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4. IDENTIFY CONSERVATIONGOALS <br />Water conservation can benefit the citizens of Fort Morgan by preserving water resources, <br />lowering long term water costs, reducing demand on the wastewater system, and extending the <br />life of existing facilities. Ongoing water conservation programs are distinguished from drought <br />related measures. Water conservation measures are those programs that are consistently <br />applied every year to reduce water demands or to increase supplies. These measures are <br />distinguished from drought restrictions that are special, more severe measures that are <br />implemented temporarily to avoid a true water shortage. <br />Water use has been reduced by the installation of meters and by the increased charges in water <br />rates since the implementation of the C-BT water system.Residentialwater use per capita has <br />been reduced by 31 percent since the 2003 drought due to lingering effects of the water <br />restrictions and tiered water rates that were in effect during that time. Since 2003, residents <br />have continued to practice water conservation measures in their homes. <br />The City has also reduced water use by implementing relatively inexpensive water savings <br />measures such as public education, low-flow fixture requirements, landscaping regulations for <br />new construction, and leak audits. In the case of an individual family, this might mean turning <br />off the water while brushing one’s teeth, using a hose nozzle when washing the car and limiting <br />outdoor watering. For that same family to achieve greater savings, it might be necessary for <br />them to purchase more efficient appliancesor re-landscape using native plants. These <br />reductionswould come at a significant cost to the family or to the City if it offered rebates. Thus, <br />once waste is reduced, other savings are likely to involve structural changes that are more <br />7 <br />costly. Subsequent conservation measures produce incrementally less savings at greater cost. <br />Challenges <br />In 2003 when water consumption dropped due to watering restrictions, revenue in the water <br />enterprise fell sharply. The loss of revenue affected the ability of the enterprise to pay monies <br />due on bonds etc. Revenue decreased that year $734,046 from the previous year – a 6.4% <br />decrease.Revenue the year following was also down by .91% due to continued water <br />conservation by customers. <br />7 <br /> Water Supplies and Demands for Participants in the Northern Integrated Supply Project, Harvey Economics, March <br />30, 2006, Page 24. <br />City of Fort Morgan Water Conservation PlanPage 28 <br />