Consumer Confidence Report
Drinking Water Quality Report
The Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) is an annual water quality report that all public water systems are required to publish. This requirement is based on the 1996 Amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act and the right-to-know provisions of that Act. Each customer of the City of Cheyenne Board of Public Utilities (BOPU) has the opportunity to review the CCR annually or at any time on this website. The CCR is designed to help you make informed choices about the water you drink and to know what contaminants, if any, are in your drinking water.
2023 Consumer Confidence Report
The City of Cheyenne Board of Public Utilities (BOPU) is proud to provide this 2023 Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), also known as an annual drinking water quality report. This CCR summarizes water quality from January 1 through December 31, 2023.
The BOPU prepares this report each year in accordance with the Safe Drinking Water Act. The CCR includes a summary of source water information, detected contaminants, compliance with Federal, State, and local regulations and standards, and educational information about Cheyenne’s water system. The purpose of the CCR is to improve public health by providing information that assists consumers with making educated decisions regarding any potential health risks pertaining to the quality, treatment, and management of their drinking water. If you have any questions about this CCR, call the Water and Wastewater Quality Control Supervisor at (307) 635-7693.
Este reporte contiene información importante acerca de su agua potable. Por asistencia traduciendo este reporte en español o si tiene unas preguntas de acerca al reporte por favor de llamar a nuestro representante de servicio al cliente. El número de teléfono es: (307) 637-6460.
How does Cheyenne's water compare to drinking water standards?
The BOPU is proud to report that Cheyenne's drinking water meets or exceeds (is better than) federal requirements.
The BOPU's Water Treatment Division monitors water quality 24 hours a day, 7 days a week using in-line instruments. Operators also confirm instrument readings with daily sampling and lab analyses. Lab staff monitor water quality throughout Cheyenne weekly. While some parameters were detected in water samples, there were no violations of National Primary Drinking Water Regulations or Secondary Drinking Water Standards. The tables below show the most recent water quality data (through December 31, 2022).
Where does Cheyenne's water come from?
Cheyenne's water comes from both surface water and groundwater sources. A Source Water Assessment and Protection(PDF, 548KB) report was completed in 2004.
Douglas Creek
Surface water is collected from the Douglas Creek Watershed located about 75 miles west of Cheyenne in the Medicine Bow Mountains (also called the Snowy Range). Water from Douglas Creek is stored in Rob Roy Reservoir. Two pipelines deliver the water from Rob Roy Reservoir to Granite and Crystal Reservoirs.
When the BOPU collects water from Douglas Creek, a tributary to the North Platte River, the BOPU replaces the water with water from another source. The BOPU replaces the water with water from west of the Continental Divide in the Little Snake River Watershed.
The Little Snake River is located in the Sierra Madre Mountains, approximately 110 miles west of Cheyenne. A series of collection structures and pipelines collect water from tributaries to the Little Snake River and transport the water under the Continental Divide to Hog Park Reservoir. Water from Hog Park Reservoir can be released into the North Platte River and can be recaptured in Seminoe Reservoir. The BOPU uses water from both Hog Park and Seminoe Reservoirs as trade water. When the BOPU collects water at Rob Roy Reservoir, the BOPU releases the same amount of water from either Hog Park Reservoir or Seminoe Reservoir. This way, the BOPU can use the water stored in Rob Roy Reservoir for drinking water in Cheyenne without affecting other water users along the North Platte River.
The Little Snake River is a tributary to the Colorado River. Interstate agreements between Wyoming, Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, and Utah determine how much water gets used in each state. These agreements rely on water stored in reservoirs to distribute water between the states. After decades of drought, reservoir storage in the Colorado River is declining and may reach critically low levels. If reservoir storage continues to decline, some water users in Wyoming (including the City of Cheyenne) may not be able to collect water from sources that are in the Colorado River system. This would reduce Cheyenne’s water supply by approximately half. For more information, see the Wyoming State Engineer’s Colorado River Working Group.
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Crow Creek
Surface water is also collected from the Crow Creek Watershed. Crow Creek Watershed is located about 30 miles west of Cheyenne in the Laramie Mountains near the Vedauwoo Recreation Area. Water from Crow Creek is stored in North Crow Reservoir (North Crow Creek),Granite and Crystal Reservoirs (Middle Crow Creek) and South Crow Diversion Structure (South Crow Creek).
