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As County leaders, we must protect our region. Our quality of life is directly connected to our commitment to build a tomorrow that preserves the best of today. This vision includes protecting our natural resources, utilizing our county’s resources in a fiscally-smart manner, and wisely planning for our future. Thank you for standing with us.
El Paso County’s Water Master Plan Emphasizes Need for Additional Renewable Water
In place for more than five years, the El Paso County Water Master Plan is not only guiding growth and development in the county, but is also an integrating a county-wide water strategy with the overall county master plan.
Like Douglas County, El Paso County is growing rapidly and must ensure that it guarantees adequate water resources to meet expanding demand; its current shortfall is estimated at more than 70,000 acre feet of water.
Population estimates show that El Paso County will add an additional 400,000 residents by 2060 to its current population of 741,000 population – with Colorado Springs becoming the largest city in Colorado.
El Paso County is served by 70 different water providers. In addition, there are more than 21,000 permitted groundwater wells throughout the county.
The county has a range of water assets, including imported and native renewable water.
The plan notes that the majority of the water providers in the unincorporated areas of the county rely on Denver Basin aquifers which are non-renewable.
In the study that formed the core of the water master plan, experts determined that the county will need to find additional water sources going forward to meet expected demand.
Leaders of the El Paso County Planning and Community Development department, noted in an article on the Water Master Plan that, “many water providers will need to incorporate or increase renewable water sources in their portfolios and some have already initiated the process of bringing renewable water from outside their service areas to meet their growing demands.”
It’s noteworthy that Douglas County’s neighbor to the south has completed a comprehensive study and put a master plan into effect more than five years ago – including the strategic priority of bringing additional renewable water into the county.
El Paso’s lengthy experience in charting a reasonable, science-based path forward is an example for Douglas County’s leaders to follow.
Recent Headlines
JFG Industry Insights: Water Infrastructure
... As mentioned, all this infrastructure requires bundles of cash to develop and maintain. In 2019, total capital spent on water infrastructure was around $48 billion, though the estimated capital need was $129 billion, creating a (checks math) $81 billion annual funding gap. If we maintain this current trajectory, the cumulative funding gap will grow to $2.2 trillion by 2039. Unfortunately, it is us, the rate payers, who will bear the brunt of these much-needed capital expenditures. By one estimate, a family’s water bill could increase threefold over the next decade as utilities pass through increased costs to customers.
Water treatment plant at the base of Horsetooth Reservoir approved for higher capacity
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment approved an increased capacity at a treatment plant that provides drinking water to Northern Colorado residents, according to a news release from the North Weld County Water District.
The Soldier Canyon Water Treatment Plant, which is located at the base of Horsetooth Reservoir, serves nearly 150,000 people in the Fort Collins-Loveland Water District, East Larimer County Water District and North Weld County Water District.
…The capacity will increase from 60 to 68 million gallons per day using the existing facilities.
Colorado is home to some of the fastest-growing cities in the country, which increases the demand on water. Climate change is not only reducing stream flows across the state, but it can also increase demand if people need more water during warmer times.
Colorado town admits high water bills are "a problem," continue citing high usage among residents
After months of elected and appointed town officials saying high water bills were the result of residents using high levels of water, the town of Wellington is now saying there may be some cases with issues away from levels of consumption.
The town, located north of Fort Collins, has been grilled by many residents in recent months for water bills, some of which have reached beyond $1,500 a month for single family homes.
While admitting the town is investigating a handful of anomalies and issues with some residents, a spokesperson for the town said a significant majority of those complaining of high water bills are still simply using high levels of water.
Colorado’s water plan estimates that the total water shortage in the South Platte, Arkansas, and Colorado Basins could reach 2.3 million acre-feet by 2050.
Upcoming News from DCFF
Every other week, DCFF will report on important news and challenges impacting our community. We hope you will stay engaged and connected with us.
