Water Efficiency Plan Update
Update me! Click here to sign up to stay informed.(External link)
Water is an essential resource for all of us. The City of Fort Collins and Fort Collins Utilities have a strong commitment to ensure its efficient use.
Utilities is updating its current Water Efficiency Plan(External link). The updated plan will guide how we all use water and set fresh goals to reduce the amount we use as a community. Learn more detail about the WEP and why it is important in the background below.
The WEP update process includes developing a new water modeling tool. The tool will look at water demand and potential savings from various efficiency and conservation strategies, considering current and future climate and population predictions. In addition to expected water savings, strategies will be evaluated for equitable outcomes, cost, and other variables. The WEP update process will also incorporate engagement focused on a One Water approach(External link) and on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
By updating our water efficiency goals, strategies, and programs, we aim to continue reducing water use to increase resiliency for our whole community.
We are interested in hearing from you on ways we can use water better. Explore this website's various information and engagement opportunities, and always feel free to get in touch.
Update me! Click here to sign up to stay informed.(External link)
Water is an essential resource for all of us. The City of Fort Collins and Fort Collins Utilities have a strong commitment to ensure its efficient use.
Utilities is updating its current Water Efficiency Plan(External link). The updated plan will guide how we all use water and set fresh goals to reduce the amount we use as a community. Learn more detail about the WEP and why it is important in the background below.
The WEP update process includes developing a new water modeling tool. The tool will look at water demand and potential savings from various efficiency and conservation strategies, considering current and future climate and population predictions. In addition to expected water savings, strategies will be evaluated for equitable outcomes, cost, and other variables. The WEP update process will also incorporate engagement focused on a One Water approach(External link) and on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
By updating our water efficiency goals, strategies, and programs, we aim to continue reducing water use to increase resiliency for our whole community.
We are interested in hearing from you on ways we can use water better. Explore this website's various information and engagement opportunities, and always feel free to get in touch.
-
Project Manager update: Using your feedback to create the plan
Share Project Manager update: Using your feedback to create the plan on Facebook Share Project Manager update: Using your feedback to create the plan on Twitter Share Project Manager update: Using your feedback to create the plan on Linkedin Email Project Manager update: Using your feedback to create the plan link23 Sep 2024Hey everyone! We’re thrilled to share the latest on our Water Efficiency Plan (WEP) update. We want you to be in the loop on how feedback will help shape the future of our community’s water use.
Why update the WEP?
We’re focused on two big goals: identifying the best water-saving strategies for our water service area and using conservation and efficiency to lower our risk of water shortages.What did we do?
Our approach was all about listening and engaging. We hosted community meetings, worked with community liaisons to connect with historically underrepresented and disproportionately impacted community members, launched a wide-reaching survey to gather your thoughts and ideas, and held workshops with City staff. Thank you to the community members and staff who shared their time, thoughts, and perspectives! We connected with more than 5,000 people through various meetings, focus groups, community events, and surveys, dedicating more than 95 hours to listening to feedback.Key findings:
-
What are your top water conservation strategies?
- Most of you are into water-efficient fixtures and xeriscaping (landscaping that reduces the need for water). There's strong interest in focusing on outdoor water use and promoting native plants. Education was also highlighted as crucial, particularly for homeowners, landscapers, and homeowners’ associations.
-
What concerns do you have?
- The biggest worries are about our water supply’s long-term viability, especially under climate change, and having enough water for growth and future generations. There's a mix of feelings about how to tackle these issues, with some people wanting stricter regulations and others supporting broader public voluntary actions.
-
Mandates vs. incentives: What’s the preference?
- You’re leaning toward a mix of both. There’s support for regulating large entities, new development, and non-functional turf, while focusing on incentives for individuals and smaller businesses.
-
Effective outreach:
- The City needs to improve outreach, education, and programming to provide opportunities for everyone to lower their water use. We can do this by building strong relationships, meeting people where they are, and making information accessible through actions like language translation and flexible program participation requirements. Gaps in our current outreach include how we reach low-income renters, Spanish-speaking communities, and key stakeholders like realtors and landscapers.
-
Drivers for action:
- Most of you are willing to take action to conserve water! We learned that many feel that conserving water is everyone’s responsibility, so creating a culture of conservation across our community – including businesses, residents, and development - is important. Our community also wants the City to lead by example by taking action to use less water in public spaces like parks, streetscapes, and buildings. The good news is, the City is already off to a great start there!
We’re excited to use these insights to enhance our water efficiency efforts and make sure everyone has a role in conserving our precious resources. Stay tuned for the next update and ways you can get involved!What’s next?
Our current focus is on setting community-wide conservation goals and narrowing down conservation strategies by looking at factors such as equity impacts, resource needs, and water-saving potential. All of this work takes time – we plan to go to City Council in early 2025 to share updates.For now, take care, and stay water wise out there!
Project Manager Alice Conovitz
-
What are your top water conservation strategies?
-
Project Manager update: Taking feedback and creating strategies
Share Project Manager update: Taking feedback and creating strategies on Facebook Share Project Manager update: Taking feedback and creating strategies on Twitter Share Project Manager update: Taking feedback and creating strategies on Linkedin Email Project Manager update: Taking feedback and creating strategies link01 Jul 2024We recently wrapped up our community engagement. We documented the discussions, suggestions and survey responses and will use that feedback to help us write the 2024 WEP.
