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<br />COLORADO SPRINGS UTILITIES' 2008-2012 WATER CONSERVATION PLAN <br /> <br />CONSERVATION GOALS <br /> <br />Colorado Springs has a long history of water conservation and efficient water use. In the 1940s, <br />the city was fully metered, long before metering became a standard practice in the industry. In <br />the 1960s, the city pioneered the use of treated wastewater for irrigation. In the 1990s, the <br />award-winning Xeriscape™ Demonstration Garden opened on Mesa Road. Conservation has <br />been an integral part of water resource planning and management for over sixty years. <br /> <br />The beauty of southern Colorado draws thousands of visitors and residents to Colorado Springs <br />every year. Simultaneously, Colorado Springs is home to five military bases, over 40,000 <br />military personnel and their families. Colorado Springs' economy is driven primarily by the <br />military, the high-tech industry and tourism. With such a dynamic population, a lasting <br />commitment to water conservation is imperative. <br /> <br />Role of Water Conservation <br /> <br />Water conservation plays a significant role in water supply planning. The 1996 Water Resource <br />Plan identified water conservation as one of four components to ensure a safe and reliable water <br />supply to the community. The other components of the plan included a major raw water delivery <br />system, existing system improvements and nonpotable water development. <br /> <br />Conservation is one strategy to meet the needs of a growing population in a semiarid region of <br />the western United States where increased competition for water resources is intensified by the <br />uncertainties of drought and global climate change. Water is not a local issue, but requires the <br />cooperation and collaboration of state and regional partners. <br /> <br />The importance of water conservation and efficient water use cannot be overstated. The impacts <br />are far-reaching, extending beyond the boundaries of each home and business, and long-lasting, <br />touching future generations in the community. <br /> <br />Benefits of Water Conservation <br /> <br />Springs Utilities educates and encourages customers to save water because "it's the right thing to <br />do" and because of resource, economic and community benefits. <br /> <br />Resource Conservation becomes increasingly important as the water system experiences a high <br />rate of population and demand growth. For every gallon of water saved, one less gallon of water <br />needs to be acquired, delivered, stored and treated. <br /> <br />Economic Conservation programs are analyzed for cost-effectiveness. If saving a gallon of <br />water costs less than providing a gallon of water, Springs Utilities may choose to augment water <br />supply plans with water conservation alternatives. <br /> <br />Community Customers have come to expect water conservation information from Springs <br />Utilities. Conservation helps customers lower their utility bills and helps preserve water for <br />future generations in the community. <br /> <br />11 <br />