Water Efficiency Master Plan

Water Efficiency Master Plan survey

As with most plan redevelopment, Castle Rock Water asked for input in September and October 2022 from customers for the 2022 WEMP plan update, and the online survey received 133 respondents. The results of this survey were compared with a similar survey conducted in 2015 and the statistically significant surveys conducted bi-annually by the Town of Castle Rock.

• An overwhelming majority of respondents practice indoor conservation efforts.
• Almost 75% did say they monitor for overspray and water waste.
• Regarding advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) and real-time access to water usage, 30% would look at this information daily/frequently and make adjustments and 56% would look at it periodically to keep track of usage or leaks.
• Two-thirds of respondents support the ban on front yard turf for new development and those that opposed were primarily concerned about aesthetics.
• 2022 respondents tended to engage more in indoor and outdoor conservation efforts than 2016 respondents.
• While 72% of respondents from 2022 had heard of the Water Conservation website, similar to 2016 percentages, there was a 10% dip in percentage of people who visited the website. Yet, the Town's survey indicated 82% felt more education is warranted.
• Comments generally were in support of more stringent conservation efforts:
  • Easier programs to help residents to remove turf and create a ColoradoScape
  • Require builders to install low-flow faucets, instant water heaters, etc.
  • Annual irrigation checks for non-residential customers
  • Enforce home owner associations (HOAs) to practice conservation
  • More aggressive structured fee scheme. Pay a lot more for watering grass after reaching low cost limit.
  • Real time monitoring and alerts (text/email) when there's a spike
  • Stop rapid development

Conservation is a water supply

Castle Rock Water has seen a water savings of more than 20% since establishing a mix of conservation programs and we thank our community for their support in attaining this remarkable achievement.

Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) through the Office of Water Conservation and Drought Planning requires that water providers with total demand of 2,000 acre-feet per year (AF/yr) or more develop and implement plans that encourage customers to use water efficiently. The plan will cover the steps taken and an estimate of the amount of water that has been saved. The plan should be updated at least every seven years. Castle Rock Water's 2015 Water Efficiency Master Plan (PDF) (WEMP) is being updated in 2022.

The WEMP outlines how conservation is a viable method to extend water supply. Conservation is one avenue in water supply and the Water Resources Strategic Master Plan (PDF) addresses additional long-term water supply sources. The WEMP focuses on demand-side activities, such as education, rates, rebates, audits and regulations. This plan also solidifies the Town's commitment to efficient water use and conservation. Other plans that address conservation include the Water Use Management Plan (PDF) and the Drought Management Plan (PDF).

Effective management of the community's resources is good environmental and financial stewardship. Continuing to be a leader in conservation and efficiency has the potential to save the customers and community tens of millions of dollars in renewable water investments over the next thirty years. For instance, 18% conservation could save the community approximately $56 million to over $72 million in future investments.

Considerations:

• The Town has a population of 78,000 in 2022, and is consistent with the projected timeline of coming from 56,600 in 2015 to doubling by 2055.
• The Town has 300 days of sunshine, receives less than 15 inches of precipitation each year and is in a high mountain, semi-arid environment.
• The Town's water supply and demand forecasting model projects a demand of 15,400 acre-feet to serve a population of 105,200 people in 2050. If the community can conserve 18% of that future demand, the demand will decrease by 1,610 acre-feet.
• Soon after implementation of the 2006 Water Conservation Master Plan, the Town decreased its water consumption from 165 gallons per capita daily (GPCD) to 135 GPCD. The current 5-year average consumption rate is 118 GPCD with a goal of 100 GPCD by 2055.
• In 2017, 87% of the Town's water was pumped from the deep groundwater wells; in 2021, 33% was from renewable water sources, including indirect potable reuse. The goal is to reach 75% or more by 2050.
• The overall primary water users are residential accounts, using 68% of demand. However, individual high water use accounts include public parks, HOAs and one large commercial facility.
• Almost half of the 3.2 billion gallons of water consumed each year (2021 statistic) in Castle Rock goes toward outdoor irrigation.