Ft Morgan 1996 WC Plan - Laserfiche WebLink

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There are approximately 4,000 taps and 46 miles of water line in the system. Pipeline diameters range from 4 inches to 14 inches. In 1995, the City pumped a total of 3,845 acre-feet of water from the aquifer. Assuming a population of 10,000, the average per capita demand in 1995 was approximately 340 gallons/person/day, This figure indicates that the per capita water consumption in Fort Morgan is extremely high as compared to other cities in Colorado. For example, many cities along the Front Range in Colorado have a water consumption between 150 and 200 gallons/person/day. Durango, in western Colorado, has a water consumption of approximately 200 gallons/person/day, It should be noted, however, that the water consumption for Fort Morgan includes demands at the Excel Corporation beef plant which are slightly over 1,000,000 gallons/day. By removing the water demands at Excel from the City's total water consumption, the per capita water demand is approximately 260 gallons/person/day, which is still very high. Water Quality Since 1950, a deterioration in the City's water quality has occurred. As a result of the degradation in water quality, the City has conducted several water supply alternative studies during the past twenty-five years to identify high quality water supplies that could replace the City's existing supply. From these prior studies, development of the Colorado Big Thompson Project (C-BT) water appears to be the most feasible alternative for a high quality supply source. The City has already committed approximately $8 million for capacity in the Southern Water Supply Project. This investment includes the City of Fort Morgan's proportionate costs of the C-BT water pipeline from Carter Lake to near Platteville. The final components of the project from Platteville to Fort Morgan have not been approved by the citizens of Fort Morgan or the City Council. Benefits of Conservation Plan ~~---------- ----------- --~- The benefits of implementing a water conservation plan can be described in terms of benefits for: the water department, the environment and individual water users, Each is described in more detail below. . Water department. Efficient water use can benefit the Utility Department by reducing energy costs to treat and distribute water, reducing wastewater treatment costs as less wastewater will be produced, and can reduce capital improvement expenditures for new water supply facilities. In addition, the timing of new facilities can possibly be delayed by implementing a successful water conservation plan. 6