BOARD02534

• Board Meeting Date: 1/27/1999
• Description: 1999 Colorado Legislative Activities - HB 99-1054 - Repeal of Sunset Dates of the Office of Water Conservation
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

Progress Report 1991 - 1998
. Office of Water Conservation
Colorado Water Conservation Board

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Overview

House Bill 91-1154 was passed in 1991 as collaborative
effort among members of the water, agricultural and
environmental communities to address water efficiency needs of
the state, The bill established the Office of Water Conservation
(OWe) within the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB)
to oversee a program which would act as a clearing house for
water use efficiency information, provide technical assistance to
and work with water providers, coordinate planning and
implementation of state agency water use efficiency plans,
administrate financial assistance from the CWCB Construction
Fund in the amount of $1,000,000 for demonstration and pilot
projects concerning water use efficiency, and provide information
to the legislature on the efficient use of the state's water supplies.

Water use efficiency can bring about permanent water use
reductions, reduce demands during emergencies and help manage
. peak water use demands, This in turn can avoid the need for
expensive construction or upgrading of wastewater treatment
plants and drinking water supply plants,

Highlights of the program include:

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Establishment of an information clearinghouse.
Administration of grants for 27 municipal water efficiency
demonstration projects ($500,000 through HB 91-1154),
Development of water use efficiency plans for
construction and renovation of state facilities,
Technical assistance to water providers and state agencies
for initiation of water efficiency measures (62 water
providers) ,
Administration of agricultural/multipurpose grant program
($500,000 - 7 projects through SB 92-87)
Water audit of Governor's mansion,
Developed numerous public information and education
efforts regarding efficient use of water resources,
Developed numerous partnerships concerning water use
efficiency and information,

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, Duties of the OWC
include:

Acting as a repository for
water use efficiency
information;

Providing technical
assistance to municipal
and other urban water
providers and state
agencies concerning
water efficiency
measures;

Coordinates planning in
the implementation of
water use efficiency plans
for state agencies;

Administration of
financial assistance for
water use efficiency
programs