MetroSouthPlatteInterimBasinWaterSupplyNeedsReport (2)

Home Browse Search

Section 5 Consumptive Water Needs in the South Platte Basin and Denver/South Metro Counties members and local water providers provided input that can be used to refine the per capita water use estimates for certain counties in future SWSI efforts. 5.1.1.4 Self-Supplied Industrial Use SSI uses were estimated for baseline and projected future water needs in order to more accurately characterize the state's anticipated increase in water use between 2000 and 2030. The CWCB Drought and Water Supply Assessment database of SSI uses was used as an initial source of information for this analysis. These data were supplemented in SWSI with calls to major industrial water users to verify, update, and expand the information used in the SWSI analyses. SSI water uses estimated in SWSI include: . Coal-fired and natural gas power generating facilities that consume significant quantities of water . Snowmaking facilities . Other identified industrial facilities with significant water use such as brewing, manufacturing, and food processing Estimates of baseline and future water use at various power generation facilities in Colorado were sought. Current water use data were obtained for several facilities. These data were for facilities in Larimer County. Two dozen regional water use studies were reviewed to identify estimates of current and future projected water use for snowmaking in Colorado counties, with a wide range of conclusions regarding typical rates. Ultimately, the recent Upper Colorado River Basin Study ("UPCO" study) was determined to have the most up-to-date and thorough assessment of snowmaking use at ski areas. Data from this study were used to derive an average snowmaking use per ski area and applied to known or anticipated ski areas in each basin. The estimates for some ski areas were supplemented and refined by directly contacting and interviewing representatives of selected ski areas on an individual basis. 5.1.1.5 Effect of Level 1 Conservation Naturally-occurring water conservation savings are defined as water savings that result from the impacts of plumbing codes, ordinances, and standards that improve the efficiency of water use. These conservation savings are called "passive" savings because water utilities do S:\1177\Basin Reports\South Platte\S5_South Platte.doc not actively fund and implement programs that produce these savings. In contrast, water conservation savings resulting from utility-sponsored water conservation programs are referred to as "active" savings. For the purposes of SWSI, passive conservation is also termed Level 1 conservation. Active conservation measures- beyond those currently in place - were evaluated in SWSI as options toward addressing future water needs in each basin, as part of alternatives developed by the SWSI team in conjunction with SWSI Basin Roundtable participants. The National Energy Policy Act of 1992 set manufacturing standards for improved water efficiency for toilets, urinals, showerheads, and faucets. These standards became effective in 1994. The standards for commercial fixtures became effective in 1997. These standards affect the types of water-using fixtures available for new construction as well as remodeled or renovated facilities, and result in improved indoor water use efficiency. In addition, some municipalities have ordinances that limit turf or irrigated areas, which reduce outdoor water use. Typically, estimates of Level 1 conservation savings for a given water utility service area, or other planning area, are a function of characteristics of the service area such as the percent of water efficient fixtures present at some base period in time and subsequent new construction and remodeling. The allocation of total water use among various uses may be seasonal. For example, irrigation is expected to be a larger component of total water use in summer months than in winter months. Locations affected by landscaping ordinances may have a greater impact from Level 1 conservation in the summer months, while locations without landscaping ordinances may find the impact of Level 1 conservation to be more noticeable in winter months. The estimation of conservation savings requires an initial baseline forecast of water demand without conservation. The baseline water demand forecast is driven by projections of future demographic growth for the study area and does not account for the effects of future water conservation. Impacts of conservation savings can then be determined from the baseline water demand forecast. CONI 5-5