Water stored in Crystal Reservoir, Lower North Crow Reservoir, and South Crow Diversion Structure can be delivered to the R.L. Sherard Water Treatment Plant by pipelines.
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Groundwater
Cheyenne owns and operates about 36 wells in four well fields (Bell, Borie, Federal and Happy Jack). These wellfields are located west and northwest of Cheyenne. The wells pump from the High Plains (Ogallala and White River) Aquifers.
In 2020, the BOPU completed a study on the ratio of surface water to groundwater in Cheyenne’s drinking water. The study concluded that because of the treatment capabilities at the water treatment plant, operators can reduce the amount of groundwater in the blend from 25 percent to 15 percent and still maintain water quality. This allows operators to use local aquifers more sustainably.
Learn more about Cheyenne's water.
We encourage our customers to learn about Cheyenne's water system and the Safe Drinking Water Act. Our water protects our health, provides fire protection, provides a natural resource for businesses, and provides for our way of life. Our water is vital to our future. Visit our website for additional information about our water system.
What is the BOPU doing to manage water sustainably?
Cheyenne is in the high plains. We are surrounded by short-grass prairie that is adapted to long periods without water. In Southeast Wyoming, water is a limited resource. Here are some ways the BOPU is managing water resources sustainably.
- Water Conservation Program - Cheyenne has a water conservation program that includes watering schedules and rules, programs to fix leaks, use water efficient appliances and fixtures, and bill structures that encourage efficient water use. For more information, visit the BOPU's Water Conservation webpage.
- Water Reuse - Once water goes down the drain, it will be used again. The BOPU reclaims wastewater at Cheyenne’s water reclamation facilities. The BOPU renamed the wastewater treatment plants to water reclamation facilities because the treatment processes used at the facilities reclaim water making it safe to use again. Some of this water is recycled and piped back into Cheyenne to water parks and athletic fields. Water that isn’t recycled is returned to Crow Creek where it is used by livestock, wildlife, aquatic species, and other users downstream.
- Hydroelectric Generation - In 2023, the BOPU constructed a hydroelectric generation facility. The hydroelectric generator produces power from water flowing to the water treatment plant. Water flowing to the treatment plant comes from Crystal Reservoir which is over 500 feet higher in elevation than the treatment plant. Water enters that plant at pressures around 210 pounds per square inch. The generator uses the water to spin a turbine that produces between 275 and 875 kilowatts (kW) of electricity. Of this amount, the water treatment plant uses around 150 kW. The rest is sold to Black Hills Energy and used by electrical customers in the Cheyenne area.
- Hydroelectric Generation - The BOPU is constructing a hydroelectric generation facility. The hydroelectric generator will produce power from water flowing to the water treatment plant. Water flowing to the treatment plant comes from Crystal Reservoir which is over 500 feet higher in elevation than the treatment plant. Water enters that plant at pressures around 250 pounds per square inch. The generator will use these pressures to spin a turbine that will produce between 300 and 875 kilowatts of electricity. The electricity will be used to reduce treatment costs at the water treatment plant and excess electricity will be sold to the electric grid.
- Additional Water Resources - The BOPU is actively investigating and pursuing additional surface and groundwater sources to prepare for possible reductions in water supply due to Colorado River curtailment.
A Note from the EPA About Drinking Water Sources and Regulations
All drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of these contaminants does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk.
As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity. To ensure tap water is safe to drink, the EPA regulates the amount of certain contaminants in water from public water systems. The Food and Drug Administration regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same protection for public health.
Contaminants that may be present in source water include:
- Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations and wildlife.
- Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally occurring or result from urban storm water runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming.
- Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agricultural, urban storm water runoff, and residential uses.
- Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals which are by-products of industrial process and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban storm water runoff, and septic systems.
- Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.
More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791 or by visiting the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Act webpage.
Definitions
In the table below, you will find many terms and abbreviations which might not be familiar. To help you better understand these terms, we've provided the following definitions.
Action Level (AL) - The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow.
Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) - The "maximum allowed" is the highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the Maximum Contaminant Level Goals as feasible using the best available treatment technology.
Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) - The "Goal" is the level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL) - The highest level of disinfectant allowed in drinking water. The addition of disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants.
