Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District files renewable water plan.
Dear Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District Customer,
As you may know, Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District has identified the need for a reliable water source as the most important challenge facing our district’s future.
For more than 40 years, Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District has depended on Denver Basin aquifers--water-bearing geologic formations deep below the earth’s surface--for much of our water. These aquifers for decades have provided plenty of water, but now far too many communities are tapping them--and this resource simply will not last.
The Denver Post recently reported that permits continue to be issued to pump water out of the aquifers “despite data and near universal agreement that underground water levels are falling and the resource is being depleted.”
Woodmoor will not wait for the wells to run dry to act.
Our district is dedicated to providing a sustainable and reliable water resource to our current and future customers. This is a responsibility that the district’s board and staff take seriously, and one that has led us on a search for a dependable and renewable water source.
Recently, the district identified a potential water source and delivery system, and the board decided to pursue this water source. On Dec. 30, Woodmoor filed in Water Court an application for approval of a plan to move water upstream from the lower Arkansas River to the district service area via exchange through a system of storage facilities.
Throughout our search, the district utilizes four criteria to consider a potential water source. First is reliability. Our customers expect water to flow when the faucet turns on, and the district likewise must depend on the water being in place when needed. Second is independence, providing sole district control over how and when the water can be used. Third is sustainability, being able to depend on the water flowing from year to year. The final criteria is cost, acquiring and delivering the water must be appropriate for the district’s and our customers’ budgets.
The district’s plan when approved will allow us to meet our water demands for many years to come. This filing is an important step for the district, but there remains more work before Woodmoor ultimately changes the source of its water.
Throughout this process, it’s vital that we keep our customers and neighbors informed of our decisions and actions. Please be sure to visit our web site (www.woodmoorwater.com) for project updates and notices. And if you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact the district office.
Sincerely,
Jessie J. Shaffer
District Manager
FAQs about Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District’s Renewable Water Plan
What are the latest water planning decisions at Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District?
On December 30, Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District filed in Water Court an application for approval of a plan to move water upstream from the lower Arkansas River to the district service area via exchange through a system of storage facilities. The district’s plan when approved will allow us to meet our water demands for many years to come. It also will be expandable to allow Woodmoor to assist other districts with their water needs.
Why is Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District taking this action?
Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District is dedicated to providing a sustainable and reliable water resource to our current and future customers.
Has something specific happened recently to cause the district to take this step?
For more than 40 years, Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District has depended on Denver Basin aquifers for much of our water. Aquifers are water-bearing geologic formations deep below the earth’s surface. These aquifers have provided plenty of water, but Woodmoor believes that far too many communities are tapping them--and this resource simply will not last. Woodmoor will not wait for the wells to run dry to act.
What criteria does Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District use to identify a potential water source?
Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District uses the following four criteria when looking at a water source:
>> Reliability: Our customers expect water to flow when the faucet turns on, and the district likewise must depend on the water being in place when needed.
>> Independence: WWSD must have control over how and when any water source can be used.
>> Sustainability: WWSD must be able to depend on the water flowing from year to year.
>> Cost: Acquiring and delivering the water source must be appropriate for the district’s and our customers’ budgets.
Recently, a Pueblo Chieftain editorial labeled WWSD's exchange plan as illegal. Was this an accurate statement by the Chieftain?
The Chieftain's statement is not correct. The application filed by WWSD is consistent with all current legal requirements for an exchange plan. Unlike the other cases referred to in the editorial, WWSD's application is not speculative because WWSD customers are the end users of the water that will be available under the exchange plan.
Is WWSD looking for renewable and sustainable water sources from any other locations than southern Colorado?
Yes. WWSD recently signed a non-binding letter of interest to the Million Resource Conservation Group. The MSCG project is working to convey water from the Green River to Colorado customers along the Front Range both north and south of the Palmer Divide. If successful, the project could supply renewable water to WWSD.
Where can I get additional information about the district’s plans?
Information about the district’s current and future water search will be posted and updated on our web site at www.woodmoorwater.com. You can also contact our office at 719-488-2525 or e-mail.
|
