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CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION Water conservation in the northern Front Range of Colorado is becoming an increasingly important part of sound water management and should be included as part of the water supply planning process. A meaningful and effective water conservation plan is a key component to accomplishing efficient water delivery obligations while minimizing system costs and protecting a valuable and limited resource. East Larimer County Water District (ELCO) understands this importance and is committed to optimizing its water supplies and system through practical water conservation practices. The purpose of this Water Conservation Plan is to guide ELCO in the process of water conservation planning and implementation. ELCO was traditionally a rural water provider serving customers located north and east of the City of Fort Collins. In the past, the District served low-density rural subdivisions, dairies, farmsteads, mobile home parks, motels, rural residential acreages, industrial parks and two small wholesale water suppliers. Its proximity to the City of Fort Collins and growth in the area has changed the nature of ELCO. It is now more of an urban water provider serving low and medium-density subdivisions as well as more retail and service oriented commercial accounts. ELCO serves the Northern Colorado Water Association (NCWA) and the Sunset Water District through master meter taps. These wholesale accounts are responsible for acquiring their own raw water supplies, which they transfer to ELCO on an annual basis for treatment and delivery. ELCO's 53 square mile service area and its vicinity to the City of Fort Collins is shown in Figure 3.1 Forty percent of ELCO's service area is in the Fort Collins Growth Management Area (GMA), which Fort Collins will develop according to its land use planning standards. ELCO will still provide water service in this portion of the GMA. The GMA is shown in Figure 3.2 along with the other water districts the vicinity. This dynamic and close proximity between the District and the City requires good communication and coordination for successful water conservation. This Water Conservation Plan considers joint measures and addresses coordination requirements as needed. In 2006, ELCO delivered 3,729 acre feet of water to 16,300 people. ELCO is experiencing a higher than average annual growth rate of 3.80/0 and projects a build-out population in 2030 of 47,000 people. The projected water demand is over 12,000 acre feet. ELCO is one of three water districts that share ownership of the Soldier Canyon Filter Plant (SCFP), a regional water treatment facility. ELCO is in a position to participate in other cooperative water system projects, which lowers the incremental cost for all participants through economies of scale. By participating in joint projects, however, ELCO often finds itself in a position of accommodating system upgrade schedules of others. Project schedules are opportunity based and many times are driven by the needs of other participants. Clear Water Solutions, Inc. East Larimer County Water District 2007 Water Conservation Plan