The water beneath Archuleta County carries the signature of the land. The geothermal forces that created the Pagosa Hot Springs—waters the Ute called “Pah gosah,” or healing waters—also deposit naturally occurring minerals into groundwater throughout the region. This isn’t pollution. It’s geology.
San Juan Basin Public Health has documented that a “small but significant percentage” of private wells in Archuleta and La Plata counties show elevated metals and minerals. The culprits include arsenic, lithium, fluoride, manganese, and radium—elements present in the Precambrian rock and geothermal aquifers defining the San Juan Basin.
The municipal supply operated by Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District serves roughly 11,000 residents and meets all federal drinking water standards. Testing data shows radium at levels within EPA legal limits but exceeding stricter health guidelines established by California and the Environmental Working Group. Federal standards haven’t been comprehensively updated in nearly two decades.
For residents on private wells, the federal Safe Drinking Water Act offers no protection. It doesn’t regulate private wells. Homeowners bear full responsibility, and many have never tested.
The practical advice is straightforward. Test annually at minimum. San Juan Basin Public Health recommends yearly testing for nitrate, nitrite, and coliform bacteria. For wells never tested or with unclear histories, add arsenic, lead, fluoride, iron, manganese, pH, and total dissolved solids. Given local geology, radium and uranium testing makes sense for deeper wells.
Basic bacterial testing costs under $50 at certified labs. Comprehensive panels covering metals and minerals run higher but remain accessible. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment maintains a list of certified laboratories. The Archuleta County Water Quality Department can direct residents to resources.
For wells showing elevated mineral content, solutions exist. Reverse osmosis systems remove most heavy metals, radionuclides, and dissolved minerals. Point-of-use units install under the sink for $300 to $1,500. Ion exchange systems handle radium and barium effectively. Activated carbon filters work for some contaminants but fall short against dissolved minerals and radionuclides.
Oversight is shifting. San Juan Basin Public Health dissolved, and Archuleta County’s Water Quality Department has assumed responsibility. Homeowner testing now routes through the La Plata County Water Quality Lab in Durango. The transition means residents should confirm current procedures before submitting samples.
Residents on the municipal system can review annual water quality reports from Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District. The Environmental Working Group’s Tap Water Database provides independent analysis comparing the district’s results against health-based guidelines.
Test your well. Understand your results. Filter if needed.
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