Water Efficiency Plan Update

As we update our Water Efficiency Plan, it has been so interesting hearing from our community. Incorporating what you think about our precious water resources will be a critical element of our plan development process. As of the end of March, more than 1,000 people have participated through meetings, tabling events, or survey responses to share their thoughts. It overwhelms me with appreciation!

Our goal is to hear diverse voices. That way, we can develop water conservation targets and strategies that are inclusive and grounded in real-world experiences and concerns. I believe it is critical water programs, policies, and projects reflect the needs, aspirations, and values of the people they serve.

Through community engagement we create dialogue and opportunities for shared leadership in addressing our community’s water challenges. Moreover, the updated plan will benefit from collective wisdom and creativity, which can bring innovative solutions. In its Municipal Water Efficiency Plan Guidance Document, the Colorado Water Conservation Board emphasizes the importance of transparency and public input when it comes to planning, noting that “the success of a plan is highly dependent on the public’s participation in conserving water.”

What's next?

Over the coming months, Utilities staff will work with communications experts to compile and evaluate the input we receive from our community. The water conservation goals and strategies included in the 2024 Water Efficiency Plan will be based on several key factors:

• What we heard from our community
• Potential for water savings
• Potential for equitable outcomes
• Cost
• Practicality of putting something into place

Thanks for checking in! This site is a great resource to stay up-to-date. You can also sign up to stay informed, and we will email you when we reach major project milestones.

Take care, and stay water wise out there!

Project Manager Alice Conovitz

Utilities staff is scheduled to be at Old Town Library on March 13, 2024 and Council Tree Library on March 15, 2024 to answer questions or have a conversation about water use and conservation. They will also have paper surveys on hand.

In addition, Utilities will provide paper surveys at Council Tree Library, Old Town Library, and the Utilities Administration Building at 222 Laporte Ave. from March 11-22, 2024.

Utilities is updating the Water Efficiency Plan (WEP) to guide water use within the City organization and set future water use goals for Utilities’ water service area. It is also a requirement by the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB). Staff will work on the WEP update from 2023 through the second half of 2024. Once adopted by City Council, Utilities will submit it to the CWCB for approval.

Climate change is predicted to impact our water supplies and we may need more water to keep our community’s public and private landscapes healthy. Population growth and regional issues (e.g., Colorado River Basin drought) also impact our supply. City and community efforts have been successful at lowering water use – an average per person reduction of 34% since 2000. Still, the community is not on track to meet the 2015 WEP goal of 130 gallons per capita, per day by 2030. By updating the WEP and our efficiency goals, strategies and programs, we aim to continue reducing water use to increase resiliency for our whole community.

The WEP update process embraces the One Water view that all water has value and should be managed in a sustainable, inclusive, and integrated way. This requires collaboration across City departments involved in water planning, protection, and distribution; land use planning and development review; and recreational uses such as parks, golf, municipal buildings, and other public spaces. The process also requires engagement with marginalized community members, as well as broad outreach to residential and commercial water customers.

WEP will align with Our Climate Future (OCF) Big Moves and overall philosophy to align with community goals and values. OCF Big Moves 3 and 6 directly address water. Utilities' Water Conservation team will collaborate with the OCF team to build those into the work the City is planning for the next few years. The Water Conservation team is also responsible for putting strategies prioritized through the WEP update into practice.