The numbers:
- 1,326 survey responses
- More than 100 people participated in focus group-style sessions
From the survey alone, respondents said their top five primary concerns related to water included:
- Water shortages such as drought
- Having enough water to support population growth and future generations
- Using water to irrigate grass areas that are rarely or never used for gatherings, play, sports or other active purposes
- Health and attractiveness of landscapes and trees
- Being able to pay bills and fees
Also of note, most survey respondents said they would be willing to take some action to save water in the next year. As a water conservation professional, that’s music to my ears!
Staff also visited with and heard feedback from:
- Local landscape professionals
- Spanish speakers
- Colorado State University students
- Homeowners associations
- Mobile home park residents
- Library visitors
- Small businesses
- Older residents
- City of Fort Collins Climate Equity Committee
- City of Fort Collins boards and commissions
Hearing from all these voices gave us a lot to consider. We took care to whittle down the 150+ water conservation strategies that people suggested by examining their impact. After several rounds, we are now deeply analyzing about 20 before deciding the strategies that we'll include in the WEP. As a reminder, the goals and strategies 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
For now, take care, and stay water wise out there!
Project Manager Alice Conovitz
-
2023 Water Conservation Annual Report
Share 2023 Water Conservation Annual Report on Facebook Share 2023 Water Conservation Annual Report on Twitter Share 2023 Water Conservation Annual Report on Linkedin Email 2023 Water Conservation Annual Report link07 May 2024As we update the WEP to set new water conservation goals, it’s helpful to look at the current water conservation programs we offer our customers and our progress at lowering water use over time. You can find all of this information and more in the 2023 Water Conservation Annual Report(External link).
For the first time, water use was below the 2015 WEP goal of 130 GPCD! Average water use in 2023 was 42% lower compared to 2000, including actions that resulted in about 130 million gallons saved. However, 2023’s record rainfall and wet, cool irrigation season played a large role and reduced total treated water use by about 13%. If we receive less rain this summer, it is likely that GPCD will increase.
Utilities has a strong commitment to ensuring the efficient and responsible use of our natural resources. Our Water Conservation Program started in 1977 and we continue to innovate how we help the community use water wisely
Learn more at fcgov.com/WCR(External link).
-
Project Manager update: Water is essential for life, and community input is essential for Utilities’ water planning!
Share Project Manager update: Water is essential for life, and community input is essential for Utilities’ water planning! on Facebook Share Project Manager update: Water is essential for life, and community input is essential for Utilities’ water planning! on Twitter Share Project Manager update: Water is essential for life, and community input is essential for Utilities’ water planning! on Linkedin Email Project Manager update: Water is essential for life, and community input is essential for Utilities’ water planning! link01 Apr 2024As 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(External link), 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(External link), and we will email you when we reach major project milestones.
Take care, and stay water wise out there!
Project Manager Alice Conovitz
-
Meet us at the library!
Share Meet us at the library! on Facebook Share Meet us at the library! on Twitter Share Meet us at the library! on Linkedin Email Meet us at the library! link08 Mar 2024Utilities 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.
-
Background
Share Background on Facebook Share Background on Twitter Share Background on Linkedin Email Background link17 Aug 2023Utilities 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(External link) 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(External link)) 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(External link) 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.
Stay involved
Need to Know
City Council Documents
Timeline
-
Planning, Internal Engagement, Broad Communication and Engagement
Water Efficiency Plan Update has finished this stageQ1 2023- Q3 2024
Engage staff to develop and initiate plan strategy
Engage consultants to consider strategies for modeling
Collect feedback from community members on water conservation values and strategies
Summarize and analyze feedback
-
Technical Modeling
Water Efficiency Plan Update has finished this stageQ1 2024- Q1 2025
Build and run water demand model
-
Integrate Learnings into Draft Plan
Water Efficiency Plan Update is currently at this stageQ2 2024- Q1 2025
Consider technical modeling, staff, and community feedback to draft plan for final review and approval
-
Public Comment, Plan Consideration and Adoption
this is an upcoming stage for Water Efficiency Plan UpdateQ1 2025-Q2 2025 (estimated)
Public Comment Period
Colorado Water Conservation Board review
City Council review, consideration, adoption
Community Consultants
Utilities' Water Conservation team is partnering with four Community Consultants to directly engage with underserved community groups across our service area. Community Consultants will provide dedicated engagement with the goal that all community members can benefit from our water efficiency and conservation strategies, including marginalized groups. Meet our Community Consultants below!
Who's Listening
-
Community Consultant
-
Community Consultant
-
Community Consultant
-
Community Consultant
TN
Fort Collins Utilities Staff
-
Water Conservation Specialist
-
Sr. Community Engagement Specialist
Other Relevant Links
- City of Fort Collins 2015 Water Efficiency Plan (current) (External link)
- Colorado Water Conservation Board 2012 Municipal Water Efficiency Plan Guidance Document (External link)
- Colorado Water Conservation Board 2019 addendum (External link)
- Water Supply Requirements and Commercial Water Allotments