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal (MRDLG) - The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no know or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants.
National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWR) - Standards including AL, MCL, MRDL, and TT that are established under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Nephelometric Turbidity Unit (NTU) - Nephelometric Turbidity Unit is a measure of the clarity of water. Turbidity in excess of 5 NTU is just noticeable by the average person.
Parts per billion (ppb) or microgram per liter (µg/L) - One part per billion is one drop in a billion drops. Using time, it is equal to one second in 31.71 years. In finance, it is equal to one penny in $10,000,000.
Parts per million (ppm) or milligram per liter (mg/L) - One part per million is one drop in a million drops. Using time as a scale, it is equal to one second in 11.57 days. In finance, it is equal to one penny in $10,000.
Picocurie per Liter (pCi/L) - Picocurie per liter is a measure of radiation.
RTST - Sample was taken at the Round Top Storage Tank.
SWTP - Sample was taken at the Sherard Water Treatment Plant.
Treatment Technique (TT) - A treatment technique is a required process intended to reduce the level of contaminant in drinking water.
ND - Not detected by certified laboratory analysis of a sample.
Microbial Contaminants and Turbidity
| Contaminant |
Violation
Yes/No |
Level Detected |
MCLG |
MCL |
Likely Source of Contamination/
Comments |
| Total Coliform Bacteria |
No |
Presence/Absence Testing |
0 |
Presence of coliform in ≥ 5% of monthly samples |
Naturally present in the environment.
720 samples were required for regulatory compliance. The BOPU collected 983 samples. Of that number, no samples tested positive for total coliform. |
| Turbidity |
No |
≤ 0.10 NTU 100% |
N/A |
TT 95% < 0.3 |
Soil runoff. Maximum allowable filtered water turbidity is 0.3 NTU in 95% of all samples. Cheyenne’s water was much lower with 100% of samples less than 0.10 NTU and 95% of samples were less than 0.05 NTU. Turbidity values are recorded every 4 hours from all filters in operation and values reported monthly to the EPA. Turbidity is a measurement of the cloudiness of water caused by suspended particles and is a good indicator of general water quality and the effectiveness of water treatment processes. |
| Name |
Violation
Yes/No |
Level Detected |
MRDLG |
MRDL |
Likely Source of Contamination/
Comments |
| Chlorine |
No |
0.1 to 1.7 ppm |
4 |
4 |
Drinking water disinfectant used to control microbial growth. |
The BOPU tested raw (untreated) water from Crystal Reservoir for Giardia and Cryptosporidium in 2017 but found less than one per liter of sample.
Inorganic Contaminants
| Contaminant |
Violation
Yes/No |
Level Detected |
Unit |
MCLG |
MCL |
Likely Source of Contamination/
Comments |
| Copper |
No |
90 percent of results were less than 0.36. No analysis results exceeded the MCL. Results ranged from ND to 0.69. |
ppm |
1.3 |
AL=1.3 |
Corrosion of household plumbing systems; naturally present in the environment; leaching from wood preservatives. This sample was taken from a private residence. |
| Fluoride |
No |
RTST: 0.5
SWTP: 0.5 |
ppm |
4 |
4 |
Erosion of natural deposits; water additive that promotes strong teeth.
The samples reported here were collected as part of inorganic contaminant monitoring required under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Operators also monitor fluoride daily as part of treatment process control. Fluoride concentrations from these analyses averaged a 0.6. |
| Lead |
No |
90 percent of results were less than 10. Results ranged from ND to 19. |
ppb |
0 |
AL=15 |
Corrosion of household plumbing systems. This sample was taken from a private residence. |
| Nitrate + Nitrite (as Nitrogen) |
No |
RTST: 0.31
SWTP: 0.33 |
ppm |
10 |
10 |
Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks; sewage; naturally present in the environment. |
Antimony, Arsenic, Barium, Beryllium, Cadmium, Chromium, Cyanide, Mercury, Nickel, Selenium and Thallium were analyzed for but not detected by certified laboratory analysis.
Asbestos was analyzed for in 2022 but not detected by certified laboratory analysis.
Sodium was detected in laboratory analysis (SWTP: 10.9 ppm, RTST: 11.6 ppm). Sodium does not have National Primary Drinking Water Regulation or a Secondary Drinking Water Regulation. Sodium comes primarily from water treatment chemicals used to adjust water pH and from the erosion of natural deposits.
