Dillon Reservoir Water for Breck?

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F Summit Daily News for Breckenridge, Keystone, Copper and Frisco Colorado - News Page 2 of 3 pipes from the river below the streamflow gauge at the Could car - shari work in Brec Blue River inlet at the reservoir up to its wastewater 0 CDOT formalizes memorials treatment plant at the base of Iowa Hill. 0 Group endorses smoking ban The wastewater treatment plant at the corner of Swan Mountain Road and Highway 9 releases 4.5 cfs of effluent into Dillon Reservoir. The town has water rights to an additional 12.5 cfs more and, in the past, has used it to further dilute the effluent flowing into the lake. By taking that 12.5 cfs and the 4.5 cfs of effluent and pumping it back to Iowa Hill, the effluent would be further diluted and the water would again return to the reservoir, fulfilling the requirement to provide Denver Water with all the water to which it is legally entitled. The issue came to the attention of wastewater treatment officials in the past few years when residents have put their homes on sanitary sewer systems but remained on wells. Prior to that, the septic systems would replenish the water table, but with water now being diverted to waste treatment plants via the sewer systems, many wells are going dry. "Water is a major issue when we have people in Lakeview Meadows where one house has a dry well and the neighbor is watering their lawn because they bought water rights," Carlberg said. More water for the river The project would pump water up to the Iowa Hill plant - and could be extended to the confluence of French Creek and the Blue River or even Sawmill Reservoir near Four O'clock Road or the Maggie Pond at the Village at Breckenridge. All would put more water in the river, potentially providing better recreational activities and keeping water in the stream year- round. Additionally, Carlberg noted, the town could use that water to fill a reservoir it hopes to build on a parcel of land north of Coyne Valley Road north of town. One of the next steps, Carlberg said, is to determine how to control the water so it doesn't provide free water to other water right holders, such as the Vidler water company. "This would legalize their full augmentation plan," Carlberg said. "They'd sit back and say, 'Thank you.' But there are ways to control it." Town officials also would like to work with the Board of County Commissioners to help it with its water augmentation plan in the Upper Blue Basin. A project this large always comes with a price tag - this one is estimated to be about $8 million. The town could apply for a loan with the Colorado Water and Power Authority - the same entity that gave the town and county the OK to issue bonds, if needed, for the B &B Mines land. The town is already on their waiting list in case the town decides to proceed with the project. Grants are available, as well, and customers who opt to hook up to the water or sanitation system could also be charged to help recoup costs. Jane Stebbins can be reached at (970) 668 -3998, ext. 228, or at jstebbins@summitdaily.com http : / /www. summitdaily. com /app s /pbcs. dll/article ?AID= /20041003 /NEWS/ 11003 0007 &te... 10/4/2004