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<br />COLORADO SPRINGS UTILITIES' 2008-2012 WATER CONSERVATION PLAN <br /> <br />multifamily, office, lodging, non-profit, restaurant, retail, national and other. Each segment <br />shares similar characteristics, although water use within a segment may differ dramatically. <br /> <br />Commercial and industrial use represent approximately 25 percent of total annual use in the <br />water service area. As such, Springs Utilities screened over fifty measures and programs for the <br />commercial and industrial marl(et and selected ten programs for implementation. The programs <br />specifically related to water-efficient processes include indoor and outdoor water use audits as <br />well as indoor and outdoor efficiency incentives. <br /> <br />Essentially, the programs will allow for flexibility so that customers can decide what end-use <br />technologies and processes are changed in their facilities and landscapes. The audits will be <br />customized for each facility and the efficiency incentives will pay "per gallon" of water saved. <br />Improvements might include water reuse and recycling, replacing plumbing fixtures and <br />converting high-water-use turf. Currently, Springs Utilities does not offer any programs of this <br />type for the commercial and industrial marl(et so this represents a significant opportunity. <br /> <br />4. Water reuse systems <br /> <br />In the early 1900's, Colorado Springs developed a municipal irrigation system that was supplied <br />by raw surface water from Monument Creel(. The system consisted of a series of reservoirs, <br />pipelines and canals that irrigated medians, open spaces, parl(s and residential lawns in <br />downtown Colorado Springs and the Old North End. This system, although modified over the <br />years, is still a major part of Colorado Springs' nonpotable system. <br /> <br />In 1961, Colorado Springs built a wastewater reclamation facility along with a nonpotable <br />distribution system and began delivering reclaimed water to parl(s, cemeteries, golf courses and <br />commercial properties for landscape irrigation. Reclaimed water is domestic wastewater that has <br />been through three levels of treatment, including filtration and disinfection. This system is one <br />of the oldest in the western United States. <br /> <br />Other stand-alone systems have subsequently been developed that use raw water and <br />groundwater supplies to irrigate several golf courses, including The Broadmoor and Kissing <br />Camels, other large turf areas and industrial water for cooling at the Nixon Power Plant. Springs <br />Utilities also provides the reusable water rights for stand-alone reclaimed water irrigation <br />systems at the Air Force Academy and Fort Carson Army Base. <br /> <br />In aggregate, Colorado Springs' nonpotable systems deliver more than 12,000 acre-feet per year <br />of water, accounting for approximately 13 percent of total water deliveries. Sources of <br />nonpotable water include reclaimed water, raw surface water and groundwater. The system <br />consists of pumping stations, storage reservoirs, holding ponds, transmission mains and two <br />wastewater reclamation facilities. <br /> <br />The 1996 Water Resource Plan identified nonpotable water development as one of four <br />components to ensure a safe and reliable water supply to the community. As such, nonpotable <br />water development will continue to playa critical role in water supply planning and <br />management. Nonpotable water development is described in more detail in both the Water <br />System Profile section and the Proposed Facilities section. <br /> <br />29 <br />