Organic Contaminants
| Contaminant |
Violation
Yes/No |
Level Detected
RTST |
Level Detected
SWTP |
Unit |
MCLG |
MCL |
Likely Source of Contamination/
Comments |
| * Total Trihalomethanes |
No |
Min=31.3
Max=31.3
Avg=31.3 |
Min=26.5
Max=46
Avg=34.9 |
ppb |
0 |
80 |
By-product of drinking water chlorination. Values reported are from the highest locational running average of 8 sites. |
| ** Haloacetic Acid |
No |
Min=21.5
Max=21.5
Avg=21.5 |
Min=19.3
Max=26.5
Avg=22.4 |
ppb |
0 |
60 |
By-product of drinking water chlorination. Values reported are from the highest locational running average of 8 sites. |
| Total Organic Carbon (TOC) |
No |
N/A |
Raw Water
Avg=3.7
Treated Water
Avg=2.0 |
ppm |
N/A |
TT |
Natural organic matter present in the environment. TOC was measured each month and removal requirements were met. TOC has no health effects. TOC provides a medium for the formation of disinfection byproducts such as trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids. |
* Trihalomethanes - Comprised of the sum of 4 compounds: Chloroform, Bromoform, Bromodichloromethane, Dibromochloromethane
** Haloacetic Acid - Comprised of the sum of 5 compounds: Monochloroacetic Acid, Dichloroacetic Acid, Trichloroacetic Acid, Monobromoacetic Acid, Dibromoacetic Acid
The following semi-volatile organic compounds were analyzed for but not detected by certified independent laboratory analysis. The BOPU did not receive results for samples taken in calendar year 2023 due to independent laboratory equipment malfunction. The EPA Region 8 allowed the BOPU to resample in early 2024. The results below are from the resample in 2024.
Alachlor; Aldrin; Aroclor 1016; Aroclor 1221; Aroclor 1232; Aroclor 1242; Aroclor 1248; Aroclor 1254; Aroclor 1260; Atrazine; Benzo(a)pyrene; bis(2-ethylhexyl)Adipate; bis(2-ethylhexyl)Phthalate; Butachlor; Chlordane; Dieldrin; Endrin; gamma-BHC (Lindane); Heptachlor; Heptachlor epoxide; Hexachlorobenzene; Hexachlorocyclopentadiene; Methoxychlor; Metolachlor; Metribuzin; Propachlor; Simazine; Toxaphene, Total PCBs.
The following volatile organic compounds were analyzed for but not detected by certified independent laboratory analysis.
Benzene; Bromobenzene; Bromochloromethane; Bromoform; Bromomethane; n-Butylbenzene; sec-Butylbenzene; tert-Butylbenzene; Carbon tetrachloride; 1,2-Dichloroethane; Chlorobenzene; Chloroethane; Chloromethane; 2-Chlorotoluene; 4-Chlorotoluene; Dibromomethane; 1,2-Dichlorobenzene; 1,3-Dichlorobenzene; 1,4-Dichlorobenzene; Dichlorodifluoromethane; 1,1-Dichloroethane; 1,1-Dichloroethene; cis-1,2-Dichloroethene; trans-1,2-Dichloroethene; 1,2-Dichloropropane; 1,3-Dichloropropane; 2,2-Dichloropropane; 1,1-Dichloropropene; cis-1,3-Dichloropropene; trans-1,3-Dichloropropene; Ethylbenzene; Hexachlorobutadiene; Isopropylbenzene; p-Isopropyltoluene; Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE); Methylene chloride; Naphthalene; n-Propylbenzene; Styrene; 1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane; 1,1,2,2-Tetrachlorethane; Tetrachloroethene; Toluene; 1,2,3-Trichlorobenzene; 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene; 1,1,1-Trichloroethane; 1,1,2-Thrichloroethane; Thrichloroethene; Trichlorofluoromethane; 1,2,3-Trichlorpropane; 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene, 1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene; Vinyl chloride; m+p-Xylenes; o-Xylene; Total Xylenes.
The following pesticide and herbicides were analyzed for but not detected by certified independent laboratory analysis.
