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4.5. ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES <br />No Action Alternative <br />Without the Canterbury Tunnel supply, the District's remaining source of supply consists <br />of direct flow and storage diversions from Evans Gulch and groundwater provided from <br />the Arkansas Wells. Such a scenario puts the District at risk with respect to water <br />quality, water supply, and property damage. <br />As previously described, the temperature of these sources is relatively cold during the <br />winter months and freezing of mains and taps is a constant problem. Under the No <br />Action Alternative it is expected that these problems will continue to occur resulting in <br />significant risk and expense to the District and its customers. It has been typical to have <br />at least one frozen main per winter since the Canterbury supply has been unavailable. <br />Repair of frozen mains increases the risk of contamination within the distribution system <br />and makes the District susceptible to a possible "boil order" from the Colorado <br />Department of Public Health and Environment. <br />With Evans Gulch as its primary source of supply the District is at risk of failing to meet <br />demands in the winter and during peak use periods in the summer. During the winter <br />months surFace flow in Evans Gulch is minimal and the District relies on supplemental <br />flows from the Arkansas Wells and storage in its Evans Gulch Reservoirs. An additional <br />demand on the system occurs as customers and the District run water on a constant <br />basis to prevent frozen taps and frozen mains. When this occurs in combination with a <br />late-season spring runoff, the District could potentially diminish its entire storage supply <br />and fail to meet demand with its groundwater and minimal surFace flow sources. Such a <br />scenario is a significant concern and is currently occurring. The District has at least 100 <br />taps being run on a constant basis and over half of its storage supply has been <br />diminished, with reservoir levels continuing to fall. Similar scenarios have also occurred <br />during peak-use days in summer months of below average precipitation when the <br />Canterbury Tunnel was not operable to provide a supplemental source of supply. <br />Frozen taps also create risks. Because most taps are buried at least six feet, the only <br />practical means of thawing the main is through the use of a welder attempting to heat <br />and thaw the tap. This practice is known to potentially cause electrical damage or <br />_� W. W. Wh¢ster ond Assoclotas, Inc. 5/19/2010 Final <br />-- 1 Woter Resourcas Eaginsars Page 14 <br />