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<br />Fish Creek Reservoir Expansion EIS
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<br />Combination Alternative is being added to the Final EIS, but does not display any impacts that are
<br />outside the range of the alternative impacts already disclosed.
<br />
<br />WATER CONSERVATION ALTERNATIVE
<br />
<br />Water conservation activities are designed to reduce the demand for water, improve efficiency in
<br />water use, and reduce the losses and waste of water. The Water Conservation Alternative has been
<br />developed under the assumption that the Forest Service would select the No Action Alternative and
<br />therefore, the City and Mt. Werner would need to evaluate alternative ways to supply and conserve
<br />water. Both the City and Mt. Werner have indicated that even if the Proposed Action is selected,
<br />they would continue to implement conservation measures. Conservation measures presently include:
<br />
<br />. Metering and billing for actual water used
<br />. Replacement schedule for pipes to control loss in the system
<br />. Voluntary lawn water restrictions between 10:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M.
<br />. Replacing treated water use with raw water use, when possible
<br />. Required pressure reduction valves
<br />. Study of xeriscape benefits and utilization of xeriscape, where appropriate
<br />. Study of plumbing retrofit in tourist-oriented lodging complexes
<br />. New construction ordinances requiring water efficient plumbing fixtures
<br />
<br />It is important to note that the ultimate results of implementing a formal water conservation
<br />program would rely on many site-specific factors and would depend largely on the cooperation of
<br />the community. It would take several years before the effects of conservation are realized and
<br />facility expansion could still be required, although a savings of 10-20% attributable to conservation
<br />efforts is estimated.
<br />
<br />Environmental Consequences of Water Conservation
<br />
<br />Under the conservation alternative, water demands could be reduced by approximately 10 to 20
<br />percent. This represents a water savings of approximately 260 to 520 AF/year today; 500 to 1,000
<br />AF/year in the year 2013; and 930 to 1,860 in the year 2033. The short-term consequences of this
<br />reduction in water demand include increased streamflows and increased water levels in the reservoir.
<br />In the long-term, however, the consequences would be the same as those described under the No
<br />Action Alternative.
<br />
<br />Cumulative impacts associated with the reduction in water demand would include the cost savings
<br />associated with the decrease in water and wastewater treatment volumes. Water and wastewater
<br />treatment operation and maintenance cOSts would be reduced and costly treatment plant expansions
<br />could be avoided. Additionally, infrastructure capital and operation costs associated with the
<br />distribution of water and collection of wastewater could be reduced.
<br />
<br />With a metered billing rate, however, conservation could also result in decreased water and
<br />wastewater utility revenues. Furthermore, it could take several years before the effects of
<br />conservation are realized and facility expansion could still be required.
<br />
<br />Additionally, the utilization of water conservation techniques, such as xeriscaping, could alter rhe
<br />visual nature of the landscape to a more native appearing landscape.
<br />
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<br />Pag.S.10
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<br />S,/,t<mkr 1993
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