Aldicarb; Aldicarb sulfone; Aldicarb sulfoxide; Carbaryl; 3-Hydroxycarbofuran; Carbofuran; Methiocarb; Methomyl; Oxamyl; Baygon; Glyphosate; Diquat; 2,4,5-TP (Silvex); 2,4-D; 2,4-DB; Dalapon; Dicamba; Dichloroprop; Dinoseb; Pentachlorophenol; Picloram.
Radionuclides
| Contaminant |
Violation
Yes/No |
Level Detected
RTST |
Level Detected
SWTP |
Unit |
MCLG |
MCL |
Likely Source of Contamination/
Comments |
| Gross Alpha |
No |
-0.1±1.5
(2021) |
1.9±1.4
(2022) |
pCi/L |
None |
15 |
Naturally occurring in the environment. |
| Radium 226 |
No |
0.07±0.30
(2021) |
0.01±0.30
(2022) |
pCi/L |
None |
15 |
Naturally occurring in the environment. |
| Radium 228 |
No |
0.60±0.70
(2021) |
0.6±0.7
(2022) |
pCi/L |
None |
15 |
Naturally occurring in the environment. |
| Uranium |
No |
0.5
(2021) |
0.7
(2022) |
ppb |
None |
30 |
Naturally occurring in the environment. |
How do drinking water regulations apply to immunocompromised people?
Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immunocompromised persons, such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, persons with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be at particular risk from infection. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care provider. EPA/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium, and other microbiological contaminants, are available by calling the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791 or by visiting the EPA's Ground Water and Drinking Water webpage.
Should I be concerned about lead in my drinking water?
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The EPA has determined that there is no safe level of lead in drinking water. Exposure to lead in drinking water can cause serious health effects in all age groups, especially pregnant people, infants (both formula and breastfed), and young children. Some of the health effects to infants and children include decreases in IQ and attention span. Lead exposure can also result in new or worsened learning and behavior problems. The children of persons who are exposed to lead before or during pregnancy may be at increased risk of these harmful health effects. Adults have increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney, or nervous system problems. Contact your health care provider for more information about your risks.
In the early 1990’s, Cheyenne began studies and programs to prevent the leaching of lead and copper from water pipes into finished drinking water. Today, the R.L. Sherard Water Treatment plant adjusts water pH and alkalinity and blends treated surface water with groundwater to reduce the corrosiveness of treated drinking water.
Laboratory staff monitor the levels of lead in selected older homes by collecting water samples once per year. These homes were selected because they were confirmed to have lead service line parts or were constructed when lead was used in service line plumbing. Results from lab analyses have shown the level of lead in most of these homes to be below the EPA’s action level. One sample taken in 2023 at a home had a result of 19 µg/L or ppb. The other 36 samples ranged between ND and 14 µg/L or ppb. The 90th percentile of all these results was 10 µg/L or ppb, which is below the EPA’s action level for the 90th percentile of 15 µg/L or ppb.
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Lead and copper in drinking water primarily comes from materials and components used for in-home plumbing. While the BOPU provides high-quality drinking water, the BOPU has limited control regarding the materials that are used in plumbing components in homes and buildings. Cheyenne began requiring homes to use copper for service lines in 1936. However, some home builders still used lead. Homes built prior to 1960 could have lead in the service line. In 1986, the Safe Drinking Water Act required the use of “lead-free” pipe, solder and flux in the installation or repair of plumbing.
Protect yourself and your family from lead exposure by:
- Removing faucets and plumbing that contain lead from your home’s plumbing.
- Minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking.
- Use a filter certified by the American National Standards Institute to reduce lead in drinking water.
Recent revisions to the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Act, Lead and Copper Rule, require the BOPU to create an inventory of the materials used in water service lines throughout Cheyenne. To create this inventory, BOPU staff may contact you to perform visual inspections of meter pits or indoor plumbing materials. BOPU staff may also need to dig a small hole using a truck-mounted, pressurized-water nozzle and vacuum, a method referred to as “potholing”. BOPU staff will always be in a BOPU vehicle with proper identification.
If you are concerned about lead in your drinking water, you may wish to have your water tested. Contact the BOPU laboratory at (307) 635-7693 to schedule a water quality sample for lead.
Additional information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available by calling the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791 or on the EPA's webpage, Basic Information about Lead in Drinking Water.
