This guide is intended for water providers and community members interested in learning more about water quality protection during oil and gas development.

Throughout much of Colorado, oil and gas is being developed near our public drinking water supplies. This guide is intended for Colorado’s public water providers and for residents who rely upon them for clean water. It outlines how oil and gas development could impact water quality — particularly the “source water” of our drinking water supplies. Source water includes both the surface water (streams, rivers, and lakes) and the groundwater (aquifers) that serve as sources of drinking water. This guide focuses on how local governments and water providers can work with the regulators and with the oil and gas industry to ensure that Colorado’s water is not negatively impacted by oil and gas development activities. The guide was produced by Colorado Rural Water Association, Western Resource Advocates, University of Colorado Intermountain Oil and Gas Best Management Practices, AirWaterGas and the University of Colorado.