Metropolitan Water Supply Investigation Report

• Project Type: General OWC
• Title: Metropolitan Water Supply Investigation Final Report
• Date: 1/1/1999
• Water Conservation - Doc Type: Final Report

Metropolitan Water Supply Investigation

Introduction

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These investigations are described in Section 3.2.4.3, Systems Integration Study Results
of this report and in Appendix 7.

The information provided in this report should be useful to local, state and federal
officials and the general public in understanding the possibilities and limitations
associated with cooperative water supply planning for the metro Denver region. The
authors believe that the information provided in this report and the Executive Summary
will be useful in the following ways:

. As a background and educational document for state and local officials that may
not be directly involved in water supply planning and development;

. As a preliminary investigation for use by water providers in their evaluation of
water supply opportunities;

. As a reference document and point of departure for future investigations; and

. As a reference document for other interested parties that could be involved in or
impacted by the implementation ofthe subject water supply options (e.g.
environmental organizations, western slope interests, federal and state permitting
agencies).

1.2. BACKGROUND

In January of 1993, Governor Roy Romer and the Colorado Department of Natural
Resources convened the first Colorado Water Convention. The Convention focused on
issues related to Front Range water supply planning and interbasin transfers of water.

The Governor voiced deep concerns about the heavy economic and social costs of "water
supply planning through litigation." He cited the fact that over $80 million had been
spent in unsuccessful litigation and permitting efforts by various water interests in the
previous decade," including Two Forks, Union Park, A WDI and others.

The Governor also spoke about concerns and controversy associated with transmountain
diversions. Others emphasized the potential adverse effects of exports on local
communities and their water supplies, water quality, water-based recreation and
environmental values. Some participants spoke of the need for new legislative protection
for basins of origin against further exports of water.

Discussion at the Convention suggested that a cooperative approach to water supply
planning, focusing on better use of already-developed water supply systems, may be
needed; that only by being sensitive to multiple perspectives could workable ideas
emerge; that further sacrifice on the part of West Slope, agricultural and environmental
interests could not reasonably be expected until the metro Denver area had first "put its
own house in order" through more reliance on water conservation, reuse, conjunctive use,
and other means of full and efficient utilization of existing systems.

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D'''nored for the Colorado Water Conservation Board, Colorado Department of Natural Resources by
. "'-M..It~nts. 1002 Walnut Street, Suite 200, Boulder, CO 80302