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

STERLING WATER CONSERVATION PLAN

MAY 28, 1996

Per Capita Water Use

The division of water sales (in million gallons per day) by the population served is re-
ferred to as per capita water use. The result is reported in gallons per person per day
(gped). Table 12 shows per capita domestic water use since 1990.

Table 12 - Per Capita Domestic Water Use

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 AVG
iAnnual wa1"er production 3.056 3.128 3.~0 3.467 4.TI5 4.342 3.536
Ava. dany "..oduct1on 2.7 2.8 2.8 .3.1 .3.7 .3.9 3.2
Population served 10.725 10,560 10.467 10.838 11.178 TI,628 10,899
Per caDH'a use 2S4A- 264.A- 2653 285.6 .328.6 .333A- 298.6

Annuol water production is in ocre-feet ~ Avg. doi", production is in miilion goilons per clay
Source: Sterling Land Use Plan, Sterling Public Worlcs Office

According to several published reports, per capita use typically ranges from 165 to 270
gped. Sterling's average per capita use since 1990 is 289 gped, which is on the upper
end of the scale. The increase in demand in 1994 can be attributed to the sale of water
to contractors during the reconstruction of the local 1-76 interchange. Also, a larger than
normal unaccounted-for water amount in 1995 was due to a large water line leak in the
South Platte River. Due to the fact that it was in the river bed, it was not noticed until
some time later.

Projected Growth

The recently completed Sterting AllIa Land Use Plan developed growth scenarios that
represented low, expected and high forecasts for job and population growth for the City
of Sterling and the surrounding area. For each scenario, population levels were
developed along with anticipated time frames suggesting the earliest time when such a
level could be attained. The high growth scenario is presented below, and will be used
for the purposes of this conservation plan. Included with the high groWth scenario is
the major assumptions and types of events under which that scenario is most likely to
occur.

The high growth scenario assumes currently planned activities will be implemented to_ _
~ -- - - - - - - - -- - -- their fullest extent and that there will be ongoing large scale economic development
successes. The prison facility will expand to accommodate 2,600 to 4,000 inmates and
1,000 to 1,500 employees. There will be major commercial development at the 1-76
interchanges such as an off-price retail center. Industrial recruitment and major
business expansions will add an average of 250 jobs per year. The rail corridor will
require an overpass or underpass to accommodate increased traffic volumes. New
residential subdivision west of the current city limits will be necessary. The expected
population level is 17,000 residents and 3,000 inmates.

Projected Average Daily Water Use

The land use plan also estimated that the additional domestic water consumption due
to the prison would be 156 gallons per inmate per day, Based upon that estimate, the
City should plan for an estimated average total daily water production of 5.4 mgd

Page38 .