PROJ00159

• Contract/PO #: C153305
• Contractor Name: Dolores Water Conservancy District
• Water District: 0
• County: Dolores
• Bill Number: XB 99-999
• Loan Projects - Doc Type: Feasibility Study

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CHAPTER V
PLAN OF DEVELOPMENT

A.

PHYSICAL PLAN:

Several communities and water companies within the study area own and operate

domestic water supply facilities. Others, like Summit Ridge, are potential

customers for project water. The larger communities have individual plants and

pipe distribution systems, while outlying rural users obtain drinking water from

rural service entities like the Montezuma Water Company. Water supply is gener-

ally obtained from the Dolores River basin. However, some water in the San Juan

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basin may be appropriated for the Ute Mountain and Southern Ute Indians.~

EXISTING SYSTEM COMPONENTS

City of Cortez:

Raw water for the city is diverted out of the Dolores River and conveyed in the

Main Canal #1 and East Lateral which are facilities of the Montezuma Valley

Irrigation Company. A 12-inch steel pipe transports the water approximately 3

more miles to a 24 million gallon (design volume) storage reservoir. With a capacity

of 5.5 million gallons per day, and deteriorating under the effects of corrosion

attack, the l2-inch conduit represents one of the weakest links in the system.

Aquatic growth and stagnant areas within the reservoir contribute to taste and

odor problems during much of the year. Some remedial work is necessary to

correct this situation.

The Cortez treatment facility is located on a 20-acre site northeast of the city.

It provides coagulation, rapid sand filtration, and disinfection of the stored

raw water supply. Upgrading of the plant in 1977 by conversion of half the sand

filters to mixed-media beds increased its capacity to 6.0 MGD. Although replacement

of the media in the remaining three beds would further increase filtration capa-

city, piping within the plant is inadequate to handle the larger hydraulic load.

In addition, the clarifier is undersized and functions primarily as a chemical

contact basin for alum addition and pre-chlorination.

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