To: Members of the Castle Rock Water Commission
From: Mark Marlowe, P.E., Director of Castle Rock Water
Matt Benak, P.E., Water Resources Manager
Rick Schultz, Water Efficiency Supervisor
Title
A Resolution Approving the 2023 Water Efficiency Master Plan [Entire Castle Rock Service Area]
Town Council Agenda Date: March 7, 2023
Body
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Executive Summary
The purpose of this staff report is to seek Town Council approval by Resolution (see Attachment A) of the 2023 Water Efficiency Master Plan (WEMP).
Since the 2015 WEMP update, numerous conservation goals have been completed. These include:
• Water Budget Rate Structure changes;
• Public Right-of-Way and Town park landscape and irrigation retrofits. Retrofit areas include the Metzler Park ball fields, the Public Works Service Center, Centennial Park tennis courts, and Butterfield Park;
• ColoradoScape Retrofit Program expanded to non-residential customers with an increase in residential retrofits as well;
• Indoor conservation incentive program;
• Changes to Town Code allowing the use of graywater for toilet flushing;
• New residential landscape and irrigation fees for building permits;
• Water Wiser designation expiration and online course renewal;
• Complete removal of mono-culture Kentucky Bluegrass on new construction or renovations.
With the 2023 WEMP, new goals will be established. Some of these goals include:
• Implementation of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI);
• Implementation of an Ordinance and program to include a ColoradoScape design with no turf grass allowed in front yards and a maximum of 500 square feet of turf grass in back yards for new single family residential construction permitted on or after January 1, 2023;
• Relocation and expansion of the Ray Waterman demonstration garden;
• Continued evaluation of alternative turf types;
• Implementation of 0.80 gallon per flush toilets required for all new construction;
• Expansion of irrigation criteria to include master valves and flow sensors for all new residential construction.
History of Past Town Council, Boards & Commissions, or Other Discussions
In June 1996, the Town of Castle Rock adopted a water conservation plan that set water conservation goals for the community. In December 2006, the Town of Castle Rock adopted the 2006 Water Conservation Master Plan, which was subsequently updated in 2015 as the Water Efficiency Master Plan.
On July 21, 2015, Town Council approved the Water Efficiency Master Plan Update.
Castle Rock Water conducted an online survey in 2022. A summary of survey results is available at <https://crgov.com/3425/Water-Efficiency-Master-Plan> and included as Attachment B.
Notification and Outreach Efforts
Castle Rock Water held an open house on September 21, 2022 at Plum Creek Water Purification Facility. There were an estimated 500 residents in attendance. A high-level summary of the WEMP was available and the survey was promoted. Conservation Staff reached out directly to Planning, Public Works, and Parks & Recreation. Management for all three departments indicated it would not be necessary to present the WEMP to their commissions.
Discussion
The Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB), through the Office of Water Conservation and Drought Planning, requires that water providers with total demands of 2,000 acre-feet per year (AF/yr) or more develop and implement plans that encourage customers to use water efficiently. In December 2006, the Town of Castle Rock adopted the 2006 Water Conservation Master Plan, which was subsequently updated in 2015 as the Water Efficiency Master Plan. Numerous factors require the plan to be updated, including CWCB’s efforts in developing and implementing the Colorado Water Plan, the Town’s projected population growth and the need for securing a sustainable renewable water supply for the future. Furthermore, advancements in technology and a significant increase of residential and non-residential accounts helps to drive some of the changes in conservation goals and new programs.
Staff plans to submit a final draft of the WEMP to the CWCB by April 2023. Comments received from The State will be incorporated into the final plan.
Budget Impact
By implementing the various planned conservation initiatives, there will be an impact to the water conservation budget, however, specific costs have not yet been determined. Budget adjustments will be presented to Council or made administratively as appropriate before the conservation initiatives are implemented.
Staff Recommendation
CRW staff recommend that Town Council approve the 2023 Water Efficiency Master Plan.
Proposed Motion
“I move to recommend to Town Council approval of the Resolution as presented”
Attachments
Attachment A: Resolution (Not Attached)
Exhibit 1: Water Efficiency Master Plan (Not Attached)
Attachment B: Survey Results