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Presented to
Rocky Mountain Land Use InstituteMarch 9, 2007
Presented to
Rocky Mountain Land Use InstituteMarch 9, 2007
Sin Agua, No Huy Vida(“Without Water, There is No Life”)
Sin Agua, No Huy Vida(“Without Water, There is No Life”)
Peter D Binney, P.E.Director, Aurora Water
Aurora, [email protected]
The “New West” Meets The “Old West”The “New West” Meets The “Old West”
How Do Existing Icons of the West Evolve?How Do Existing Icons of the West Evolve?
A QUANTUM CHANGE - “How Will Public Policy and Water Management Adapt to Increasing Populations, Economic
Well-Being, Water Scarcity, Sustaining Agriculture, Environmental Protection in the Coming Decades?”
A QUANTUM CHANGE - “How Will Public Policy and Water Management Adapt to Increasing Populations, Economic
Well-Being, Water Scarcity, Sustaining Agriculture, Environmental Protection in the Coming Decades?”
Areas of Substantial/ Highly Likely Water Supply Conflict - 2025
What is Causing The Water Crisis?What is Causing The Water Crisis?
Population growthUrban-centric economies versus agrarian economiesAllocation of water based on “first in time, first in right”Dedication of water to non-consumptive recreational and environmental protection usesA public policy forum for water resource management in a highly regulated, byzantine development cycleLittle unused water in hydrologic cycle requires a re-allocation of historic uses and demand patterns to meet future usesExisting infrastructure capacity is exceeded and has not developed with increasing demandsA presumption that clean, safe, affordable (cheap) water for human consumption is a right not a commodityFuture communities, land use planning and water governance will have to adapt to these realities
Colorado’s Population GrowthColorado’s Population Growth
0100000020000003000000400000050000006000000700000080000009000000
1860 1880 1900 1920 1940 1960 1980 2000 2020 2040
Urban Centric Growth
How Does Colorado Currently Use Water?- 90% Agriculture (mostly forage crops)- 4% Municipal (8% by Year 2030)
How Does Colorado Currently Use Water?- 90% Agriculture (mostly forage crops)- 4% Municipal (8% by Year 2030)
. .• Water Diverted• 3,300,000 AF – Corn Feed• 3,000,000 AF – Other Crops• 3,000,000 AF – Alfalfa Hay• 2,700,000 AF – Pastureland• 2,300,000 AF – Other Hay• 800,000 AF – All other diverters
including all cities and towns• 6,000,000 AF – Interstate Compacts
For Delivery to Downstream States
• Water Consumed• 1,270,000 AF – Corn Feed• 1,200,000 AF – Other Crops• 1,200,000 AF – Alfalfa Hay• 1,050,000 AF – Pastureland• 900,000 AF – Other Hay• 400,000 AF – All Other consumers
including all cities and towns• 0 AF – Interstate Compacts for
Delivery to Downstream States
Community PlanningIs Independent of Dependable WaterSupply Development
Community PlanningIs Independent of Dependable WaterSupply Development
1,530,000
560,000
310,000
4,500,000
510,000
1,780,000 320,000
110,000 400,000
164,000
YAMPAYAMPA
WHITEWHITE
COLORADOCOLORADO
GUNNISON
GUNNISONDOLORESDOLORES SAN JUAN
SAN JUAN
ARKANSASARKANSAS
SOUTH PLATTESOUTH PLATTE
N. N. PLATTEPLATTE
LARAMIELARAMIE
RIO GRANDERIO GRANDEWEST SLOPEWEST SLOPE
Population:467,000Irrigated Acres:880,000
EAST SLOPEEAST SLOPEPopulation:3,869,000Irrigated Acres:2,270,000
Evolving Municipal Demands Are Not in Water Abundant Areas
Evolving Municipal Demands Are Not in Water Abundant Areas
Denver Metro
Colorado Springs/Pueblo
Northern
Increased Municipal Water Demands (2030)Increased Municipal Water Demands (2030)
409,000 acre-feet
98,000 acre-feet
Droughts Limit The Amount of Water Available to Serve Our Communities
And Support the Environment
Droughts Limit The Amount of Water Available to Serve Our Communities
And Support the Environment
.
The Climate CassandraThe Climate Cassandra
Megadrought
Colorado River
Over-allocation
Dust Bowl
Spanish
Colonization
Lake Powell/ Lake Mead Will Be More Frequently Over-StressedLake Powell/ Lake Mead Will Be More Frequently Over-Stressed
Key Watersheds are DrierKey Watersheds are Drier
Historical Surface Water Supply Index, South Platte River Basin
- 4 . 0
- 3 . 0
- 2 . 0
- 1. 0
0 . 0
1. 0
2 . 0
3 . 0
4 . 0
5 . 0
Da t e
Historical Surface Water Supply Index, Colorado River Basin
-5.0
-4.0
-3.0
-2.0
-1.0
0.0
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
Da t e
Colorado River
South Platte River
1981 2007
Wet
Dry
Wet
Dry
How Do We Know Cities Need More Reliable Water Supplies? – They Drain Their ReservoirsHow Do We Know Cities Need More Reliable Water Supplies? – They Drain Their Reservoirs
Storage Capacity vs. Total Storage
20000
40000
60000
80000
100000
120000
140000
160000
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
Year
Acr
e-fe
et
Storage Capacity
Available Storage
Reservoir Contents
9 Months Left
Streams, Reservoirs Are Affected by DroughtStreams, Reservoirs Are Affected by Drought
South Platte, August 2002
Green Mountain
Reservoir,
July 2003
Communities Must Locate, Develop and Deliver New Sources of Water to
Provide a Reliable Level of Service for Current and Future Residents
and Businesses
Communities Must Locate, Develop and Deliver New Sources of Water to
Provide a Reliable Level of Service for Current and Future Residents
and Businesses.
