Metropolitan Water Supply Investigation Report

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Metropolitan Water Supply Investigation Introduction The Convention also focused on a "systems integration" approach to water supply planning. This approach envisioned a cooperative and inclusive water supply planning process to supplement the ongoing effort of individual water providers. Several potential water supply options were highlighted including the proposed Barr Lake Plan, the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District's Southern Water Supply Pipeline, conjunctive use of surface and groundwater, interconnection and coordinated operation of individual water supply systems, pooling and sharing of supplies, and regional management of systems. Many conference participants felt that the State of Colorado could fill a unique role in advancing cooperative water supply solutions by acting ~s a facilitator and coordinator, offering the technical expertise available within state agencies, and providing financial support. 1.3. MWSI ORIGINS AND OBJECTIVES Conference participants' overall response to the cooperative possibilities raised was generally positive. Based on this response, the MWSI was initiated under the joint leadership of the State Legislature and the Governor. The 1993 Session of the General Assembly authorized the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) to spend up to $450,000 to investigate opportunities for enhanced coordination in meeting the water supply needs of the metropolitan Denver area. During the summer of 1993 the Colorado Department of Natural Resources formulated a preliminary scope of study for the MWSI. This scope of study targeted three specific water supply opportunities: 1. The Barr Lake Plan, as suggested by the owners of the Burlington Ditch system that serves agricuIturallands to the northeast of the metro Denver area; 2. Integration of the water supply systems of the metro'Denver area and the northern Front Range via the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District's proposed Southern Water Supply Pipeline; and 3. Conjunctive use of non-tributary Denver Basin groundwater with surface water supplies systems. The overall focus of the investigation was to be a cooperative analysis of these supply side opportunities. The preliminary scope of study did not include projections of future water demands, which had been addressed in previous studies including the Metropolitan Denver Water Supply Environmental Impact Statement. Also excluded from the MWSI's scope of study were investigations of new water development projects or ofthe potential of additional water conservation savings. It was felt that these topics had already been studied in prior efforts. 3 Prepared for the Colorado Water Conservation Board, Colorado Department of Natural Rpo,..."--- .