Ft Lupton 1996 WCPlan

• Project Type: Water Conservation Plan
• Project Name: City of Fort Lupton Water Conservation Plan
• Title: Water Conservation Water Use Efficiency Plan
• Date: 7/18/1996
• County: Weld
• Water Conservation - Doc Type: Complete Plan

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which the City produced 161.6 million gallons. Obviously, the City supplies more
water during the spring and summer months as a result of lawn irrigation than during
the fall and winter months. It is important to keep in mind that the City supplies the
Thermo Cogeneration Power Plant (Thermo) with water. Thermo is the City's largest
water user. Thermo supplies the Public Service Company of Colorado (PSCo) with
peaking power. For the next 33 years, the City is contractually obligated to supply
Thermo with up to 2.66 mgd of water. This customer will, therefore, always be a
heavy water demand on Fort Lupton's system. The City will continue to supply
Thermo with low quality groundwater, even after the new surface water system begins
operation in the City.

6. Existing Water Conservation Techniques
For the past three years, the City has implemented three primary conservation
practices: metering, mandatory water restrictions, and public education.
a. Metering. The primary reason Fort Lupton's historic per capita water
production has been so high is that City customers were never metered and paid a
relatively low flat rate for water. There was never any incentive for conservation.
Last year, the City completed its City-wide metering program, whereby all water
customers will be metered. The City spent more than $1,000,000 in implementing
this system. Sewer bills will be based on average wintertime water consumption. The
City intends to begin billing its customers on a metered basis in January 1997. The
City expects a significant decrease in water use in the City once metered rates go into
effect.
b. Mandatory Outdoor Watering Restrictions. During the summer months,
the City implements mandatory outside watering restrictions. Demand had become
. I so high during th~ h~t s~mmer months th.at the water system could no~ keep up with
. - - - - - -. - -- - -the-peaks.--BegtIllllflg"1It'May-and-lasting thlOugh adobe", the-eny- enfurces--<r n
program that allows residents to irrigate their lawns every other day. Watering
schedules are determined by geographical area. The restrictions are strictly enforced
by code enforcement officers the City hires during the summer. Violators are warned
and ticketed when found watering on their undesignated days. The City does make
exceptions for residents with new lawns. Permits can be obtained from the City to
irrigate new lawns more often than the every other day requirement.

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{25325.IOO; OSM1961

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