Water for Tomorrow

 

As the Denver Metro area continues to grow, planning for its water future is an important challenge to Denver Water.  Successful stewardship of this precious resource is critical to Colorado’s prosperity and welfare.  The Denver Water Board’s long history of water management and planning will enable it to meet this challenge.
 

No single water resource is sufficient to meeting this challenge.  In its 1997 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) the Board recognized the need to invest in and manage a diverse portfolio of resources to meet its future needs and minimize risks.  The Board is pursuing opportunities that increase supply through conservation, recycled water, and water supply development.  Each of these resources is an essential piece to our future.

 

Conservation 

In the 2002 IRP the Board set a goal to reduce water use by 29,000 acre-feet by 2050.  This goal was in addition to the 30,000 acre feet of reductions Denver Water users have achieved since 1980.
 

The 2002 drought increased the focus on conservation.  The competing uses of water around the state between the environment, agriculture, recreation, municipal and industrial, make it increasingly clear that water waste is unacceptable in Colorado today.  Consequently, the Board in 2005 reaffirmed its commitment to conservation by accelerating its 50-year conservation goal.
 

Recycled Water 

Denver Water opened its Recycled Water Plant in 2004.  The plant takes water from the Metro Wastewater facility after its first use, treats the water to nonpotable standards, and delivers the recycled water to industrial and irrigation users.  Over the next 15 years, the recycled water distribution system will be expanded to serve more users.

 

Water Supply Development 

Denver Water is pursuing numerous options for increasing water supply.  Some examples include purchasing and constructing storage from previously mined gravel pits north of Denver; implementing small scale system refinements to manage the system for greater productivity; and developing new water supply in the Moffat Collection System. 

The combination of conservation, recycled water, and new water supply development is the foundation of the diverse portfolio of resources that will enable Denver Water to meet future water needs and minimize risks.

 

Conservation 

The New Conservation Plan is a key strategic undertaking.  Only through fostering a conservation culture in this semi-arid region can we truly ensure a sustainable water resource.  The Conservation Plan asks all of Denver’s water users to eliminate water waste and share fairly the responsibility of water conservation.

 

That level of conservation will create positive benefits for some time:

• Reservoirs stay fuller, helping us through future droughts;
• More water remains in streams and rivers, supporting agriculture, the environment, and water-based recreation.

 

Government Takes the Lead 

Mayor John Hickenlooper has rightly concluded that Denver’s city government must lead the way by being a role model for water conservation.  

In 2007:

• Indoor water audits will be done on city buildings
• 100 urinals and toilets in high-use areas will be retrofitted for efficiency
• A plan to improve irrigation efficiency throughout Denver will be launched.
• Plans will be initiated to build conservation into all of city government’s property management

Denver Water Gears Up Conservation Efforts 

Continuing an effort that began 25 years ago Denver Water will ensure that the water collection, treatment and delivery system is as leak-free as possible.
 

In addition, Denver Water is reviewing and enhancing its conservation programs to make sure they achieve the needed level of customer response, while helping customers maintain the lifestyle they desire.
 

Conservation programs will continue to include rebates, incentives, educational programs and practical help for citizens to help them use only the water they need.

 

Businesses and Citizens Do Their Part 

As government steps up and begins reducing its water usage, Denver businesses and citizens will be asked to adopt a conservation culture, maintaining savings they achieved during the drought or stepping up to conservation.