Water

Frederick Drinking Water

Did you know, the water that flows through your tap first flowed under the Rocky Mountain National Park? The Town’s drinking water primarily comes from the Colorado River that is delivered to Carter Lake. Learn more about where your water comes from, how it gets to your house and our plans to meet future water needs.

Beginning in early June, the Central Weld County Water District (CWCWD) and Little Thompson Water District (LTWD) will implement a blending process at the water treatment plant, combining water from Dry Creek Reservoir with the primary source, Carter Lake Reservoir. This change aims to enhance water quality and ensure a reliable supply for water customers.

To optimize water resources, the blending of water from Dry Creek Reservoir with that from Carter Lake Reservoir will be done at a 10% dilution rate. Previously, the dilution rate stood at 20%. This revised process is not limited to seasonal adjustments but is intended for year-round blending, ensuring a consistent and reliable water supply.

Some people might notice a slight difference in taste or smell because of the blending, but don't worry! The water is still safe to drink and meets high-quality standards. As the blending process takes effect, it is essential to note that the changes in taste or odor, if any, will be minimal. Water experts and technicians have worked diligently to ensure a smooth transition and maintain the high quality of our water supply. We encourage residents to provide feedback should they have any concerns or questions, as your input is vital in helping us continuously improve our services

The Central Weld County Water District filter plant will continue conducting daily water quality tests, just as it does presently. These rigorous tests monitor and maintain the highest water safety standards, ensuring you receive only the best drinking water possible. The health and well-being of our residents remain our top priority. Blending water sources is a carefully planned and executed procedure that adheres to stringent regulatory guidelines. As a result, you can trust that the water delivered to your taps is thoroughly treated, tested, and fully compliant with all safety regulations.

Implementing the revised blending process at the water treatment plant marks an important step forward in our commitment to providing residents with safe and great-tasting drinking water. In addition, by combining water from Dry Creek Reservoir and Carter Lake Reservoir, we are fortifying our water supply and ensuring its reliability throughout the year. Rest assured that the Central Weld County Water District and Little Thompson Water District remain dedicated to delivering the highest quality water while upholding rigorous safety standards. Let's embrace this positive change together as we strive for a healthier and more sustainable future.

Annual Drinking Water Quality Report

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires that all community water systems provide their customers with an annual water quality report or Consumer Confidence Report. This requirement is part of the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations, as amended.

The Town of Frederick does not operate its own treatment plant; however, we do purchase treated water from Carter Lake. Under these arrangements, they are the agency that would compile and report the data that EPA requires.

View the annual report for the Town of Frederick. This information is supplied to you to comply with EPA regulation and give information that may be of interest to you about your drinking water. If you have specific questions about the information contained in the report, you should contact Carter Lake at 970-352-3624. If you have general questions about the EPA requirements, you should contact the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

Potable Water Supply

Within Frederick’s town limits, there are three entities involved with public potable water supply (water fit for consumption by humans and other animals). Those suppliers are the Town of Frederick, Central Weld County Water District, and Left Hand Water District. All residents on the east side of I-25 are Town of Frederick customers.  

New Residents

If you are a new resident living on the east side of I-25 you are a Town of Frederick water customer. Instructions for setting up utility billing for your new residence can be found here. If you are a resident living on the west side of I-25 you are a customer of Left Hand Water District. For questions regarding utility billing from Left Hand Water District please visit their website

Outside Suppliers

For certain areas where the town’s distribution system has not been extended, such as Frederick West Business Park, Central Weld County Water District  (CWCWD) provides service from their transmission mains. Left Hand Water District supplies all public potable water demand on the west side of Interstate 25 (I-25).

Colorado-Big Thompson Project

The Town’s potable water supply comes from Colorado River water delivered to Carter Lake through the Colorado-Big Thompson Project.

This high-quality source water is treated by CWCWD’s treatment and storage facilities located west of Berthoud, Colorado. A high-pressure CWCWD transmission main transports water to the town’s distribution mains through a number of master meters from which point the town’s water distribution system begins.

Future Potable Water Supplies

To avoid expensive capital investments and to be good stewards of limited natural resources, the Town encourages water conservation through financial and educational means. In order to secure adequate supplies of high-quality water for the Town’s current and future potable supplies, Frederick is one of 14 Northern Colorado water providers involved with the Northern Integrated Supply Project (NISP).

Raw Water

The Town of Frederick has implemented a Raw Water System (RWS) for irrigation to complement the town’s potable water system. The Raw Water System supply is fed from the Lower Boulder Ditch and stored in Milavec Lake. Untreated, non-potable, water is pumped out of Milavec Lake to supply three irrigation ponds on Town property. Two ponds are located on the Bella Rosa Golf Course and the third is located in Centennial Park. 

September 8, 2020: What's up with the low water level at Milavec Lake? Think of the lake as a water storage area. In the spring, the lake is filled with water for summer irrigation programs. For example, lake water supplies the sprinklers in our parks. With an expanding raw water irrigation system and hot conditions, more water comes out of the lake, causing the water level to drop. Restrictions determine what water sources can be stored in the lake and when the water sources are available for storage. This is why you see the water level start high in the spring, drop in the summer, and then rise again in the fall.

Raw Water System Expansion

The Town has plans to expand the RWS to a majority of the Town limits. New developments are installing raw water lines to use raw water to irrigate the shared open space and parks. The Town plans to add raw water distribution lines into additional developments as funds allow.  There are also plans to develop the Town’s raw water irrigation facilities on the west side of I-25 which the Town has discussed with Left Hand Water District.