Environmental organizations, residents, and Boulder County are collaborating on a community-led initiative at San Lazaro Mobile Home Park to improve the quality of the community’s drinking water from Cline Pond. The project, which commenced on September 6, 2025, utilizes natural and scientifically-backed methods to address issues that have long plagued the water supply, including a foul taste and odor, as well as recent detections of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

On the project day, residents and volunteers assembled and installed eight solar-powered aerator diffusers, released beneficial bacteria, and added 100 bags of biocharBiochar is a carbon-rich material created from biomass decomposition in low-oxygen conditions. It has important applications in environmental remediation, soil improvement, agriculture, carbon sequestration, energy storage, and sustainable materials, promoting efficiency and reducing waste in various contexts while addressing climate change challenges. More to the pond. The biochar, a charcoal-like substance, is intended to absorb contaminants and specifically target PFAS levels, which in June were found to be above new federal limits. The aerators and bacteria are aimed at curbing algae growth, which has contributed to the taste and odor issues.

The urgency of the project increased following the PFAS findings, although a Colorado School of Mines expert noted the levels were “not crazy high” but still posed a risk with long-term exposure. This effort is particularly significant given the regulatory landscape; state and federal laws do not regulate taste and odor, and the new federal PFAS limits will not be enforceable until 2029. Past efforts, including attempts by the City of Boulder to annex the park and connect it to the city’s water supply, have stalled.

The project aligns with a broader strategy by Boulder County Public Health to address water quality concerns and is considered a “meaningful community-led initiative” by Carl Job, a county water quality specialist. A 2023 survey revealed that 91% of the park’s 47 residents buy bottled water, spending over $50 per month, highlighting the community’s long-standing need for a viable water source. The success of these natural solutions remains to be seen, with additional PFAS testing planned through December 2025 under the state’s Mobile Home Park Water Quality Program.

SOURCE: San Lazaro mobile home park turns to natural fixes for undrinkable water