Coming from snowmelt and rainwater, our drinking water has a low mineral content and is naturally soft. Without additional treatment, soft water can be corrosive to home plumbing.

In 1984, eight years before the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) required corrosion control, Fort Collins Utilities implemented a successful corrosion control program to prevent the leaching of lead and copper from water pipes.

Before leaving the treatment plant, calcium carbonate (lime) is added to provide buffering capacity and carbon dioxide is added to adjust pH to optimal, non-corrosive levels. This combination effectively minimizes corrosion of copper plumbing joined with lead-tin solder in home plumbing. Internal plumbing in homes older than the mid-1980s may contain copper pipes with lead-tin soldering.

Contact us at 970-221-6700 with drinking water questions. Any concerns about home plumbing should be directed to a licensed plumber.