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<br />Colorado Springs is a part of the basin, and part of the Fry-Ark Project, Salazar said. But he added part of <br />the city's obligation has to be dealing with tht? increased return flows on Fountain Creek resulting from <br />the city's growth. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Chronic Water IMchargesLed to Fine: An l.II'lJRCOOented $61,462 fine imposed on Colorado Springs Utilities <br />in December for illegally discharging reclaimed water resulted from repeated violations spanning six <br />years, a state ofticial said Jan 5. Also, the spills sent water that contained levels of chlorine 157 times the <br />legal limit into Fountain Creek, where it threatened aquatic life. <br /> <br />"The (state health) department initiated this action as a result of the chronic nature and large volumes <br />associated with these discharges - 22 discharges since October 2000, one as large as 2 million gallons," <br />Scott Klarich, with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's Water Quality Control <br />Division, said in an e-mail. <br /> <br />Klarich also noted that the discharged water contained chlorine concentrations that ranged, on average, <br />from 2 to 3 milligrams per liter. The legal standard for chlorine in Fountain Creek is 0.019 mgll. <br /> <br />The fine was levied in December, along with an additional $65,542 fine for 13 sewage spills in 2006. <br /> <br />Steve Berry, Colorado Springs Utilities spokesman, called the state's comments about the nonpotable <br />water spills "alarmist" and wondered if state health officials watch other permit holders with equal zeal. <br /> <br />Klarich said the department is concerned about all unauthorized discharges, especially chronic ones that <br />have potential to pollute waterways. He said Springs Utilities is unique in its extensive distribution <br />network and the pipes' proximity to Fountain Creek and its tributaries. Thus when a release occurs in <br />Colorado Springs, there is a high likelihood that it will reach state waters, unlike the metro-Denver area, <br />which is relatively flat and has few natural drainage ways. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Scott Campbell, Springs Utilities system operations manager for water services, said the system's 40-year <br />age is a problem, but the city is working to replace and enlarge 22,000 linear feet of the east-loop <br />pipeline. The loop provides reclaimed water for irrigation to areas around Memorial Hospital, the <br />Olympic Training Center and Patty Jewett Golf Course. The four- to five-year project to replace the line <br />began two years ago and will cost $6.5 million. <br /> <br />SECWCD Meetings and Events: The Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District Monthly <br />Board Meeting Meetings and the Water Activity Enterprise meetings are held the third Thursday of each <br />month, at the District office, 31717 United Avenue, Pueblo, Colorado. For more information go to <br />www.secwcd.org <br /> <br />LA VWCD Meetings: Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservancy District Meetings are held the third <br />Wednesday of every month, held 80 1 Sw~ A venue, Rocky Ford, Colorado. For more information call- <br />719-254-5115 or go to www.lavwcd.org . <br /> <br />pper Arkansas Water Conservancy Meetings: The District holds its meetings on the second <br />hursday of each month, 1 :00 p.m. at the Upper District office: 339 East Highway 50, Salida, Colorado. <br />or more information go to www.uawc.org. <br /> <br />Colorado River Basin <br /> <br />Status of the 7-Colorado River Basin State Negotiations: In response to recent drought conditions, on <br />~ay 2,2005 the Secretary of Interior initiated a process to develop Lower Basin Shortage Criteria along . <br />fith a review of the 1970 Coordinated Long-Range Operating Criteria for Colorado River <br />Reservoirs to evaluate the potential for changes in the operations of Lakes Powell and Mead under low <br /> <br />28 <br />