Can you name Loveland’s drinking water sources? Source Water Protection Week (September 27 – October 3, 2026) is an excellent time to highlight all that is exceptional about our City’s water, where it comes from, and the behind-the-scenes work we do to ensure its high quality for the 90,000 people who depend on it every day.

The Big Thompson River watershed, Loveland’s primary source of drinking water, begins high in the Rocky Mountains. Many small streams and lakes flow east of the Continental Divide and feed into this river. We combine this supply with water from the Colorado River Basin on the Western Slope. The water is piped through a network of tunnels to the Charles Hansen Feeder Canal before it enters Green Ridge Glade Reservoir, our municipal water storage facility. Having multiple water sources is a strength, allowing the City to select, temporarily stop using or blend sources as conditions require.

The City of Loveland Utilities’ Source Water Program safeguards this water supply and the sources that feed it. The program is a nationally recognized leader in source water protection, committed to improving the quality and efficiency of our water.

This year, the American Water Works Association (AWWA) presented the program with the 2026 Exemplary Source Water Protection Award, making Loveland the first Colorado utility to receive the honor. The highly competitive award recognizes organizations that have demonstrated excellence in promoting public health, safety and welfare through the improvement of the quality and quantity of water.

Started 15 years ago, the Source Water Quality Program does more than meet basic water safety requirements. The team uses scientific data for long-term planning and operations, and works with many partners to protect our water. Specialized staff and advanced laboratory instrumentation support analysis, simulation and modeling.

Leaning into science

Loveland is well prepared for emergencies. A multi-pronged approach of sampling, monitoring and testing water has been key to the program’s success and the early detection and prevention of problems.

The team samples and tests for a wide variety of compounds, even those not yet regulated, to stay ahead of contaminants associated with wildfires, harmful microorganisms, chemicals and metals. Tests are made across the life cycle of Loveland’s water, from source water to drinking water to wastewater to the water that goes back into the river. The team gets results with near immediacy to quickly respond to emerging situations.

Remote monitoring stations throughout the watershed are another tool, delivering real-time information on water quality directly to the Water Treatment Plant. These approaches, coupled with a state-of-the-art Water Quality Laboratory and innovative treatment strategies, help ensure a safe and resilient system that delivers outstanding drinking water for Loveland residents. City partners ranging from nonprofits to academic colleagues to government agencies expand these strengths, increasing knowledge, capacity and funding.

The Source Water Program is helping to advance the science of water treatment in Colorado and is a resource for other utilities across the state. By using data to determine which water sources to use and how to treat them, the team can reduce risks and ensure reliable water for the community. Measurable project results demonstrate the efficient use of public funds and support future planning—from capital improvement projects to post-project assessments. To learn more about Loveland’s drinking water quality, visit go.lovgov.org/drinking-water.