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<br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br /> <br />DRAFT 8/24/92, Page 29 <br /> <br />Investigations by the Corps of Engineers in conjunction with the Two Forks EIS <br />estimated the cost of water from a groundwater system at $385 to $440 per acre-foot of yield <br />(about 60% of the cost of Two Forks water). The cost estimate by the Corps was based upon <br />an annual yield of 77 ,800 acre-feet and did not consider the fmancial advantages of phased <br />implementation. <br /> <br />Issues to be addressed <br /> <br />1. Non-tributary groundwater has generally been considered to be a temporary source <br />of supply because of the finite nature of the resource. There are good reasons to <br />believe that limitations on the use of groundwater to dry years and development of <br />recharge projects could alleviate these concerns. <br /> <br />2. Cooperation of adjacent counties and municipalities is essential to protecting the <br />long term viability of this supply source. Over withdrawals, without recharge, <br />could substantially shorten the useful life of the aquifer. <br /> <br />3. Denver Water Department supply contracts with neighboring municipalities <br />generally prohibit the municipality from commingling water from other sources <br />with water supplied by Denver. The terms of these contracts would have to be <br />changed for implementation of a conjunctive use plan within the Denver service <br />area. <br /> <br />4. Development of non-tributary groundwater requires the securing of well permits <br />from the Colorado State Engineer and the adjudication of water rights. As aquifers <br />are drawn down, runoff from recharge areas, where formations containing the <br />aquifers come to the surface, can be reduced causing depletions in surface water <br />flows. Such depletions may require augmentation plans, however, this requirement <br />may be satisfied by return flows alone. <br /> <br />5. There is currently an apparant view that non-tributary groundwater should be used <br />only after all opportunities for surface water development have been exhausted. <br /> <br />b. Groundwater Recharge Opportunities <br /> <br />The City of Aurora has been the most progressive entity in the metro area to move <br />toward implementation of responsible plans for development and management of non-tributary <br />groundwater. Because of the finite nature of non-tributary groundwater, Aurora has been <br />investigating the possibilities for conjunctive use of surface and groundwaters, and has <br />approved city participation in studies to investigate the feasibility of recharging underground <br />reservoirs. The Denver Water Board also been studying recharge potential in the Arapahoe <br />Aquifer in cooperation with the Willows Water District. Currently there is no systematic or <br />metro-wide effort to assess groundwater development potential and long term management <br />issues. <br /> <br />Issues to be addressed <br /> <br />The feasibility and possible extent of recharge opportunities in the Denver basin aquafers <br />is currently being investigated by the City of Aurora and the Denver Water Department in <br />cooperation with the Willows Water District and the State Engineer. Issues being investigated <br />include alternative sources of water for recharge, water quality concerns, the cost and <br />maintenance requirements of recharge facilities and determination of which aquifer or aquifers <br />are most receptive to recharge. <br />