DRY YEAR: Demand/Yield Comparison - CDP Portfolio
0.0
20.0
40.0
60.0
80.0
100.0
120.0
140.020
05
2008
2011
2014
2017
2020
2023
2026
2029
2032
2035
2038
2041
2044
2047
2050
Year
Acr
e Fe
et (1
,000
s)
Platteville ProjectPlatteville ExchangeBrighton Gravel LakesEagle River Hdwter Proj 1bPueblo Lease 1bPueblo Lease 1aEagle River Hdwter Proj 1aEast ReservoirSouth PlatteStorage YieldExisting Planning/Net Yieldgpcd Demand = 175gpcd Demand = 160gpcd Demand = 140
Aurora’s Integrated Water Resource PlanAurora’s Integrated Water Resource Plan
Alternative
Strategies
How Will Cities Acquire Needed Water Supplies?How Will Cities Acquire Needed Water Supplies?
Water ConservationUse Reclaimed Water For Parks / Golf CoursesRecapture Reusable Return FlowsAcquire and Transfer Water From Existing Agricultural Uses:
Lease During DroughtsPurchase and Dry-Up FarmlandsIncrease Agricultural Efficiency/ Transfer SavingsRotational Crop ManagementPurchase and Leaseback for Certain Times
Develop New Sources of Water From Trans-Basin DiversionsBuild Reservoirs and Pipes/ Treatment PlantsSystem Integration and Regional Efficiency
Adaptive Management Practices Balancing Demand Management and Supply ProjectsAdaptive Management Practices Balancing Demand Management and Supply Projects
2006 2010 2020 2030
•Wetter•Demand Management•Aquifer Mining•Over-drafting•Indirect Use•Ag Leasing/Interruptible Supplies
•Wetter•Demand Management•Aquifer Mining•Over-drafting•Planned Indirect Use /Maximization of Local Water•Ag Leasing/Interruptible
•Y2010 +•Small Trans-basin•Limited Ag Transfers•Public Benefit Multi-Purpose
•Y2020 +•One or Two Regional Trans-basin Projects•System Integration•Expanded Re-allocation of Ag Uses•Planned Indirect Potable Projects
Straw – Lite, Blue Mesa, Green Mountain, Arkansas Pumpback, S Platte Pumpback, Other Major Structural Project (?)
Water Conservation – The Bluegrass BankWater Conservation – The Bluegrass BankDaily Treatment
0.00
20.00
40.00
60.00
80.00
100.00
120.00
140.00
Jan 1
Feb 1
Mar 1 Apr 1
May 1
Jun 1
Jul 1
Aug 1
Sep 1
Oct 1
Nov 1
Dec 1
Date
Mill
ion
Gal
lons
per
Day
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
Demand Reduction
Water ReclamationWater Reclamation
Agricultural WaterAgricultural Water
Location of Agricultural Water Uses / Cities
1,003,500 Acres Irrigated Lands
2,545,500 Ac-Ft Irrigation Diversions
CBT Shares Are Being Converted From Agricultural to Municipal UsesCBT Shares Are Being Converted From Agricultural to Municipal Uses
Municipal
Agricultural
Agriculture-Municipal Interface Agriculture-Municipal Interface
OpportunityLeasing
ScheduledClosing
DripIrrigationSystems
Purchase/Lease Back
Efficiency
RotationalFallowing
DroughtLease
Purchase/ Dry Up
Options/Conservation
Easements
Aurora’s Farm-City ProgramsAurora’s Farm-City Programs
Purchase of Rocky Ford Ditch with re-vegetation, School Payments, Economic Development
Lake County Transfer/ Open Space Initiative
High Line Canal Interruptible Supply Program
Rocky Ford II Drip Irrigation Program
Lower South Platte Augmentation Water Program/ Integrated Operations –HB06-1124
Lower South Platte Lease Back program
2004 Success Story – Drip Irrigation2004 Success Story – Drip Irrigation
Aurora's Prairie Waters ProjectAurora's Prairie Waters Project
Sustainable Treatment – River Bank Filtration and Aquifer Recharge and RecoverySustainable Treatment – River Bank Filtration and Aquifer Recharge and Recovery
Aurora’s Existing Purification Facilities Developed for Mountain Water ResourcesAurora’s Existing Purification Facilities Developed for Mountain Water Resources
ChallengesTaste and Odor
Pathogens
Water Purification Processes Required To Provide Excellent Water Quality and Public AcceptanceWater Purification Processes Required To Provide Excellent Water Quality and Public Acceptance
Taste and Odor
Color
TDS
Nitrate
Pathogens
Organics
Micro-Pollutants
Challenges
What Does This Mean At Community Level?What Does This Mean At Community Level?
Can we continue to plan and construct communities in the same manner?No State or Federal funds available except as loansProjects will be capitalized at municipal level using water sales and tap fees. Other sources (State sales tax acceptable for public uses/ benefits of projects?)Era of cheap water and taps is passing for suburbs but how much can the customer/ market absorb? Are cities ready for $5.00 to $10.00 per 1000 gallon water and tap fees that could exceed $20,000 or $30,000 per household?Are City water users willing to accept frequent water restrictions for lawn watering?Is a reliable water supply necessary to sell a mortgage?How can local governments/ water districts effectively develop reliable water sources in today’s regulatory/ public policy setting when saying “no” is the defaultAre regional water systems politically acceptable?
What Does It Take To Get Traction?What Does It Take To Get Traction?
What is Colorado’s and The New West’s Future?
What is Colorado’s and The New West’s Future?
