Large water providers from across the Colorado River basin recently announced a commitment to expand their existing efforts to conserve water, reduce demands and explore reuse and recycling of water supplies. This comes as the Colorado River experiences the worst drought on record and the western states that depend on that water wrestle with how to share the river’s dwindling supply.
Colorado Springs Utilities is among the providers in support of this commitment, which took the form of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and cover letter sent to Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Touton on Aug. 24. The MOU outlines five specific actions that the signers agree to take, including:
The last action puts things into perspective. The Colorado River supports 40 million people in seven states and Mexico. Yet, the Colorado River Basin has experienced persistent drought conditions for the past 23 years, with snowpack being above average in only five of those years. As a result, less and less water has flowed into the basin and down to Lakes Mead and Powell, which serve as the primary savings accounts for the basin states. Those lakes are now at critically low levels due to the growing imbalance between water supplies and demands.
Colorado Springs is heavily reliant on Colorado River water. We’ve imported water from across the Continental Divide since the 1950’s to supplement our local supply and support a growing city. Because imported water can be used over and over, we recycle and reuse those supplies, meaning that, today, Colorado River water makes up most of our community’s water supply.
Collaboration is the key to managing this shrinking water supply. The situation happening now was identified as a risk to our system years ago when we were developing our Sustainable Water Plan. Water managers throughout the West are realizing that Colorado River supply risks are developing sooner and more intensely than originally forecasted. In Colorado Springs, we plan to manage through this situation by diversifying our supply, increasing our storage (reservoirs) capacity, maximizing reuse and maintaining a robust conservation program, all of which are detailed in our long-term plan.
Since 2000, our customers have reduced their per capita water use by more than 40%. This is a great achievement, and something on which we can continue to build. These savings were due in large part to our community’s recognition of the semi-arid climate we live in and learning to live within the means that Mother Nature provides us on an annual basis.
Our 2022 Water Efficiency Plan, implemented earlier this year, outlines how we will achieve nearly 2,220 additional acre-feet of conservation savings over the next seven years. An acre-foot of water can support 3-4 Colorado Springs families for a year, so this represents meaningful savings that will help stretch our supplies. Over time, small savings build up. Ultimately, we plan to save 11,000-13,000 acre-feet of additional water by 2070 through conservation practices.
By offering our support to the MOU alongside other Front Range and basin providers, we are reaffirming our commitment to use water wisely and within the practical perimeters of our climate. We signed the cover letter with provisions of pending approval of the MOU by our governing board on some of its conditions.
In the meantime, we will continue to participate in statewide conversations regarding administration of the Colorado River, and support our customers with staff expertise, rebates and programs to help them make the most efficient use of water while maintaining vibrant, water-wise landscapes.