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What are perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances?
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are chemical compounds manufactured and used for decades to repel water, grease, and oil. They are commonly found in products such as firefighting foam, carpets, clothing, nonstick cookware, food packaging, plastic coatings, and dental floss.
The chemicals are known as “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down over time. Research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show most people in the United States have been exposed to some PFAS. Research suggests that exposure to high levels of certain PFAS may lead to health impacts.
As part of a nationwide effort to better understand PFAS contamination in water, the BOPU is working with the US EPA to monitor for PFAS in water. The monitoring is being conducted under the Safe Drinking Water Act’s Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rules are used to collect data for contaminants that are suspected of being present in drinking water but have not yet had health-based standards set under the Safe Drinking Water Act. See the Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule for more information.
During Calendar Year 2023, the BOPU sampled once for PFAS at water entry points to Cheyenne’s water distribution system. The results were non-detects for the 29 PFAS compounds and non-detect for one metal, lithium. The approved analytical methods for these compounds have detection limits for each of the 29 PFAS compounds that ranges between 0.002 and 0.0198 µg/L or ppb and a detection limit of 9 µg/L or ppb for lithium.
Trichlorethylene and the Atlas "D" Missile Site
Some wells in the Borie Wellfield pump from aquifers contaminated with trichloroethylene (TCE). The TCE comes from the Atlas “D” Missile Site located on the Belvoir Ranch southwest of Cheyenne. TCE was used at the missile site to clean missiles during the early 1960’s. Since then, a plume of TCE has spread underground reaching municipal wells. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) constructed a groundwater treatment plant located near Cheyenne’s water treatment plant. This groundwater treatment plant removes TCE from the water produced at the Borie Wellfield. Both the ACOE and the BOPU monitor water quality from the Borie Wellfield before and after treatment. Results from water quality samples in 2023 were non-detects for TCE. This means the amount of TCE in the water was below the analytical method’s ability to detect it. The method has a reporting limit for TCE of 0.5 micrograms per liter (µg/L) or parts per billion (ppb). The maximum contaminant level for TCE in drinking water is 5 µg/L. See the Definitions section for more information on µg/L and ppb. To learn more about the Atlas “D” Missile Site or the TCE contamination, visit the Atlas “D” Missile Site 4 website.
How is the water system funded?
In the BOPU's ongoing effort to provide a safe and dependable water supply, it is necessary to make improvements to Cheyenne's water system. Water system improvements and maintenance are paid for through water rates charged to BOPU customers. In fiscal year 2023, total operating expenses for the water and sewer departments were approximately $37 million.
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BOPU Mission Statement
Sustain Cheyenne’s essential water resources to realize our community’s potential.
BOPU Vision Statement
We will set the standard of excellence in the water and wastewater industry. We will be a leader in service to our customers. We will be responsible stewards in managing and protecting our water resources, the environment, the health and safety of our employees and community.
Contact Us
Questions about this report or concerning your water utility should be directed to:
We want customers to be informed about their water. If you want to learn more about Cheyenne's water system, please attend any of our regularly scheduled BOPU Board Meetings. Board Meetings are held at 3:00 pm on the third Monday of each month and are open to the public. If the third Monday of the month is a holiday, Board Meetings are held on following Tuesday. More information is available on our Board Meetings webpage. If you wish to attend, please join us at:
Board of Public Utilities
Administration Building
2416 Snyder Avenue
Cheyenne, WY 82001
Previous Consumer Confidence Reports
Click on the links below to view Consumer Confidence Reports from previous years.
2023 Consumer Confidence Report(PDF, 561KB)
2022 Consumer Confidence Report(PDF, 547KB)
2021 Consumer Confidence Report(PDF, 546KB)
2020 Consumer Confidence Report(PDF, 678KB)
2019 Consumer Confidence Report(PDF, 671KB)
2018 Consumer Confidence Report(PDF, 188KB)
2017 Consumer Confidence Report(PDF, 268KB)
2016 Consumer Confidence Report(PDF, 654KB)
2015 Consumer Confidence Report(PDF, 149KB)
2014 Consumer Confidence Report(PDF, 148KB)
2013 Consumer Confidence Report(PDF, 152KB)
2012 Consumer Confidence Report(PDF, 778KB)