WIGWAM MUTUAL
WATER COMPANY,
COLORADO
PILOT STUDY: REDUCING EMERGING CONTAMINANTS
Community Overview
Located near Fountain City, Colorado, Wigwam Mutual Water Company detected elevated levels of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in its primary water supply well. Moonshot assisted in leading the pilot project, testing whether electrocoagulation can break down PFAS compounds and ensure safe drinking water.
Population: 1,300
Watershed: Fountain Creek
Poverty Rate: 8% below the poverty line
Key Environmental Challenges: PFAS (the forever chemical) contamination in drinking water
MHI: $85,246
Colorado Average: $92,470
Topic Areas: Testing electrocoagulation treatment in drinking water
Project Summary
In 2023, Moonshot was selected to work with the Wigwam MWC to address dangerous levels of PFAS in the community’s primary drinking water source. With support from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Moonshot helped secure a $300,000 EC-SDC Tier 1 grant to launch a full-scale pilot study of electrocoagulation, which is a cutting-edge treatment technology with the potential to remove PFAS compounds from drinking water. Moonshot coordinated regulatory alignment, engineering selection, and pilot scoping and continues to provide oversight and grant management. The results of this 12-month pilot will inform future design and construction phases and may help revolutionize PFAS treatment approaches for small drinking water systems nationwide.
At a Glance
CHALLENGES
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PFAS contamination in the primary drinking water well
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No existing treatment system can address PFAS in small utilities
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Small utility with limited staffing to manage pilot programs.
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Single water source with increasing vulnerability to contamination or treatment failure
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Secured $300,000 in EC-SDC Tier 1 funding
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Launched a 12-month full-scale electrocoagulation pilot study
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Onboarded a qualified engineering firm to operate the pilot system
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Defined data protocols with state and federal agencies
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Positioned electrocoagulation as a potentially replicable PFAS solution for rural water systems
OUTCOMES
The Team
The engine behind the Moonshot Method is the key talent we deploy. Our goal is to bring experience and knowledge to the community through a team of peer advisors. This project was led by:
Licensed environmental engineer with over eight years of experience consulting water and wastewater systems.
Environmental engineer with eight years of consulting experience in water resources and environmental remediation.
The Moonshot Method
PROFILE:
Identified PFAS contamination in drinking water source, prompting action to explore emerging solutions for a small utility.
ASSESSMENT:
Coordinated with EPA, CDPHE, and local stakeholders to assess the technical feasibility and regulatory alignment of electrocoagulation as a treatment for PFAS.
OUR METHOD IN ACTION
LAUNCH:
Secured $300,000 to initiate the full-scale electrocoagulation pilot and positioned Wigwam MWC as a test for scalable PFAS destruction in small drinking water systems.
MAP:
Defined a phased implementation plan, beginning with a 12-month pilot study, structured performance metrics, and reporting protocols.
MENU:
Delivered a EC-SDC Tier 1 grant acquisition, engineering firm selection, pilot system design and oversight, and stakeholder engagement.
