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<br />Re5ervoir, Colorado's largest reservoir, This aquifer
<br />offers protection against extended droughts and a
<br />temporary water supply for rapidly growing
<br />municipalities until other supplies can be developed,
<br />In 1996, well owners pumped less than 2 percent of
<br />the amount allowed annually by statute from the
<br />aquifer,
<br />
<br />Challenges. Waterin the Denver Basin Aquifer
<br />is essentially nonrenewable, and well pumping can
<br />exceed the natural rate of recharge from rain and
<br />snow, which is often less than an inch per year. As
<br />the water level in an aquifer declines, well pumping
<br />becomes more costly, Some wells in the shallow
<br />edges of the Denver Basin Aquifer are already
<br />running out of water.
<br />
<br />The 'geology of nontributary aquifers is
<br />complex, and the relation between groundwater
<br />pumping and surface streams is a contentious issue,
<br />Water rights on an overlying surface stream may be
<br />impacted by declining aquifer levels, Currently, the
<br />State Engineer is studying the geology and pumping
<br />practices of the Denver Basin to detennine the
<br />impact of pumping on river water rights,
<br />Understanding the connection is important because
<br />the use of non tributary groundwater is projected to
<br />increase in the next decade, '
<br />
<br />Transfers of Agricultural Water Rights
<br />
<br />A water right is a private property interest that
<br />may be sold or transferred freely, provided that no
<br />other water right is injured. Currently, most of
<br />Colorado's water is owned and used by agricultural
<br />interests, The value of this water is steadily
<br />increasing as demand for municipal water increases.
<br />Selling a water right to a municipality may be the
<br />most profitable use of an agricultural water right.
<br />Because no new dams or diversion facilities are
<br />involved, agricultural transfers also may be one of
<br />the least expensive means for a municipality to
<br />obtain water.
<br />
<br />Challenges. Transferring a water right from a
<br />fann to a municipality may adversely affect a local
<br />farm economy, Already large tracts of agricultural
<br />
<br />, lands have been taken out of production to provide
<br />water to FrontRange municipalities, Farms that have
<br />sold their water right pay less property tax, employ
<br />fewer persons" and no longer purchase agricultural
<br />supplies from the local economy. Open space may
<br />i also disappear as agricultural lands are developed for
<br />housing,
<br />
<br />Reuse of Water
<br />
<br />The Metropolitan Denver area currently
<br />,generates approximately 80,000 acre, feet per year of
<br />,water that may be reused. Water reuse occurs when
<br />water that returns to a stream from municipal sewage
<br />treatment plants, agricultural nmoff, and other
<br />sources are captured and applied to another use such
<br />,as irrigation, For example, a municipality may
<br />capture the discharge from its sewage treatment
<br />plant, further treat it, and then use the water on a city
<br />golf course, Current technology can treat sewage
<br />Water to a level that satisfies federal drinking water
<br />standards, Only water that is introduced into a river
<br />basin from another basin or from nontributary
<br />groundwater may be reused,
<br />
<br />Challenges, The public is reluctant to drink
<br />Water that comes from a sewage treatment plant,
<br />~egardless of the, taste and. qualitY., Water reuse alsQ
<br />iemoves water from a stieam that would otherwise
<br />have been used by downstream users such as farmers
<br />and municipalities. Reduced stream flows also affect
<br />water quality because there is less water to dilute
<br />pollutants from other sources. Reduced stream flows
<br />also impact water dwelling plants and animals and
<br />limit boating, fishing and other recreation.
<br />
<br />Historically, local water supply decisions have
<br />been made by a community and its water provider.
<br />Due to geography, finances, and other factors, some
<br />c;ommunities have more supply options than others.
<br />For ,example, some communities do not overlie
<br />l)ontributary groundwater, A community's long-term
<br />~uccess depends upon its ability to anticipate its
<br />o/ater needs and carefully consider each available
<br />s'upply option,
<br />
<br />Room 029, State Capitol, Denver, COLORADO 80203-1784' (303) 866-3521' FAX, 866-3855' roD 866-3472
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