The Vital Role of Reuse in Modern Water Management: The Colorado Water Plan Opportunity Laura Belanger, P.E. Water Resources Engineer 2014 Water Reuse Workshop Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO August 14, 2014 Western Resource Advocates
Colorado’s Water Plan State’s first Water Plan Meet Colorado’s future water needs while supporting: healthy watersheds and environment, robust recreation and tourism economies, vibrant and sustainable cities, and viable and productive agriculture. Final draft to Governor in Dec 2015 2
Colorado and Population Growth East Slope Population Projections: 2010 Populations by Basin ~70% increase projected between 2010 and 2050 ~80% of water originates on West Slope ~80 of population lives on East Slope 3
Basin I mplementation Plans Being developed by Basin Roundtables BIPs to offer solutions to address water needs at the local level 4
Reuse as a Priority Gunnison BI P (draft): "Entities must first reuse all legally available reusable water supplies to the maximum extent possible prior to further development of Colorado River System water.“ Colorado BI P (draft): “the CBRT advocates that TMDs should be the last “tool” considered as a water supply solution, once the many and complex questions are addressed over hydrology, Compact curtailment rules, risk to existing water users, impacts to the environment and more - and once everything that can be done to conserve and reuse water has been undertaken." Yampa/ White BI P (draft): “Prior to undertaking development of a new trans-mountain diversion, the Front Range must first integrate all other water supply solutions including conservation, reuse…" 5
Reuse as a Priority South Platte/ Metro BI P (draft): “ Maintain leadership in conservation and reuse..." "Efficient use of the basin’s resources, through water reuse and conservation, is a critical component of meeting future water needs” “Metro utilities plan to push the practical limit of conservation and reuse.” Arkansas BI P (draft): "The unmet demands for both municipal and agriculture future demands will have to be met from better management of existing supplies including reuse …to the maximum potential…“ 6
South Platte/ Metro BI P I dentified Projects and Processes (I PPs) Yields 7
The South Platte/ Metro Supply Gap How much of this remaining gap can be met through additional reuse? 8
Water Plan and BI P Leadership Charting a Path Forward Reuse to the maximum extent – what is CO’s reuse potential? Quantify legally reusable supplies: Existing supplies including water owned but not yet used IPPs w/reusable supplies (transbasin, ag transfers, etc…) Consider all reuse options Evaluate NPR, IPR, DPR, exchanges, reuse to extinction Consider local and regional projects Identify legal, regulatory, technical and other hurdles – and begin/continue to work on fixes Remember we are planning for next 35+ years Recognize where technology and regulations are heading 9
Thank You Laura Belanger, P.E. Water Resources Engineer Western Resource Advocates 720-763-3718 laura@westernresources.org Learn more about Colorado‘s Water Plan and provide your input at: http://www.coloradowaterplan.com/ 10
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