BOARD00860

• Board Meeting Date: 3/29/1999
• Description: Platte River Basin Issues - Metro Water Supply Investigation - MWSI Next Steps
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

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OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

STATE OF COLOAADO

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Department of Natural Resources
1313 Sherman Street. Room 718
Denver, Colorado 80203
Phone, (303) 866,3311
TDD, 13031 866-3543
Fa" [phone]

DEPARTMENT Of
NATURAL
RESOURCES

MEMORANDUM

TO:

Bill Owens
Governor

Colorado Water Conservation Board Members

FROM:

Greg E. Walcher
Executive Director

Doug Robotham

RE:

Agenda Item 10 - MWSI Next Steps

DATE:

March 26, 1999

Introduction

The final report of the Metropolitan Water Supply Investigation (MWSI) was delivered to
the CWCB by the Board's contractors, Hydrosphere Resource Associates, in January,
1999, The MWSI has been a five year technical evaluation of cooperative water supply
opportunities for the metro region and a continuing process of dialogue, mutual education,
joint inquiry, and collaboration among over 60 Front Range water providers and
representatives of other key stakeholders including environmental organizations,
agriculture, and Colorado' s West Slope,

The MWSI examined supply-side options involving the cooperative use, operation and/or
linkage of existing water systems in a manner that would enhance water yields, The
MWSI demonstrates that cooperative water supply options exist with respect to:

>- Conjunctive use of surface and groundwater involving the injection of surface water
into deep aquifers during wet years and withdrawal during dry years

>- Effluent management and reuse

>- Other system integration options involving linkage of collections and distribution
systems such as those serving the northwest metro area

Development ofInterruptible Supply Contr<1cts with fanners, mainly in northern Colorado,
but for a variety of reasons this option appe<1fs less promising at this time than the options
listed above.

Three sub-regional studies

As discussions among the MWSI participants developed, it became apparent that additional
studies focused on identified geographic regions within the metropoiitan area were
justified, The CWCB's contract with Hydrosphere was amended in September 1997 to

Board of Land Commissioners. Division of Minerals & Geology/Geological Survey
Oil & Gas Conservation Commission. Colorado State Parks _ Soil Conservation Board
Water Conservation Board. Division of Water Resources. Division of Wildlife

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