Sterling 1996 WC Plan

• Project Type: Water Conservation Plan
• Project Name: City of Sterling Water Conservation Plan
• Title: Water Conservation Plan
• Date: 6/21/1996
• County: Logan
• Water Conservation - Doc Type: Complete Plan

I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
l
I
I
I
I

STERLING WATER CONSERVATION PLAN

MAY 28, 1996

CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION

Water conservation can be defined as activities designed to improve efficiency in use,
reduce losses and waste, and lower demand for water. The City of Sterling Public
Worns Department is responsible for providing enough water to meet customer needs
and for assuring an adequate, safe supply for generations to come. Water
conservation is an important part of Sterling's water supply planning.

The City of Sterling 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 develop and implement a water conservation plan. Plans are due to the
Colorado Water Conservation Board by July 1, 1996.

A Look at Sterling

The City of Sterling, Colorado is located 120 miles northeast of Denver in central Logan
County. Sterling sits in the plains east of the Rocky Mountains and the annual pre-
cipitation averages 14 inches. The South Platte River winds its way through Sterting.
Sterting's city limits encompass 5.38 square miles. A home-rule city, Sterting has a
councilfmanager form of government. The City Council has seven members including
the mayor whom is elected from the citizens. A City Manager, appointed by the City
Council, administers daily operations for the City.

Sterting's 1995 estimated population was 11,278, and is the commercial and retail hub
of northeastern Colorado. After experiencing steady growth during the 1970's due to
the oil and gas boom, Sterting's population and labor force declined during the 1980's.
However, since 1990, it has experienced steady growth due to the relocation and
expansion of several major businesses in the area. Larger growth is expected due to
the proposed "mega" prison facility in Sterling by the Colorado Department of
Corrections.

Public Works Department

Since 1904, the City of -Sterting Water Division has been delivering drinking water to
customers in and near Sterling. See Figure 1 for current City of Sterting service area
boundaries. Today, the W~tAr nivision is under tho Public 'Norks D6pSlblltml. Public
Worns includes water, wastewater, and stormwater utilities. The department has 38
full-time employees in seven divisions: Water, Sewer,' Wastewater, Streets, Sanitation,
Airport, and Engineering & Operations (Engineering, Building inspection, Planning &
Zoning).

The City's raw water supply includes tributary water from the South Platte River.
Sterling's water is chlorinated and meets standards set by state and federal regulations.
Over 85 miles of water transmission and distribution lines carry water to customers.
Wastewater receives primary and secondary treatment before being discharged into
the South Platte River or to a recharge site.

Water Conservation as a Component of Water Supply

The City of Sterting is committed to water conservation planning as a component of
water supply management. Water supply management will be very important for the

Page 5