SWSIFactSheetDec06final2

• Title: SWSI Fact Sheet - December 2006
• Date: 12/1/2006
• Author: CWCB
• SWSI II - Doc Type: Fact Sheets

2. Projects and water management processes that local
municipal and industrial (M&I) providers are
implementing or planning to implement have the
ability to meet about 80 percent of Colorado's M&I
water needs through 2030.
3. To the extent that these identified M&I projects are not
successfully implemented, Colorado will see a
significantly greater reduction in irrigated agricultural
lands as M&I water providers seek additional
permanent transfers of agricultural water rights.
Platte
'x.000 [tl 22 Ee,O t)0 8C1E5
I
I
23.000 to T2.I100 acrEa
___
ansas ~I
.~
Sour, C~lararfc's C]ecisi~n 5upfr•rt Systems antl
basin kcun~ta o~.~ Basin A1u iscr i opal.
Projected Changes in Irrigated Acreage by 2030
4. Supplies are not necessarily where demands are;
localized shortages exist, especially in headwater areas,
and compact entitlements in some basins are not fully
utilized.
5. Increased reliance on nonrenewable, nontributary
groundwater for permanent water supply brings serious
reliable and sustainability concerns in some areas,
particularly along the Front Range.
6. In-basin solutions can help resolve the remaining 20
percent gap between M&I water supply and demand,
but there will be tradeoffs and impacts on other users-
especially agriculture and the environment.
7. Water conservation will be relied upon as a major tool
for meeting future M&I demands, but conservation
alone cannot meet all of Colorado's future M&I needs.
Significant water conservation has already occurred in
many areas.
8. Environmental and recreational uses of water are
expected to increase with population growth. Without a
mechanism to fund environmental and recreational
enhancement beyond the project mitigation measures
required by law, conflicts among M&I, agriculture,
recreational, and environmental users could intensify.
9. The ability of smaller, rural water providers and
agricultural water users to adequately address their
existing and future water needs is significantly affected
by their financial abilities.
10. While SWSI evaluated water needs and solutions
through 2030, very few M&1 providers have identified
supplies beyond 2030. Beyond 2030, growing demands
may require more aggressive solutions.
Addressing Colorado's Future Water Needs
Based on the SWSI findings and stakeholder input, the
CWCB identified several recommendations to address
Colorado's future water needs, issues and opportunities.
To move forward on these recommendations the CWCB
established the Intrastate Water Management and
Development Section to further analyze, evaluate, and
develop deeper consensus on key issues and needs. This
work forms the basis for Colorado to begin to implement
solutions to our water needs in a manner that will benefit
all water interests. The first step in this process was the
formation of Technical Roundtables (TRTs) to continue
work in a facilitated meeting forum and conduct technical
analysis around four key areas:
^ Water Efficiency (Agricultural and Municipal &
Industrial)
^ Alternative Agricultural Transfers to Permanent
Dry-up
^ Prioritize and Quantify Recreation and Environment
Needs
^ Addressing the 20 Percent M&I Gap, Agricultural
Shortages, and Environmental and Recreational Needs
Including Development of Alternatives
The overall goal of this effort is to develop reconnaissance
level solutions to address the 20 percent M&I gap,
agricultural shortages, and environmental and recreational
enhancements. To the extent possible, multi-objective
solutions are being considered. Developing a range of
potential solutions will help water providers, policymakers
and stakeholders gain a deeper understanding of the relative
role that water efficiency, agricultural transfers, and new
water development can play in meeting future needs and
the trade-offs associated with these solutions. These
solutions can then be considered in the context of meeting
human needs for water and providing for the needs of
Colorado's natural environment and recreation.
For more information about this or other water resource topics, please contact the CWCB at:
1313 Sherman Street, Room 721, Denver, CO, 80203
Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]
Internet: www.cwcb.state.co.us