establish bacterial presence or absence at a home’s actual point of use. Public system data provides context and potential risk indicators but cannot replace a household-specific test.
A Worked Example: Reading the Record’s Median and Range as a Homeowner Would
Suppose Boulder’s system data shows a median bacterial presence that is low or undetected but occasional higher readings within the range. This means most samples had little or no bacteria detected, but some samples showed elevated levels at times. As a homeowner, this signals that while the system is generally controlled, periods of bacterial presence can occur. Testing your own water clarifies your particular condition. If presence is confirmed, a treatment option like the Fleck Bacteria & Coliform (Well) Filter, which ships ready to configure, can reduce bacteria effectively.
How to Compare This Area’s Record with a Neighboring County's Without Overreading It
Comparing Boulder County’s bacterial data to that of a neighboring county should be done with caution. Differences in source water, treatment methods, and sample timing affect results. A higher detection number in one area does not necessarily mean poorer water quality without considering these factors. Both counties might experience occasional bacteria detections without health violations, reflecting natural variability and system management. Avoid inferring individual household risk solely from regional data.
In summary, Boulder City of’s public water system record covers about 16,6000 residents and 31,959 connections, showing two EPA health-based violations for bacteria over time. These data provide a system-level view based on surface water sources and multiple treatment processes. To understand your household water’s bacterial condition, testing at a certified lab is essential. For managing bacterial presence, the Fleck Bacteria & Coliform (Well) Filter remains a documented solution that ships ready to configure. More details and official records are available through the EPA’s public water system database.
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 BOULDER CITY OF (CO0107152), surface water supply, serving 166080 people: 2 health-based violations of 7 total; lead 90th percentile 0.002 mg/L
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