What was found in Sterling's water
The highest level seen across the city's suppliers, the EPA limit for each, and where the figure comes from.
| Contaminant | Level vs EPA limit | Suppliers | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrate | 5200 µg/L 52% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Fluoride | 3300 µg/L 83% of the EPA limit 4000 µg/L | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| Nitrate-Nitrite | 3100 µg/L 31% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Barium | 250 µg/L 13% of the EPA limit 2000 µg/L | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| TTHM | 157 µg/L 196% of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 80 µg/L | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Nitrite | 80 µg/L 8% of the EPA limit 1000 µg/L | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Bromoform | 39.5 µg/L No EPA limit set | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | 39.1 µg/L 65% of the EPA limit 60 µg/L | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Combined Uranium | 31 µg/L 103% of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 30 µg/L | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| Dibromochloromethane | 22.9 µg/L No EPA limit set | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Lithium | 12.5 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/3 | UCMR-5 |
| Bromodichloromethane | 10.6 µg/L No EPA limit set | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Chromium | 9.7 µg/L 9.7% of the EPA limit 100 µg/L | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Dibromoacetic Acid | 9.3 µg/L No EPA limit set | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Monochloroacetic Acid | 8.3 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon And U | 8.2 pCi/L 55% of the EPA limit 15 pCi/L | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| Arsenic | 8 µg/L 80% of the EPA limit 10 µg/L | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| Selenium | 6 µg/L 12% of the EPA limit 50 µg/L | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| Xylenes, Total | 5.6 µg/L 0.1% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Chloroform | 5.2 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Gross Beta Particle Activity | 3.9 pCi/L No EPA limit set | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Trichloroacetic Acid | 3 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | 2.1 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Combined Radium (-226 And -228) | 1.9 pCi/L 38% of the EPA limit 5 pCi/L | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| Styrene | 1.6 µg/L 1.6% of the EPA limit 100 µg/L | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Antimony, Total | 0.8800 µg/L 15% of the EPA limit 6 µg/L | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Heptachlor | 0.0500 µg/L 13% of the EPA limit 0.4000 µg/L | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Hexachlorobenzene | 0.0490 µg/L 4.9% of the EPA limit 1 µg/L | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Lead | 0.0017 mg/L 11% of the EPA limit 0.0150 mg/L | 3/3 | LCR |
Water suppliers serving Sterling
| Supplier | Population served |
|---|---|
| STERLING CITY OF | 15,100 |
| SAGE POINTE HOA | 194 |
| SUNNYSLOPE HOMEOWNERS | 29 |
Frequently asked questions about Sterling tap water
Is Sterling tap water safe to drink?
EPA testing detected 29 contaminants in the water serving Sterling. A detection isn't the same as a violation — most detected levels are within federal limits. Check the level and source for each contaminant above, and your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report for the official compliance status.
How many water suppliers serve Sterling?
3 public water suppliers report drinking-water monitoring for Sterling, Colorado to the EPA. Each is listed above with its population served.
What contaminants are in Sterling's water?
The contaminants EPA monitoring detected in Sterling include Nitrate, Fluoride, Nitrate-Nitrite, Barium, TTHM. The full list, with the highest level found and the data source, is in the table above.
Where does this data come from?
Every figure is official EPA drinking-water monitoring — the Lead & Copper Rule, the UCMR-5 nationwide testing program, and the EPA Six-Year Review — not our own testing. Each number is labelled with its source and period.