Even with the much-maligned Union Park reservoir apparently dead in the water, south metro Denver leaders say there are still many projects that could help the area stay afloat as it continues to grow.
Among the long-term fixes: a billion-dollar pipeline project that would deliver water from the Eastern Plains and also the Rueter-Hess Reservoir, which could hold up to 70,000 acre-feet of water.
The city of Parker has taken the lead on both projects and garnered praise from south metro water-watchers for being able to break political gridlock that has prevented many plans from moving forward.
“We are encouraging more partnerships be formed in the rest of the county like the Parker and Castle Rock partnership,” said Douglas County Commissioner Steve Boand.
“We’ve got to keep talking to our neighbors.”
Water talks in Douglas County will kick off in early November and run through December as local officials try to involve the public in coming up with ways to address their pressing supply needs.
Without a regional solution, current supplies are expected to nose-dive. Last year, the Geological Society of America estimated that aquifers supplying the south metro area are falling by as much as an inch a day.
Similarly, a 2003 regional study estimated that the growing south metro area needs to store an additional 13 billion gallons in new or existing reservoirs to ensure a steady supply through 2050.
While regional leaders identified 15 possible reservoir sites, they still must find the money to build one and secure the water to fill it.
Union Park, which was being pitched as a possible water source for the south metro area, would have been built near Gunnison had it found any political support.
Rueter-Hess is the only major reservoir under construction in the area.
Once built, it will serve customers of the Parker Water and Sanitation District.
“As with any big project, it could take between 10 to 20 years to get them off the ground,” said Pat Mulhern, a consultant to the South Metro Water Supply Authority.
“In the meantime, you look at each and see which could play out the best.”
Until funding is secured for new reservoir sites, short-term needs can be met through conservation, water reuse and paying farmers to take some land out of production, south metro water planners say.
State Rep. Ted Harvey, R-Highlands Ranch, said whatever plan the region embraces, it probably shouldn’t be born in the reaches of the legislature.
Earlier this year, Harvey’s bill to set up a regional board to oversee the delivery of water to Arapahoe and Douglas Counties was defeated.
Staff writer Kim McGuire can be reached at 303-820-12 or kmcguire@denverpost.com.
