AppendixE

• Basin: Statewide
• Title: SWSI Phase 1 Report - Appendix E
• Date: 11/15/2004
• Author: CWCB
• SWSI - Doc Type: Final Report

IV. Baseline Water Demand
Estimates
The DOLA population projections by county were multiplied by the county
gallon per capita water rates described in Chapter III to provide estimates of
future water demand for the municipal and industrial (M&I) water users of
each county. In addition, water demand by extraneous self-supplied (SS)
water users, as identified in Chapter III, was added to the county M&I water
demand estimate. These future water demand estimates are presented in
Appendix C by county and summarized by basin in Table 12. The forecast of
total water demand by basin is illustrated in Figure 3. The water demand
estimates presented in Appendix C and Table 12 are baseline water demand
estimates that do not include the impact of future water conservation.
Total baseline water demand state-wide for M&I and self-supplied uses is
estimated to be 1.19 million acre-feet in the year 2000. This total demand is
estimated to increase to 1.93 million acre-feet in 2030, representing a 61
percent increase in water demand. The South Platte basin accounts for two-
thirds of M&I water demand, 46 percent of self-supplied water demand and
65 percent of total water demand. The Arkansas basin accounts for about 18
percent of M&I demand, 30 percent of self-supplied water demand and 19
percent of total demand. The Colorado basin accounts for 8 percent of M&I
water demand, 5 percent of self-supplied water demand and 8 percent of
total water demand.
M&I water demand in the Colorado basin is expected to almost double over
the 30-year planning period. Total water demand in the Colorado basin is
expected to increase by 95 percent. The Dolores and Gunnison basins are also
projected to experience high percentage growth in M&I water demand.
Statewide, M&I water demand is expected to increase 66 percent from 2000
to 2030, self-supplied water demand is expected to increase 31 percent, and
total water demand is expected to increase 61 percent, without the influence of
future conservation.
The baseline water demand estimates presented in Appendix C and Table 12
do not include the impact of future water conservation. The water demand
estimates are based upon year 2000 water use information and thus are
inclusive of current water conservation practices. Alternative water demand
scenarios that incorporate alternative population growth and impacts of
future water conservation efforts are discussed in the following chapters.
The baseline SWSI water demand estimates were compared with other
sources of water demand estimates for the State of Colorado. These
comparisons are shown in Table 13. Water use accounted for in the 2000
Drought Survey conducted by the Colorado Water Conservation Board
totaled 0.8 million acre-feet. As expected, the Drought Survey is not
comprehensive and thus does not account for all water use throughout the
IV. Preliminary SWSI Water Demand Estimates 27