PROJ02092

• Contract/PO #: C150180
• Contractor Name: Pinewood Springs Water District
• Contract Type: Loan
• Water District: 4
• County: Larimer
• Loan Projects - Doc Type: Feasibility Study

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SECTION I
INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND

This Planning Document considers raw water supply and reliability improvements for the Pinewood
Springs Water District. The Pinewood Springs Water District is located along both sides of
Colorado Highway 36 approximately eight miles northwest of Lyons and twelve miles southeast of
Estes Park, in Larimer County. The Little Thompson River transects portions of the District.

The Pinewood Springs development was begun in 1959 and gradually evolved to its present
boundaries in about 1977. The District was incorporated as shown on Drawing 1, and essentially
only includes the Pinewood Springs Subdivisions. Dwellings in the planning area are occupied
primarily by both year-round and a small amount of vacation/weekend residents.

The central water system which serves the District was constructed in parts by the developer as the
community grew. It is now owned and operated by the Pinewood Springs Water District. There is
no municipal sewage system, as each of the residents uses individual septic tank-leach fields. The
central water system is comprised of three pressure zones and consists of: raw water supply from
the Little Thompson River and wells, a micro-filtration water treatment plant, and various storage
tanks. A key component that is missing is the ability to store raw water, thereby enhancing system
reliability during dry years.

PURPOSE OF THE PLANNING DOCUMENT

Problem Definition and Need:
The District is largely built out. Consequently, water demands on the distribution system can be
accurately assessed. The District is justifiably concemed that the ultimate projected water demand
will be difficult to meet under drought conditions without taking steps to improve the reliability of the
raw water supply. Several altematives for improving system reliability can be considered. These
include: (a) taking no action, (b) optimizing the existing system's operation so as to remove the need
for improving raw water supplies by reducing leakage or improving treatment rates, (c) consolidating
with other Districts and supply sources, and (d) various raw water treatment and storage options
(Altemates A-D as described in Section IV).

The on-going drought has highlighted a deficiency in the District's water system. The District
currently lacks adequate raw water supply and storage. Prudent master planning requires that
steps be taken to augment the existing drought constrained water supply for the Pinewood Springs
community.

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