A little explanation about the decrease in your rates

Castle Rock Water has four services, water supply, drinking water, wastewater and stormwater. Each has its own funding and the rates for each are delineated on customers’ water statements. Rates in each of these divisions are being adjusted according to the analysis from the annual rates and fees study and the average residential customer should see a $9 decrease in the 2022 annual bill.

Castle Rock Water is set to increase water resources rates by 3% to help secure water for future supply and increase stormwater rates by 3% to safeguard the community erosion and flooding caused by urbanization. However, with no changes to water rates and a 5% decrease in wastewater rates, the average residential bill should be less than it was in 2021.

System development fees, the charges paid for by developers to tap into the system, are being increased by 40% to adjust for changes in current and future projects and account for additions to long-term water supply.

If you have questions about our rates, please feel free to call our billing department at 303-660-1373 and all customers are welcome to attend the monthly Water Commission meetings where rates, forecasting and projects are discussed.

Technology to help conserve water

More and more tools are coming out to help make the home more water efficient. There are faucet aerators, low-flow shower heads and ultra-high efficiency toilets that reduce the amount of water passing through the appliance without compromising performance. There are leak sensors, placed on the floor or wall near high water use appliances that can use physical sensors or acoustic technology to detect leaks. Whole home water monitoring systems also monitor for water usage and potential leaks in the home and can autonomously shut off water supply when unexpected flow events occur. Another cool tool, is the hot water recirculating system. This device is a pump placed at your water heater that, on a scheduled basis, pumps hot water through the water lines within the home. This keeps the lines warm at times when it is needed, like in the morning when getting ready for the day. Some systems indicate they can save 10% of the annual water usage by eliminating the need to run the shower (or other appliances) until the water gets to the best hot temp before using. Not to be confused with a tankless water heater that must heat water on demand. The recirculating system is programmed (or some figure out your hot water usage patterns on their own) and take the hot water from the water heater and push it through the lines within the whole house. This is ideal for larger homes and homes where the water heater is a long distance from the shower.

Castle Rock Water is more than water

As the Water Operations Supervisor, Kevin Moore, directs the operations of the water treatment plant by analyzing the data and making adjustments to instrumentation and processes, ensuring safe drinking water for the Town. With the top “A” state certification, Kevin is one of few qualified to run the state-of-the-art Plum Creek Water Purification Facility which has now been expanded with Advanced Treatment. Kevin was part of the pilot project and worked closely with the industry consultants in integrating these processes for water reuse. Kevin appreciates the on-going learning of new technologies in the water industry and relishes in teaching and training his staff. The water industry involves significant on-the-job training and Kevin considers the daily team collaboration for treatment optimization as the highlight of his job.

The Castle Rock Water people and the fundamental purpose of water, drive Kevin, who sees a long career at Castle Rock Water. His focus has always been on water even when most geology students were going into oil or mining. His college job as a lab chemist where water treatment facilities sent their water for testing, secured his future, in more ways than one. Kevin met his now-wife at that lab. He followed her from California to Colorado where she became a water resource manager for Castle Rock Water. So his wife ensures the Town has the water and Kevin ensures it is safe for our community. Castle Rock Water is happy to have this power couple!

We want to hear from you!

Have a question about water in Castle Rock? Send us your question via EMAIL. Answers will be include it in these monthly emails.