Northern El Paso County Coalition of Community Organizations

(NEPCO)May 9, 2015

Presented by Kip Petersen, General Manger Donala Water and Sanitation District

Water in El Paso County

655,000 residents live in El Paso CountyColorado Springs Utilities serves 450,000More than 25 Special Districts/Metro

Districts provide service to the balance of the population

Donala W&S provides water to 2,800 homes

Not All Water is Created EqualSources of water:

Lakes, streams, other watercoursesWells: alluvial and deeper aquifers

Types of Water:-Lakes, streams and alluvial wells are

considered “renewable” -Deeper aquifer waters are considered

“non- renewable”

Renewable vs. Non-renewableRenewable = a water source that is able to recharge

after it is withdrawn, usually by snow melt and rainfall. Almost all of CSU’s water is in this category with a wide-spread system of lakes, reservoirs and pipelines.

Non-renewable = water that does not replace itself once used. 75% of Donala’s water is considered non-renewable. The majority of the Districts in El Paso County are heavily dependent upon this type of water.

All Denver Aquifers are considered non-renewable. A majority of the growth on the front range was built off of Denver Aquifers.

Denver Basin Location(s)

Denver Basin AquifersDawson –shallow, often used for rural, SF

homesDenver – municipal supplies, more north in

Douglas, Arapahoe and Adams CountiesArapahoe – most common source along the

front range for municipal suppliesLaramie-Fox – the deepest aquifer and the

one of last resort for most water providers.

Why do I sound like Chicken Little? Are We Running Out of Water?No, but over the long-term, the Denver Aquifer sources will

continue their decline and the costs to access and deliver that water will increase.

The larger/older front range cities were built on rivers and the acquisition of water rights in the 1800’s was much easier. Colorado Springs is the largest city in the US that is not located by a river or an ocean.

Over the years, more surface water has actually been allocated than there is water. Doctrine of Prior Appropriation i.e. senior water rights. The San Luis People’s Ditch has the oldest continuously operating water right and is an 1852 right

The science of underground water is only recently coming to understand what is really going on under our feet.

The Ogallala Aquifer, located in eastern Colorado and spreading out through the mid-west states, is currently experiencing a serious drawdown in the water levels of their wells. The breadbasket of the US depends upon this water for food production, for both humans and animals.

By 2050, it is estimated that there will not be enough water to service the existing, and anticipated, population in Colorado.

By 2000 it was recognized that this is a regional/statewide issue. Various studies, working groups, etc. were established to identify solutions. The Pikes Peak Regional Water Authority is one of these groups.

The Costs of WaterRenewable water = between $10K-$40K/ AFNon-Renewable water = between

$3K-$7K/AFA new Arapahoe well (approx. 2,000’ deep)

will cost $1,250,000, or more. Donala has a total of 10 deep wells. Each well has an estimated life of 25-30 years.

The FutureIncreased competition for limited amounts of waterDonala currently has 30% renewable water and is looking

to increase that to at least 75% within the next 10 years. The deep water aquifers will be used for drought relief. Renewable supplies have concerns as well, such as climate

change, which can reduce the yields in times of drought.Politics will play a part in the planning process:

Western Slope vs. Front Range.Agriculture vs. Municipal/Industrial Use must be balanced.A discussion regarding water laws that no longer address

contemporary issues.

There is still time to act.We can no longer “kick the can down the street” and let

future generations solve the issues. We can’t make more water. We have to use it efficiently.Education is necessary to change how we “value” water. Water Projects take a lot of time to plan, implement and

complete.We can’t be afraid to think big.Awareness of the future must translate to action soon.Looking 40 years out is not unrealistic, with the

understanding that there will be the potential for reevaluations as conditions warrant.

What are we doing to address these issues?

After 150 years, the State of Colorado is developing a Statewide Water Plan, attempting to formulate a framework of how to address “The Gap”. Projections indicate that the State’s population will double by the year 2050. “The Gap” is the water shortage to absorb the new population.

Considering ways to increase efficiency in our delivery of water.The Pikes Peak Water Authority is studying how to create

an infrastructure system that can connect the multiple water providers, providing means to cooperatively deliver water from various sources through out El Paso County.

Colorado Springs Utilities is changing their perspective on cooperative services.

What are we doing?Donala, Woodmoor and Monument have completed

an analysis on developing a potable reuse water supply for the three communities. It is technically feasible. It is expensive. It has an “ick” factor to overcome.

Donala, along with Cherokee Metro (who replaced Woodmoor), have been participating in a study with a coalition of Wyoming and Colorado water providers, to determine if it is feasible to bring water to the front range from southwestern Wyoming and the Green River. It is physically feasible but expensive. Pipeline would be 400 miles of 66” pipe, cost 2.67 B and take 20 years to complete.

What needs to be done? Kip’s opinions only.

A regional approach to water supplies and deliveries should be a top priority of the various water providers and their Boards of Directors. We are a regional economy but deliver our services individually.

A storage vessel for all our water sources should be pursued in the northern part of El Paso County.

California is now suffering the affects of ignoring a drought for the first three years. In the fourth year, they are now having to take drastic measures to insure that domestic water supplies are adequate for indoor use. We need to continue the education of good stewardship of our water. Conservation, while not the overall answer, will extend the life of our water resources. Mandatory measures are not popular, but if we’re consistent, people will adapt. Donala has been on mandatory 3 day a week irrigation limits since 2007.

“You understand the value of water when the well runs dry.”

Benjamin Franklin

Trivia: There are two states in the US, where water only flows out of. Colorado is one. What is the other state?

Questions?