PUB00028

• Year: 1999
• Title: Metropolitan Water Supply Investigation Final Report
• CWCB Section: Interstate & Federal
• Author: Rozaklis and Weaver
• Description: Investigation to explore cooperative solutions to future metropolitan Denver area water supply needs to minimize conflicts
• Publications - Doc Type: Brochure

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Metropolitan Water Supply Investigation

MWSI Results

3. MWSI Results

3.1. BASIN-WIDE OVERVIEW

Throughout the MWSI process, a variety of information was collected from water
providers in the metro Denver area. This included maps of service areas, estimates of
existing and future service area populations, levels of water use, major facilities, water
supply sources and reusable water supplies. This information was used as input to
several investigations conducted as part of the MWSI. Similar information was collected
on municipal water use in the remainder of the South Platte Basin as part of the Denver
Basin and South Platte River Basin Technical Study (the Senate Bill 96-74 Study).
Information related to West Slope issues and concerns was also collected.

Taken together, this information provides a useful overview of the municipal water
supply situation in the South Platte Basin and a contextual basis for understanding
cooperative actions, their advantages and disadvantages. Several aspects of this compiled
information are presented in the following sections. With respect to future populations
and water demands, the MWSI did not attempt to project or reconcile future water
demands on a local or regional level. Information presented on future population, water
use, and water supply plans are simply that supplied by individual water providers and
the State of Colorado.

3.1.1. Water Supply Service Area Regions

When considering the municipal water supply needs of the metro Denver area of
Colorado, it is useful to think in terms of three water supply service area regions as
shown in Figure I below, each characterized by its geography, its history and its unique
set of water supply circumstances and opportunities.

3.1.1.1. Central Service Area Region

This region consists of Adams, Clear Creek, Denver, Gilpin, Jefferson and Park Counties,
and that portion of Arapahoe County served by Aurora. The region includes the
following water providers: Denver Water (including 76 fully dependent contract
providers within its combined service area), Aurora, Thornton, Westminster, Arvada,
Consolidated Mutual Water Company, Englewood, Northglenn, South Adams County
Water & Sanitation District, Golden, Coors, Public Service Company, Brighton and
several minor water providers within the upper South Platte, upper Clear Creek and upper
B ear Creek basins.

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Prepared for the Colorado Water Conservation Board, Colorado Department of NaturaJ Resources by
Hydrosphere Resource Consultants, 1002 Walnut Street, Suite 200, Boulder, CO 80302