CONSUMER DRINKING WATER NOTICE
Wigwam Mutual Water Company PWSID CO0121470
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
Wigwam Mutual Water Company recently tested for a group of unregulated chemicals scientifically known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS. The water sample results received on January 28, 2020 showed that certain PFAS chemicals, PFOA, PFOS, GenX, or PFBS, are present in the drinking water. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is working closely with Wigwam Mutual Water Company to understand and address this concern.
These human-made chemicals (PFAS) have been used in firefighting foam and other consumer products and can affect your health. For more information on PFAS, please visit the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) website.
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PFAS
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Interim health advisory
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The level in your water:
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What this means:
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PFOA
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0.004 parts per trillion
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14 ng/L
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This is above the health advisory. Consider taking action to reduce your exposure.
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PFOS
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0.02 parts per trillion
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24 ng/L
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This is above the health advisory.
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These health advisories are set to protect all people, including sensitive populations and life stages (such as infants), from negative health impacts as a result of lifetime exposure to PFAS in drinking water.
The current health advisories for PFOA and PFOS are based on human studies in populations exposed to these chemicals. There is strong evidence that PFOA and PFOS:
- Impact the immune system.
- Increase cholesterol.
- Decrease infant birth weight.
- Cause changes in liver function.
There is moderate evidence that PFAS are associated with:
- Preeclampsia and high blood pressure during pregnancy.
- Effects on thyroid hormones.
There is also evidence that PFOA increases the risk of kidney and testicular cancer.
Children ages 0-5 years, and people who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding are more susceptible to health impacts from these chemicals. Visit https://cdphe.colorado.gov/pfas-health for more information.
What actions should I consider? What does this mean?
- This is a concern, not a crisis. People do not need to stop drinking their water.
- The lower your exposure, the lower your risk. People who are concerned can:
○ Reduce exposure from drinking water by using water treated by an in-home water treatment filter that is certified to lower the levels of PFAS or by using bottled water that has been treated with reverse osmosis for drinking, cooking, and preparing baby formula. Use tap water for bathing, showering, brushing teeth, washing hands, watering yards, washing dishes, cleaning, and laundry.
○ Reduce exposure from other sources. Visit https://cdphe.colorado.gov/pfas-health to learn more.
- Boiling, freezing, or letting water stand does not reduce PFAS levels.
- If you have specific health concerns, consult your doctor. An information sheet, “Talking to Your Health Care Provider about PFAS,” is available at https://bit.ly/PFAS-doctor.
What is Wigwam Mutual Water Company doing to address the situation?
We are working to address this problem in coordination with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. We will continue to provide information about this situation. Wigwam Mutual Water Company is retesting now and will update you when we receive the results. Additional PFAS information can be found at www.colorado.gov/cdphe/pfas. For more information, please contact Wigwam Mutual Water Company at 719-638-0456. If you have questions about this information, you can also contact CO HELP at 303-389-1687 or 1-877-462-2911.