What testing found in Security-Widefield's water
Three PFAS compounds in Security-Widefield's drinking water exceeded new federal safety limits in recent EPA testing, with PFOS measured at 2.48 times the legal maximum.
The testing, conducted between 2023 and 2026 at Widefield Water and Sanitation District, found PFOS averaging 9.9 parts per trillion against a federal limit of 4 ppt. PFOA averaged 9.1 ppt, or 2.27 times the 4 ppt limit. PFHxS averaged 19.4 ppt, nearly twice the 10 ppt standard.
The district serves 27,640 residents in Security-Widefield and surrounding areas.
Five additional PFAS compounds were detected below federal limits: PFHxA at an average of 33.4 ppt, PFPeA at 57.4 ppt, PFBA at 26.1 ppt, PFBS at 12.4 ppt, and PFPeS at 5.1 ppt. None of these compounds currently have federal maximum contaminant levels.
The district installed granular activated carbon filtration systems in 2016 to reduce PFAS contamination. The UCMR 5 samples measure water at the entry point to the distribution system, after treatment but before any household-level filtration.
The EPA finalized these drinking water limits in April 2024 after determining that no level of exposure to PFOA and PFOS is safe. Water systems must begin compliance monitoring by 2027 and meet treatment requirements by 2029.
What this means for Security-Widefield residents
PFOA and PFOS, the two compounds most studied by scientists, are linked to serious health problems at very low concentrations. The EPA's final rule cites evidence connecting PFOA to kidney cancer, testicular cancer, liver damage, reduced immune response to vaccines, and developmental effects in children. PFOS carries similar risks.
PFHxS, the third compound exceeding federal limits in Security-Widefield, belongs to the same chemical family and shares similar health concerns, though it has been studied less extensively than PFOA and PFOS.
These chemicals accumulate in the body over time. Pregnant women, nursing mothers, infants, and people with compromised immune systems face the highest risk from exposure.
Drinking and cooking with contaminated water are the primary exposure routes. Using the water for infant formula is a particular concern because babies drink more water relative to their body weight than adults. Bathing and showering pose minimal risk because PFAS are not readily absorbed through skin.
Where these chemicals came from
The contamination originated at Peterson Air Force Base, now Peterson Space Force Base, where firefighters used aqueous film-forming foam for training exercises and emergency response starting in the 1970s.
Wastewater contaminated with the foam was dumped into Colorado Springs sewers and seeped into the Widefield Aquifer, the source of drinking water for tens of thousands of residents, according to Colorado Public Radio. The Air Force confirmed the connection in 2017.
PFAS were first discovered in municipal water wells in Security and Widefield in 2013. By 2016, all 32 of the Security Water and Sanitation District's wells measured PFAS levels above the EPA's then-current health advisory of 70 ppt. One well measured 1,370 ppt, nearly twenty times that advisory level.
The Environmental Working Group has documented PFAS contamination at 206 U.S. military installations nationwide. Peterson Space Force Base is among the most severe cases.
What Security-Widefield is doing about it
Widefield Water and Sanitation District installed granular activated carbon filtration systems at its treatment plants in 2016. The systems substantially reduced PFAS concentrations in finished water, though several compounds remain detectable in recent EPA sampling.
The CDC's Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry conducted a multi-site exposure study in El Paso County to track health effects among residents who drank contaminated water. The Denver Gazette reported on the study's findings in 2022.
Colorado Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper urged the Air Force in 2022 to accelerate cleanup efforts at Peterson Space Force Base. As of 2025, residents and advocates continue to press for faster federal action on both cleanup and health monitoring.
Water systems nationwide face a 2027 deadline to begin compliance monitoring under the new EPA rule and must achieve full compliance with treatment requirements by 2029.
Steps Security-Widefield residents can take today
Residents concerned about PFAS in their drinking water can take several immediate actions:
Request a copy of the most recent Consumer Confidence Report from Widefield Water and Sanitation District. Federal law requires all public water systems to publish these annual reports. Search "Widefield Water and Sanitation District consumer confidence report" online to find contact information.
Install a water filter certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53 or 58 for PFOA and PFOS removal. Look for pitcher filters, faucet-mount filters, or under-sink systems with this specific certification. Standard carbon filters without NSF 53 or 58 certification may not remove PFAS effectively. Reverse osmosis systems certified to NSF 58 remove the widest range of PFAS compounds.
Use filtered water for drinking, cooking, and preparing infant formula. Unfiltered tap water is safe for bathing, showering, and laundry.
Attend Widefield Water and Sanitation District board meetings to ask questions about treatment upgrades and compliance timelines. Check the district's website for meeting schedules.
Visit our action page for more detailed guidance on filters, testing, and advocacy.
Review the complete testing data for Widefield Water and Sanitation District at /system/CO0121900.
Full test results
Complete laboratory results for Widefield Water and Sanitation District, including detection frequencies and concentration ranges for all compounds tested, are available at /system/CO0121900.
Data comes from the EPA's Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 5 program. Samples were collected between 2023 and 2026. UCMR 5 tests measure water at the entry point to the distribution system, after any treatment by the utility but before household-level filtration.