Laserfiche WebLink
<br />. <br /> <br />Memorandum <br />Appointed Legislator and Water conservation Board <br />October 18. 1988 <br /> <br />WATER EFFICIENCY PROGRAM COMPONENTS <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />The first step in considering whether there should be <br />additional water conservation policies and activities in <br />Colorado is to determine what goal or goals are to be <br />achieved. It appears that water conservation is most often <br />suggested for two reasons. First is the more efficient use of <br />existing supplies so as to decrease or postpone the need for <br />capital investment in expansion of storage and delivery <br />systems. Future use is provided for by a combination of <br />structural and nonstructural measures directed toward managing <br />both the supply of and demand for water. <br /> <br />The second is the more efficient use of existing supplies <br />so as to reduce conflicts over future use of both developed and <br />undeveloped water sources. Those include purchase of <br />agricultural supplies for conversion to municipal or industrial <br />use. thereby diminishing supplies for irrigated agriculture. <br />Transmountain diversions are increasingly controversial. and a <br />common criticism is that water is wasted in the Front Range <br />while west slope supplies are di~inished to sustain the waste; <br />Presumably. such conflict could be alleviated to at least some <br />extent through a water efficiency goal. <br /> <br />If the state decides to have water efficiency goals and <br />policies. they can be achieved through the following approaches. <br /> <br />1. Regulation and standards. At least fifteen states have <br />a plumbing code. Colorado does not. Equipment and devices <br />which do not require significant changes in lifestyles are <br />available to reduce water use. While replacement of existing <br />equipment is probably economicallY prohibitive. Colorado could <br />consider a code which applies to new construction and to <br />replacements and repairs. Other elements in this area include <br />rate (pricing) structure. outdoor use standards. and universal <br />metering. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />2. Incentives. Since domestic and commercial water supply <br />is largely a function of local entities. the state may want to <br />consider incentives along with or instead of direct <br />regulations. Some states require water conservation plans <br />before providing financial assistance or before permits are <br />approved. <br /> <br />3. Technical and Educational Programs. Some states make <br />technical and planning assistance available. PUblic <br />information and education efforts are also common functions <br />performed directly by state agencies. Preparation of a drought <br /> <br />-3- <br />