Westminster 1996 WC Plan

• Project Type: Water Conservation Plan
• Project Name: Westminster
• Title: Water Conservation Plan
• Date: 10/18/1996
• County: Adams
• Water Conservation - Doc Type: Complete Plan

I. INTRODUCTION

Water Use Efficiency planning, commonly termed water conservation, is a vital
component of the City of Westminster's integrated resources water supply
planning that looks at water demand management in addition to 'increasing water
supplies. The City of Westminster has implemented comprehensive water
conservation measures since 1976, when it was one of the first municipalities to:

. Implement an increasing block rate water conservation pricing structure
for residential water users.

. Modify the Municipal Building Code to require low water plumbing fixtures
in all new development.

In addition, since 1976, the City has implemented a series of additional water
conservation measures which will be detailed in later sections. '

II. BENEFITS

Water conservation is one component of Westminster's Integrated Resources
approach to meeting future water demand. Water conservation as a demand
management strategy can serve the same purpose as acquiring additional water
resources. Benefits that have been realized and will continue to be realized
through the City's water conservation efforts include:

. Efficient water use reduces water demand and thus the need to acquire
or develop costly additional water supplies.

. Efficient water use reduces the need to finance and construct costly
water and wastewater treatment facilities with resulting savings in
. . infrastructure costs.

. Lower water and wastewater usage results in savings to water customers
through lower water, sewer and energy bills.

. Efficient water use results in less need for water diversions from streams
and lakes, minimizing potential adverse environmental impacts.

There are also potential adverse impacts from water conservation that must be
accounted for to ensure that the City's water utility remains on a sound operating
and financial basis:

.

A delay in the construction of water supplies required for service area
buildout may result as the result of water savings from water
conservation. Since. water supplies are scarce, delays in acquiring

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