0

Source water assessment and protection (SWAP)

running brook moving through a forest

Program overview

Colorado’s SWAP program was created through the 1996 Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments. Our program is designed to assist Public Water Systems in understanding the risks and threats to their drinking water quality and water supplies, as well as developing actionable plans and partnerships to address water resource challenges.

We award grant funding to communities that develop a source water protection plan through a local stakeholder process, facilitated by the Colorado Rural Water Association at no cost to communities. We also fully fund a Public Water System Values-at-Risk program, focused on digitizing infrastructure assets susceptible to loss or impacts from wildfires, to inform planning and improve incident decision-making and recovery efforts. 

Colorado Wildfire Planning and Recovery Playbook

Exemplary Protection Plans

 

The Town of Basalt utilized a portion of its grant funding to develop a 12-month photo wall calendar, which was distributed to local businesses and government offices. Each month featured a locally captured photograph highlighting the town's natural beauty, paired with educational content on potential sources of contamination and practical tips for reducing risks to the water supply. This calendar served as a continuous reminder to the community about the importance of source water protection.

 

The City of Boulder has demonstrated a strong commitment to source water protection through ongoing stakeholder and inter-agency collaboration. In 2023, the city updated its Source Water Protection Plan, building on the foundation established by the 2017 Plan. Led by Drinking Water Quality Manager Kate Dunlap, the updated plan assesses potential contaminant sources, reviews previously implemented strategies, and outlines new initiatives, projects, and partnerships to enhance source water protection. This effort was supported by more than 25 stakeholder groups, reinforcing the city's collaborative approach to water quality management.

Using CDPHE source water protection grant funding, the city purchased a goose waste harvester to protect water quality at Boulder Reservoir. Staff remove an estimated 1,800 pounds of goose waste annually, significantly reducing nutrient loading and minimizing swim beach closures due to excessive bacteria levels. Expanding on this success, Boulder recycled a portion of the collected waste for agricultural soil enhancement—an innovative step toward sustainable nutrient reduction and reuse.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) partnered in the inaugural Salida Water Festival on August 13, 2016. These water systems hosted an interactive exhibit, allowing children to explore how contaminants enter groundwater resources and how source water protection plans mitigate these risks. Additionally, they distributed water bottles featuring CDPHE’s Source Water Assessment and Protection website, encouraging public engagement in source water protection efforts.

Parkville Water District and Lake County collaborated to establish the first source water-related Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between a county and a public water system. Similarly, Cañon City has an MOU with Fremont County, further demonstrating regional commitment to water quality protection.

 

Denver Water, with professional guidance from the Coalition for the Upper South Platte, undertook a large-scale protection planning effort in the Upper South Platte. This initiative involved a diverse group of stakeholders, led by Sarah Dominick of Denver Water, and incorporated the protection planning template into various watershed management efforts, such as the Fraser River Protection Plan.

Denver Water has been proactive in implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs) and has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) with Park, Jefferson, and Teller Counties. Additionally, Denver Water purchased and distributed emergency spill kits to local fire districts within the watershed, reinforcing emergency preparedness and water resource protection.
 

Contacts