Your tap water meets safety standards: but that doesn’t always equal complete peace of mind. Across Colorado, from Denver’s urban neighborhoods to Parker’s growing subdivisions, homeowners consistently ask about the same three water quality concerns: bacteria and microorganisms they can’t see, PFAS chemicals making headlines, and lead from aging plumbing systems.

Even when public water utilities meet EPA requirements, many families want to understand what might still be flowing through their pipes and what options exist to improve taste, safety, and confidence. The good news? Today’s water treatment technology can be tailored to address exactly what matters most to your household: whether that’s eliminating invisible contaminants, removing persistent chemicals, or protecting against lead exposure in older Denver-area homes.

1. Bacteria and Microorganisms: The Invisible Concern

Why Colorado homeowners worry about bacteria in their water

Bacteria and microorganisms represent the contaminants you can’t see, smell, or taste: making them naturally unsettling for families. While municipal water treatment in Denver and surrounding areas includes chlorination and other disinfection processes designed to eliminate harmful bacteria, homeowners often wonder about what might still be present or what could enter their plumbing system after treatment.

According to the CDC, even treated municipal water can occasionally contain low levels of bacteria, particularly during system maintenance, pipe repairs, or seasonal changes in source water. In Colorado, spring snowmelt and summer monsoons can introduce additional organic matter into water supplies, potentially increasing bacterial load even within safe drinking water standards.

Common bacteria concerns in Denver-area homes:

• E. coli and coliform bacteria – indicators of potential contamination from sewage or animal waste
• Legionella – can grow in hot water systems and plumbing fixtures
• General aerobic bacteria – naturally occurring organisms that affect taste and odor

The challenge for homeowners is that standard water reports don’t provide real-time bacteria testing for individual homes. Your water might test clean at the treatment plant but pick up bacteria through aging distribution lines or home plumbing systems.

Professional solutions for bacteria concerns

Whole-house water filtration systems with UV sterilization provide comprehensive bacteria protection at every tap in your home. Unlike boiling water or relying on municipal chlorination alone, UV systems eliminate bacteria and viruses without adding chemicals to your water supply.

For drinking water specifically, reverse osmosis systems remove bacteria along with other contaminants, delivering bottle-quality water directly from your kitchen tap. Many Denver families combine whole-house filtration with point-of-use reverse osmosis for complete peace of mind.

2. PFAS: “Forever Chemicals” in Colorado’s Spotlight

Understanding PFAS concerns across Colorado

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) have earned the nickname “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down naturally in the environment or human body. These synthetic compounds were used for decades in non-stick cookware, firefighting foam, food packaging, and industrial processes: and they’re now detected in water supplies across Colorado.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has identified PFAS contamination in several areas, particularly near military installations and industrial sites. In 2017, areas around Colorado Springs measured PFAS levels at 1,370 parts per trillion: nearly twenty times higher than EPA health advisories recommended at the time.

More than 100,000 Colorado residents have used public water systems with elevated PFAS levels, according to state health data. While new EPA regulations are setting enforceable limits, many homeowners don’t want to wait for municipal upgrades to address these persistent contaminants.

Health concerns driving PFAS awareness:

Research links PFAS exposure to thyroid disruption, hormonal imbalances, immune system effects, and increased risk of certain cancers. Because these chemicals accumulate in the body over time, reducing daily exposure becomes particularly important for families with children or pregnant women.

Effective home treatment for PFAS removal

Reverse osmosis filtration remains the most effective residential treatment for PFAS removal, with properly maintained systems eliminating over 95% of these persistent chemicals. Unlike standard carbon filters, reverse osmosis uses membrane technology specifically designed to remove molecular-level contaminants.

For Colorado families concerned about PFAS in drinking and cooking water, point-of-use reverse osmosis systems installed at kitchen sinks provide targeted protection where it matters most. Some homeowners in areas with confirmed PFAS contamination opt for whole-house reverse osmosis systems to protect water used throughout their homes.

3. Lead: A Hidden Risk in Older Colorado Homes

Why lead contamination worries Denver-area homeowners

Lead doesn’t occur naturally in Colorado’s water supplies, but it can leach into drinking water through aging pipes, solder joints, and plumbing fixtures: particularly in homes built before 1986 when lead solder was still commonly used. Across Denver’s historic neighborhoods, from Capitol Hill to Highlands, many homes contain plumbing components that could contribute lead to otherwise clean municipal water.

The EPA estimates that 10-20% of lead exposure comes from drinking water, with the remainder from paint, dust, and soil. However, for infants consuming formula mixed with tap water, drinking water can represent up to 60% of total lead exposure, according to CDC data.

