Longmont has “safe and reliable drinking water” according to a lead protection program update presented to the Longmont City Council during its study session Tuesday.

A recent service line investigation determined that the city’s water distribution system is “free” of lead water service lines, according to a council memo.

the city announced on October 16 that it conducted a thorough investigation of the service lines in its water system under the direction of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In January 2021, EPA promulgated revisions to drinking water regulations that required water systems to develop an inventory of water service line materials by October 16.

The city’s Oct. 16 announcement said Longmont’s water system poses no risk of lead contamination.

The update provided to the City Council on Tuesday was intended to elaborate on those findings.

The regulatory limit for lead in drinking water is 15 parts per billion. The council memo explained that “one part per billion is like adding one drop of water to a 10,000-gallon swimming pool.” The council memo went on to say that the city’s lead concentration was less than 2 parts per billion, which is far less than the regulatory limit.

Of the state’s 10 largest school districts, only the St. Vrain Valley School District did not have drinking fountains or sinks showing lead levels of 5 parts per billion or higher, the board memo notes.

“Just know that Longmont has safe and reliable drinking water. Our children are safe and…our staff will continue to be diligent in maintaining our system and sampling our water,” John Gage, Longmont engineering and operations manager, said during Tuesday’s study session.

In other news, several people attended the study session to express their concerns about the work being done at Dry Creek Community Park and its impact on wildlife, particularly prairie dogs.

“The City Council must prioritize finding better ways to develop without harming our local ecosystems,” said Longmont resident Jaime Fraina. “Now you have a chance to stop this and make things right.”

Earlier this year, the city announced plans to move a large prairie dog colony from Dry Creek Community Park to prepare the property for park improvements including: additional playing fields, a water plaza with interactive water features, a new playground, restrooms and shelters for parks.

Prairie dogs that were successfully captured at Dry Creek Community Park were relocated to the U.S. Army Pueblo Chemical Depot in Pueblo.

The council did not directly address comments raised during the public comment period about Dry Creek Community Park.

Originally Posted: October 30, 2024 at 4:19 pm MDT