Breckenridge 2004WCPlan

• Project Type: Water Conservation Plan
• Project Name: Town of Breckenridge Water Conservation Plan
• Title: Water Conservation Plan
• Date: 4/26/2004
• County: Summit
• Water Conservation - Doc Type: Complete Plan

is beginning to look at more efficient irrigation systems for its new or
replaced systems.

Cost Benefit: The Town's Xeriscape River project probably cost at least
$100,000. It saves the Town water and demonstrates efficient plants. The
Golf Course water savings expense reduces the water diverted from the
Swan River, and reduces costs for pumping and labor. The other code
incentives save water and costs for the Town and the customer.

3. Water efficient industrial and commercial processes

Tap fees for self-service car washes utilizing a recirculating system are
one half the tap fees of the non-recirculating type.

Cost Benefit: No cost to the Town. There is continuous water saving and
reduced cost for the customer if the recirculating option is chosen.

4. Water re-use systems

There are some water re-use systems for non-potable systems in or near
The Town. The Breckenridge Sanitation District reclamation facility in
Town was built upstream of the Colorado Water Conservation Board
minimum stream flow gauge to enhance stream flows during the winter in
the reach of the river downstream of Town. It uses its non-potable effluent
for landscape irrigation around the administration building. Eighty per-
cent of the snowmaking water for the Ski Area returns to the river as snow
melt in the spring and can be claimed for a second use as an augmentation
source for storing water in reservoirs for the ensuing snowmaking season.
A pump back at the Tarn reservoir is used to save water from going
downstream to optimize storage in the reservoir in the winter after
snowmaking releases. There is some discussion about a pump back to
maintain minimum flows in the river in the downtown area.

Cost Benefit: Many thousands of dollars have been spent for these
measures, which make the use of raw water more efficient and can
maintain or enhance stream flow.

5. Distribution system leak repair

The Town has a low percentage of unaccounted for water loss (8%).
Water losses in the past 25 years have been as high as 20% to 25%. To
maintain the integrity of the system the Town has conducted regular
periodic leak detection surveys by professional consultants since 1978.
Either the Town or the customer promptly repairs leaks that are identified.
Also, the Town is replacing some of its older water mains and customers
often replace old service lines. The Town continues to conduct periodic