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PUEBLO BOARD OF WATER WORKS WATER USE EFFICIENCY PLAN 1. INTRODUCTION I EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Efficient water use and the development of an abundant water supply have been priorities for the Pueblo Board of Water Works since the late 1950's. Before 1958 the City's water was provided by two separate water districts. One was located on the north side of the Arkansas River and the other one on the south side ofthe River. Both districts did a fair job of providing adequate water to their customers, but neither were prepared to handle the effects of a long drought period. Also, any sustained growth during the 1950's would have been difficult for either district to supply with water. After consolidation ofthe two districts in 1958, the new Pueblo Water Board began looking at ways to increase their water supply. Their primary interest was to protect the city of Pueblo against long periods of drought and to provide water for future residential and industrial growth. The new five-member Water Board spent much oftheir time in the development of Pueblo's long-term water supply. This process primarily involved the purchase of additional water rights to enhance their existing rights. Combined with the purchases of new water rights was the effort to enforce efficient use of Pueblo's water through the adoption of new water use efficiency programs. These programs are credited with large water savings and with providing Pueblo with an additional source of water. The mandatory metering of all of Pueblo's residential and industry water services provided all' additional 13,078 acre feet of water to the City's growing supply. Currently active programs, such as the installation of water-efficient fixtures and appliances, is expected to provide another 3,687 acre feet of water once these fixtures are in wide use throughout the City. Continued efforts to better manage irrigation in Pueblo's parks and open spaces is also showing signs of providing measurable amounts of water savings. In a recent study of seven Pueblo parks, new irrigation management practices have saved approximately 122 acre feet of water in a years time. As irrigation management in the Pueblo park system increases, the water savings will be even more significant. The Pueblo Parks and Recreation Department is to be commended for their efforts in the Park's Irrigation Management program. The water savings could not have been accomplished without their full cooperation. Other ongoing programs, such as the distribution system leak detection and repair and the educational programs designed to inform Pueblo's water customers about the subject of efficient use of their water will eventually provide Pueblo with even more water savings. In addition to the aforementioned programs, Pueblo's creation -1-