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Castle Rock water director warns of low snowpack, explains short-term switch back to chlorine
Summary
Castle Rock Water reported below-average South Platte snowpack and described a Feb. 2 Feb. 7 transition from chloramines to chlorine for maintenance and system flushing; staff said chlorine levels remained within regulatory limits and offered on-site testing to residents who reported smells.
Mark Marlow, speaking for Castle Rock Water, told council the statewide snowpack is low and the South Platte is currently below typical levels, raising drought concerns for the spring and summer. He said locally the town is in a relatively strong position because of a dual water supply, but managers are watching reservoir and streamflow numbers and coordinating with regional providers.
On water quality maintenance, Marlow described a scheduled, short-term return to chlorine disinfection for system maintenance that began Feb. 2 and concluded Feb. 7. He said crews flushed nearly 500 hydrants and ran about 308 water-quality samples. "Despite what is being said on social media, the amount of chlorine in the water has not changed. It's about the same, and it's well below what the upper limit would be," Marlow said; staff offered to sample residents' taps on request. Council members asked about odor complaints and were told the smell should dissipate and staff will continue outreach.
The town will monitor water-supply indices and consider coordinated drought responses with neighboring providers later this spring if conditions worsen.
