Horsetooth Reservoir and the Upper Cache la Poudre (CLP) River are the drinking water sources for the city. Since the late 1980s, Fort Collins Utilities has conducted water quality monitoring of its drinking water sources. The collection and assessment of water quality data helps the City meet present and future drinking water treatment goals. The data collected provides information to:

• determine long term water quality changes that may increase treatment costs
• support the design and optimization of water treatment plant processes
• determine impacts of human activity on water quality
• support the protection of the City's drinking water sources