Our region is going to need a renewable water supply system. While we’ve not built this type of system before, the Bureau of Reclamation has built these types of water systems throughout the American West.
If 2005, DCWRA began [exploring] if and how the Bureau of Reclamation’s Rural Water Supply Program might be applied to water supply issues facing the Douglas County region. This Reclamation program provides planning assistance, and the opportunity for loan guarantees to fund construction of water supply solutions.
In 2010, DCWRA completed an Appraisal level study that was published in the Federal Register as exemplary, and was given permission to proceed to Feasibility level investigation. With support of the Colorado Water Conservation Board, in June, 2013 a study was completed that depicts water supply planning efforts in the outlying areas of the Douglas County region.
Combined with the S. Metro Water Supply Authority’s Master Plan, these studies detail water supply issues facing the region, and how these issues can be addressed to provide for long-term water supply solutions for the region.
Cover Letter of URS Feasibility Level Report 758k pdf
URS Feasibility Level Full Report 43,600k pdf
Summary page printed below:
Elbert County Commissioners are correct to follow Douglas County’s lead here.