Questions about PFAS, pharmaceuticals, microplastics and other emerging contaminants are becoming more common across the country. As research evolves and new regulations are introduced, many customers understandably want to know what these substances mean for their drinking water. At Fort Collins-Loveland Water District (FCLWD), the answer starts with our source water.
FCLWD benefits from high-quality source water located high in the watershed. In simple terms, we get the first sip before water is reused farther downstream. That matters because many emerging contaminants are more likely to become a concern as water moves through more communities, land uses and wastewater systems. Our job is to protect the quality of the water we deliver today while making long-term decisions that preserve that quality for the future.
TL;DR Summary
- While national attention continues to be on PFAS, pharmaceuticals and microplastics in water, our water sources remain some of the purest in the country, and PFAS and emerging contaminants have not been found in our raw water.
- PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” are certainly a concern nationwide because they do not break down and have been found in 45% of tap water across the country. FCLWD continues to comply with all EPA- and state-required monitoring.
- FCLWD’s priority is maintaining high-quality source water from high up in the watershed.
- Our 2026 Consumer Confidence Report demonstrated that we meet or exceed all federal and state required drinking water standards.
Why source water matters
Not all water supplies are the same. Where water comes from has a major impact on what needs to be treated, monitored or managed. FCLWD’s source water comes from high in the watershed, before it has passed through multiple communities. That gives the District an important water quality advantage. While all treated drinking water must meet the same state and federal standards, the quality of the water entering the treatment process determines which technology is needed and which long-term challenges a water provider may need to manage.
This is one reason FCLWD takes source selection so seriously. When considering future water sources, the District looks beyond volume alone. A source may help increase supply, but it also matters what that source may introduce into the system, whether it could affect treatment needs and whether it would require new long-term treatment obligations. In many ways, high-quality source water is one of the best tools a provider can have.
PFAS: What customers should know
PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and often called “forever chemicals,” are a group of human-made chemicals used in many consumer and industrial products because they resist heat, oil, grease and water. They have become a national concern because they do not break down easily and have been found in found in 45% of tap water in the U.S. in 2023, according to the United States Geological Survey.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finalized national drinking water regulations for certain PFAS in 2024, including enforceable limits for several specific compounds. The EPA also requires public water systems to monitor for certain unregulated contaminants through the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, including UCMR 5, which covers 29 PFAS and lithium between 2023 and 2025.
FCLWD has completed EPA-required PFAS testing and continues to follow required monitoring programs. To date, the District’s PFAS results have been non-detect. We will continue to follow EPA guidance, review results and communicate with customers as regulations and testing requirements evolve.
Pharmaceuticals and microplastics
Pharmaceuticals and microplastics are also gaining more public attention. These substances are still being studied by researchers, regulators and water professionals across the country. Pharmaceuticals can enter water systems through wastewater and through improper medication disposal. Microplastics can come from a wide range of sources, including synthetic materials, packaging and everyday products that break down into tiny particles over time.
For FCLWD, the key point is that these are not currently treatment concerns in the same way they may be for systems farther downstream or those that rely heavily on reused water. Because our source water is high in the watershed, our treatment plant partners are not seeing these issues in our influent that require treatment.
While testing for microplastics is still a year or two away, depending on the timeline and testing being developed by the EPA, the District continues to monitor developments nationally. Emerging contaminants are called “emerging” for a reason: science, testing methods, treatment technology and regulations continue to evolve. FCLWD monitors those developments so we can make informed decisions if requirements change or if new information becomes available.
The annual Consumer Confidence Report
Each year, FCLWD releases a Consumer Confidence Report, sometimes called the annual water quality report. The report summarizes the previous year’s water quality testing and shows how the District performed against state and federal drinking water standards.
The current Consumer Confidence Report was released this month and reviews the District’s water quality results from 2025. We are proud to announce that FCLWD continues to meet all required drinking water standards.
The CCR is an important transparency tool. It helps customers see what is tested, what was detected and how results compare to regulatory limits. It is also one of the ways the District keeps customers informed about the quality of the water delivered to homes and businesses.
Looking ahead
PFAS, pharmaceuticals and microplastics are important topics in the water industry, and they deserve careful attention. For FCLWD customers, the most important takeaway is that our water quality remains strong, our source water gives us a meaningful advantage and the District continues to meet all state and federal drinking water standards. We will also evaluate future water sources not only for reliability, but also for quality.
We will continue to monitor emerging contaminants, follow EPA requirements and share updates through the annual Consumer Confidence Report, our website and other customer communications. Our commitment remains the same: providing sustainable, high-quality, secure, reliable and cost-effective water to the community we serve. If you have questions about water quality, you’re welcome to call (970) 226-3104 or fill out our contact page.
