The Design Criteria for Potable Water Systems, also known as Safe Drinking Water Program Implementation Policy #5, is a key policy used as a basis for reviewing and making determinations of design applications for drinking water treatment works in Colorado. The division routinely updates the document to maintain industry standards with input from stakeholders.
The division and stakeholders recently completed an update to the policy. These updates include drinking water treatment for PFAS, incorporating the best available technologies (e.g., reverse osmosis, granular activated carbon, etc.), and clarifying storage tank requirements. The division initiated a stakeholder engagement process on June 4, 2024, and asked for feedback on PFAS criteria and other select portions of the drinking water design criteria. Two working groups met over the course of several months to develop proposed changes to the drinking water design criteria related to storage tanks and PFAS.
The division incorporated stakeholder comments into the draft proposed updates to the policy and is now seeking feedback prior to adopting the changes. Please review the proposed updates to the policy and provide your comment(s) by using this form no later than 5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31.
How to get involved
The division held a stakeholder meeting in early June to discuss the proposed update sections and topics for the criteria, as well as the next steps to develop the updates. The division collected stakeholder input on the planned design criteria modifications and updates, and workgroups were formed to address topics with more complex needs (e.g., PFAS).
The process included advanced notification to stakeholders that have subscribed to email notifications, including drinking water utilities. To receive future notifications about drinking water design criteria, please sign up for email notifications.
Meeting materials can be accessed by using this public folder.
Storage tanks subgroup
This subgroup collaborated on proposed updates to the design criteria related to storage tanks. For more information, please email Kristen Harris at Kristen.Harris@state.co.us.
PFAS subgroup
This subgroup collaborated on proposed updates to the design criteria for PFAS. For more information, please email Chelsea Cotton at Chelsea.Cotton@state.co.us.
For more information,For more information about this stakeholder engagement effort, please contact Chelsea Cotton at chelsea.cotton@state.co.us.