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Colorado Strategy for Arsenic Removal 
CO-STAR 

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is responsible for implementing the EPA Arsenic Rule that reduced the arsenic maximum contaminant level from 50 parts per billion to 10 parts per billion.  Meeting the lowered allowable limit implementing the rule may be challenging for some Colorado public water systems.  Colorado Strategy for Arsenic Removal (CO-STAR) program was developed to help all Colorado systems meet the new levels by January 23, 2006.  The program established partnerships with public water systems and other interested groups (e.g. Colorado Rural Water Association, EPA, etc.) and provided technical assistance in five-phases.

The five phases are:

1. Data evaluation and assessment. We determined which public water systems would be impacted by the rule.
2. Sampling study.  We develop a sampling plan and then collected arsenic and other pertinent raw water quality data that could affect the possible treatment methods.
3. Engineering analysis of technology and cost evaluation.  All the information collected in the first two phases was utilized to develop system-specific compliance options and cost estimates.  Phase 3 was conducted only for those facilities with confirmed arsenic problems.
4. Financial assistance planning and scheduling.  The financial needs were evaluated and compared to projected funding availability.  The timing of the needs is matched with the funding availability to develop a statewide compliance schedule.
5. Implementation.  Water systems are implementing the preferred compliance options by acquiring funds, completing designs and reviews, performing system modifications and properly operating the modified public water systems. 

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