WSP09428

• File Number: 8449.926
• Description: South Metro Water Supply Study
• State: CO
• Basin: South Platte
• Date: 2/1/2004
• Author: SMWSS Board
• Title: South Metro Water Supply Study
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

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FIGURE I
STUD'I'AREA
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As development began in the "South Metro Area", Denver Water had established its Combined
Service Area. and water service from Denver Water \I':as clearly not an available option. Several
of the water providers participating in this study were a party to the Colorado and South Platte
River Storage Agreement (Two Forks). and had hoped that renewable surface water supplies
would be available to this area through Two Forks. With the denial of the Two Forks permit. the
only water supplies readily available to development were limited surface supplies from the
South Platte River. Plum Creek and Cherry Creek. and a large volume of ground water in the
Denver Basin aquifers. for development of this area through the year 2050, based upon these
available supplies. the large majority of the demands will be met by non-tributary ground water.
While non-tributary ground water has been an excellent source of municipal water supply, it is a
resource that recharges at vcr)' minimal rates and is essentially a non-renewing water resource
that is being mined at ever increasing rates.

Hence. these water providers. wherever possible. have continued to pursue renewable water
supplies. In general. these districts have maximized the development of surface water supplies.
have developed programs of water conservation. and have developed a significant amount of
reuse ",.ater supplies either through augmentation or through non-potable irrigation. Still, the
South Metro Area is heavily reliant upon non-tributary ground water and recognizes the need to
import additional renewable water supplies.

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