Lead exposure risks that concern Colorado families:

Children under six face the greatest risk from lead exposure, which can affect brain development, learning abilities, and behavior. Even low levels of lead exposure can cause permanent developmental delays and reduced IQ. For adults, chronic lead exposure may contribute to high blood pressure, kidney problems, and reproductive issues.

The challenge in older Colorado homes is that lead contamination often goes undetected without specific testing. Unlike bacteria that might affect taste or PFAS making news headlines, lead contamination typically has no taste, smell, or visible signs.

Professional lead testing and removal solutions

If your Denver-area home was built before 1986, professional water testing becomes essential for identifying potential lead contamination. Aqua Serve’s comprehensive water testing includes specific lead analysis that reveals contamination levels and helps determine appropriate treatment approaches.

For confirmed lead contamination, certified lead-removal filtration systems provide reliable protection. Point-of-use systems installed at kitchen sinks ensure safe drinking and cooking water, while whole-house systems protect water throughout the home. In severe cases, replacing lead-containing plumbing components may be necessary alongside filtration.

Tailoring Water Treatment to Your Family’s Needs

Choosing solutions based on your specific concerns

The beauty of modern water treatment technology is its ability to address multiple contaminants simultaneously while focusing on your family’s primary concerns. Many Denver homeowners discover that a comprehensive approach: combining professional testing with targeted filtration: provides the most effective and economical protection.

Common Colorado homeowner scenarios:

• New families with young children often prioritize lead removal and bacteria elimination through point-of-use reverse osmosis and whole-house UV systems
• Health-conscious households may focus on PFAS removal and general chemical reduction through advanced reverse osmosis technology
• Older homes in established Denver neighborhoods typically benefit from comprehensive testing followed by customized filtration addressing multiple contaminants

The importance of professional water testing

While understanding common contaminants helps inform your decisions, every home’s water quality is unique. Factors like your specific location within Denver’s water system, your home’s plumbing age and materials, and seasonal variations in source water all affect what treatment approach works best for your family.

Professional water testing provides the foundation for effective treatment decisions. Rather than guessing about potential contaminants or over-treating your water, testing reveals exactly what’s present and helps design solutions targeting your specific concerns.

Why Professional Installation and Maintenance Matter

Ensuring effective contaminant removal

While understanding water contaminants empowers better decisions, removing them effectively requires properly designed, installed, and maintained treatment systems. Bacteria, PFAS, and lead each require specific treatment approaches that must be correctly matched to your water conditions and properly maintained to ensure ongoing effectiveness.

Professional installation ensures that filtration systems meet manufacturer specifications and local plumbing codes while delivering the contaminant removal performance your family depends on. Regular maintenance and filter replacement maintain system effectiveness over time.

Aqua Serve’s Denver-area expertise

With over 30 years serving Colorado homeowners, Aqua Serve understands the unique water quality challenges facing Denver-area families. From PFAS concerns in specific neighborhoods to lead risks in historic homes, our licensed technicians provide the local expertise and customized solutions that generic systems can’t match.

Our comprehensive approach combines thorough water testing with professional system design, installation, and ongoing maintenance: ensuring that your family’s water treatment investment delivers lasting protection against the contaminants that matter most to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know which contaminants are in my home’s water?

Professional water testing is the only reliable way to identify specific contaminants in your home’s water supply. Municipal water reports show treatment plant quality, but your home’s plumbing system, location within the distribution network, and seasonal variations can all affect what actually comes from your taps.

Can one filtration system remove bacteria, PFAS, and lead?

Reverse osmosis systems effectively remove all three contaminants, making them popular choices for comprehensive protection. However, combining different technologies (like UV sterilization for bacteria and specialized carbon for PFAS) sometimes provides more targeted and cost-effective treatment.

Are these contaminants more common in certain Denver neighborhoods?

Lead risks are higher in older neighborhoods with homes built before 1986. PFAS contamination varies by location relative to industrial sites and airports. Bacteria concerns can occur anywhere, particularly during seasonal changes or system maintenance. Professional testing reveals your specific situation regardless of neighborhood.

How often should I test my water for these contaminants?

Annual testing provides a good baseline for most homes. However, test more frequently if you live in an older home, have experienced plumbing changes, or notice taste, odor, or appearance changes in your water. Pregnant women and families with young children may want to test more frequently for lead and bacteria.

Ready to understand what’s actually in your Denver-area home’s water supply? Our comprehensive water testing reveals the specific contaminants affecting your family and helps design treatment solutions targeting your unique concerns and budget.

Schedule your free in-home water quality consultation with Aqua Serve’s licensed technicians. We’ll test your water, explain your results in plain English, and design treatment options that deliver the clean, safe water your family deserves.

Last updated: January 2026