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WATER USE EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENTS: <br />A SOLUTION TO COLORADO'S URBAN WATER SUPPLY PROBLEMS <br />LAND AND WATER FUND OF THE ROCKIES' <br />Summary: <br />Colorado faces a serious_ drought and potential long -term water shortages. The drought <br />affects everyone from farmers to city dwellers to the river ecosystems upon which we all <br />rely. In theory, there are two basic solutions to our water problems: (1) stretch existing <br />supplies by water conservation and other "non - structural" water use efficiency measures <br />and (2) develop additional "structural supplies through more dams and additional trans - <br />mountain diversions. <br />This paper summarizes why the state of Colorado and its urban water providers should <br />focus on the efficiency solution. Best - management conservation practices and creative, <br />"non - structural" supply -side options will maximize the use of existing water supplies and <br />should be pursued much more aggressively before launching what could be a fruitless, <br />expensive and environmentally damaging program to develop more structural supplies. <br />The Problem: <br />We have read and heard about it for weeks. Fast - growing localities are facing emergency <br />measures in this time of drought. Cities across the state have increased the price their <br />residents pay for water, greatly restricted outdoor water and hired special officers to <br />enforce these restrictions. Examples can be found all across the state. <br />The City of Lafayette recently enacted an emergency drought ordinance placing a <br />moratorium on new taps, restricting outdoor irrigation to one day each week, doubling <br />water rates for the low -use block, and tripling rates for the high -use block. The towns of <br />Parachute and Silt, in western Colorado, were some of the first cities in the State to <br />impose restrictions on lawn watering. Violators in these towns face fines up to $1,000 <br />and misdemeanor charges that could earn water wasters up to a year in jail. The City of <br />Boulder has adopted mandatory water restrictions and hired six new security officers <br />1 Through its Smart Water Project, the Land and Water Fund is assessing urban water use efficiency in <br />Interior western states. This paper is based on this ongoing assessment. The paper was authored by Bruce <br />Driver, Executive Director, Land and Water Fund, and is based on writing and research by Bart Miller, <br />Land and Water Fund Water Program Director, and Eli Feldman, Smart Water Project researcher. <br />2 City of Lafayette Ordinance number 12 Series 2002, Amendment to Chapter 120 Article III. <br />3 Denver Post (May 17, 2002) <br />