Solutions for a Reliable Water Supply

What is the answer to this mounting challenge? There are several opportunities related to purchasing renewable resources on the South Platte, Arkansas or Colorado rivers. Such buys are feasible but the cost is high because, in addition to purchasing the water rights, the District must launch major capital projects to construct pipelines and pump stations to transport the water to Parker. These kinds of capital costs are already being incurred by neighboring water districts, including constructing pipelines 30 miles long or more that will consume millions of dollars.

PWSD has also purchased consumptive water rights by buying 12 farms outside the District in Logan County that could supply as many as 9,000 acre feet of water (An acre foot supplies two average sized families for a year). The good news is that these assets are generating District revenues until the water might be needed. The PWSD’s foresight in obtaining “senior” water rights here will give Parker residents priority over other uses when the time comes. The District views this option as a last resort insurance policy.

Delivery of water from the Colorado River would bear the same infrastructure cost but would be less expensive to treat. The District is also looking at obtaining water from Flaming Gorge on the Green River, the largest source of water to the Colorado River. We have also obtained permission to study this option from the Colorado Division of Natural Resources and the Wyoming Water Commission and the Bureau of Reclamation. With this option, 400 miles of pipeline would create significant capital costs and would require partnerships with other agencies.