Print
E-mail
Comment
As aquifers shrink, prices rise
Douglas County residents should prepare for a skyrocket in water prices over the next 15-20 years as water levels in area aquifers continue to decline.
By By: Jennifer Simonson
Douglas County residents should prepare for a skyrocket in water prices over the next 15-20 years as water levels in area aquifers continue to decline.
The water level in the Arapahoe Aquifer, the main aquifer from which Douglas County residents get their water, is dropping at a rapid rate, water consultant John Halepaska said Friday to a group of county water and government officials.
In 15 years, well production from the aquifer will likely drop in half, by 20 years that production could drop to a third of what is produced today, he said.
As the well water decreases, so does the artesian pressure that pushes the water up through the well. The loss of artesian pressure equates to a loss in well production.
Water districts will be forced to build more wells that produce less water. The capital costs of building those wells will fall on the water customers, Halepaska said.
"It's already happening," said Parker Water and Sanitation District Manager Frank Jaeger. "Wells are producing less so we are adding more wells, but we have to come up with the money to build those wells."
The Parker Water and Sanitation Board is preparing for another rate increase after its wells lost production in 2002, Jaeger said.
In August 2001, the district had nine wells producing 6,780 gallons per minute. During the summer, the drought dried up four of those wells. The remaining wells produced 2,695 gallons per minute in August.
Large water projects such as the proposed Rueter-Hess Reservoir are a tool in water management, Jaeger said. The reservoir will be able to capture and store water in wet years that would otherwise run downstream and will act as a storage facility for dry years.
More water storage facilities are needed to help Colorado's over reliance on ground water, Jaeger said.
Jaeger suggested that Douglas County Reps. Mike May, Ted Harvey and Tom Wiens make water a top priority in the Legislature and address the need for renewable water supplies and water storage facilities.
The water level in the Arapahoe Aquifer, the main aquifer from which Douglas County residents get their water, is dropping at a rapid rate, water consultant John Halepaska said Friday to a group of county water and government officials.
In 15 years, well production from the aquifer will likely drop in half, by 20 years that production could drop to a third of what is produced today, he said.
As the well water decreases, so does the artesian pressure that pushes the water up through the well. The loss of artesian pressure equates to a loss in well production.
Water districts will be forced to build more wells that produce less water. The capital costs of building those wells will fall on the water customers, Halepaska said.
"It's already happening," said Parker Water and Sanitation District Manager Frank Jaeger. "Wells are producing less so we are adding more wells, but we have to come up with the money to build those wells."
The Parker Water and Sanitation Board is preparing for another rate increase after its wells lost production in 2002, Jaeger said.
In August 2001, the district had nine wells producing 6,780 gallons per minute. During the summer, the drought dried up four of those wells. The remaining wells produced 2,695 gallons per minute in August.
Large water projects such as the proposed Rueter-Hess Reservoir are a tool in water management, Jaeger said. The reservoir will be able to capture and store water in wet years that would otherwise run downstream and will act as a storage facility for dry years.
More water storage facilities are needed to help Colorado's over reliance on ground water, Jaeger said.
Jaeger suggested that Douglas County Reps. Mike May, Ted Harvey and Tom Wiens make water a top priority in the Legislature and address the need for renewable water supplies and water storage facilities.
Submit a Comment
|
You must be logged in to post a comment.
|
Not yet a registered member?
Click here to become one. |
