Loveland 1996 WC Plan

• Project Type: Water Conservation Plan
• Project Name: City of Loveland Water Conservation Plan
• Title: Water Conservation Plan
• Date: 5/1/1996
• County: Larimer
• Water Conservation - Doc Type: Complete Plan

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Section 1

INTRODUCTION

Water conservation can be defined as activities designed to improve efficiency in use, re-
duce losses and waste, and lower demand for water. The City of Loveland Water and Power
Department is responsible for providing enough water to meet customer needs and for assur-
ing an adequate, safe supply for generations to come, Water conservation is an important part
of Loveland's water supply planning.

The City of Loveland developed this Water Conservation Plan to provide a guideline for
future conservation activities. The State of Colorado Water Conservation Act of 1991, House
Bill 91-1154, requires any entity supplying more than 2,000 acre-feet of water annually to de-
velop and implement a water conservation plan. Plans are due to the Stateby July I, 1996.

A Look at Loveland

The City of Loveland, Colorado is 50 miles north of Denver in southeastern Larimer
County. Loveland sits in the plains east of the Rocky Mountains and the annual precipitation
averages 14 inches, The Big Thompson River winds its way through Loveland before reach-
ing the South Platte River to the east. Loveland's city limits encompass 23.5 square miles.
Loveland has a council/manager form of government. The City Council has nine members
and elects the mayor from among themselves. A City Manager, appointed by the City Coun-
cil, administers daily operations for the City.

With a population oTmore than 43,000, Loveland is Colorado's thirteenth largest city.
Loveland is growing, with 5 percent growth in 1994 and 3 percent in 1995. An average
growth rate of 2.5 percent is projected until the year 2000, when Loveland's population
could reach 48,500. The average family income is $35,111. Approximately 50 percent of the
population over 25 has had some college education, with 19 percent having four or more
years of college. The economy of Loveland is anchored in manufacturing, publishing, gov-
ernment, trade and the arts.

Water and Power Department

Water from the Big Thompson River meant life to the early settlers. Water provided the
foundation for Loveland to grow and flourish. Since 1887, the City of Loveland Water Util-
ity has been delivering drinking water to customers in and near Loveland. See the map on
page 4 for the current City of Loveland service area boundaries. Today, the Water Utility is
housed in the Water and Power Department, following a merger ofthe Water/Wastewater
and Light and Power Departments in 1993. Water and Power includes water ,wastewater,
stonnwater and electric utilities. The department has 145 full-time employees in three divi-
sions: BusinesslFinance, Water Utilities and Power Operations. Annual revenues for the four
utilities are close to $40 million.

May 1996

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Water Conservation Plan