In August 2025, Colorado state officials filed a lawsuit against a mobile home park operator over contaminated drinking water, sparking widespread concern about public health in communities that already face systemic challenges. For residents, the lawsuit was not just about legal accountability—it was about trust in something as fundamental as clean water.
This case is particularly relevant to CMDC Labs (Longmont, CO) because it highlights the urgent need for PFAS testing, heavy metals analysis, and microbial water quality monitoring in Colorado and beyond. As more states face mounting evidence of “forever chemicals” and metals in community water systems, independent labs are playing a vital role in providing the scientific clarity needed to protect residents, hold operators accountable, and prevent health crises.
Why this case matters for Colorado communities
Mobile home parks often house low-income families, seniors, and vulnerable groups who may not have the resources to seek alternative water sources when contamination occurs. The lawsuit underscores three critical realities:
- Invisible risks: PFAS and heavy metals don’t alter the taste, smell, or appearance of water, making contamination easy to miss until health issues emerge.
- Disproportionate impact: Communities already facing economic and housing insecurity are more likely to suffer long-term effects when water infrastructure is neglected.
- Policy pressure: State-level legal action signals growing intolerance for operators who fail to meet safe water standards—and an increasing demand for reliable, third-party testing to verify compliance.
The science of PFAS in water
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), known as “forever chemicals,” are highly resistant compounds used in firefighting foams, nonstick cookware, and industrial processes. Once in groundwater, they persist for decades.
Health risks linked to PFAS include:
- Thyroid disruption
- Immune suppression
- Certain cancers
- Developmental issues in children
Detecting PFAS requires ultra-trace LC-MS/MS methods with PFAS-free sampling kits to avoid false positives. Because state and federal standards are evolving rapidly, action levels are dropping into single-digit ppt (parts per trillion)—well below what traditional water testing methods can measure.
The role of heavy metals
The Colorado case also points to the risk of arsenic, lead, cadmium, and other metals in drinking water:
- Lead leaches from pipes and fixtures, posing severe risks to children’s neurological development.
- Arsenic naturally occurs in groundwater in some regions and has long-term cancer risks.
- Cadmium and mercury are less common but still possible through industrial runoff or aging infrastructure.
Testing requires ICP-MS methods capable of detecting metals at extremely low levels. For regulators, it is not just about whether metals are present but whether they exceed Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) established under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Why microbial testing still matters
While PFAS and metals dominate headlines, microbial contaminants like E. coli and coliform bacteria remain immediate public health threats. In small or poorly maintained water systems, biofilm growth and cross-connections can lead to acute outbreaks that demand fast detection.
Combining chemical and microbial testing gives communities a full picture of water safety.
Lessons for water operators and regulators
The Colorado lawsuit underscores several lessons for anyone managing community water systems:
- Testing is prevention. Waiting for consumer complaints or lawsuits is not a strategy. Routine, independent testing prevents problems before they escalate.
- Transparency builds trust. Sharing results with residents in plain language reduces fear and builds accountability.
- Compliance is evolving. Federal and state PFAS standards are changing rapidly; operators must adopt agile testing programs that anticipate lower thresholds.
- Independent labs bridge the gap. Regulators can’t test every site, and operators may lack expertise—third-party labs provide the impartial, validated science needed to navigate disputes.
How CMDC Labs supports communities and companies
At CMDC Labs, we provide a full spectrum of water quality services that directly address the issues raised in the Colorado case:
- PFAS testing using PFAS-free sampling kits and ultra-trace LC-MS/MS analysis.
- Heavy metal analysis (lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury) via ICP-MS with AOAC-validated methods.
- Microbial monitoring including coliform, E. coli, and heterotrophic plate counts for full safety profiles.
- Regulatory compliance consulting to help operators meet both EPA and evolving Colorado state standards.
- Community transparency reporting designed for residents, not just regulators, to understand what’s in their water.
By combining chemical, microbial, and regulatory expertise, CMDC Labs empowers both operators and communities to move from fear and litigation to confidence and trust.
Why this is more than a lawsuit
The Colorado mobile home park lawsuit is a wake-up call—not just for one community, but for water systems across the state. It highlights the intersection of science, policy, and public trust in safeguarding drinking water.
Clean water isn’t optional. It’s the foundation of community health. And ensuring it requires both rigorous science and independent accountability.
At CMDC Labs, we believe no family—human or pet, affluent or vulnerable—should have to question whether their water is safe. Our mission is to provide the testing, the clarity, and the assurance that communities deserve.
Sources: 9News Colorado coverage of the mobile home park water contamination lawsuit (Aug 2025); U.S. EPA PFAS Strategic Roadmap and Safe Drinking Water Act Maximum Contaminant Levels; FDA and EPA guidance on PFAS and heavy metals in drinking water; Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment water quality updates; peer-reviewed studies on PFAS health risks and heavy metal exposure in community water systems.
