2 0 0 7 A n n u A l R e p o R t

SOUTH METRO WATER SUPPLY AUTHORITY

L e t t e r f r o m t h e P r e s i d e n t

Water is a sensitive issue in Colorado. Our state has grown

by 13 percent since 2000 and is home to nearly five million

people.* The South Metro Water Supply Authority (SMWSA)

serves a population of nearly 320,000 residents, along with a

wide spectrum of non-residential customers in Douglas and

Arapahoe Counties. SMWSA was formed in 2004 when 13 individual water providers

recognized the need for one regional water-planning entity.

Communities in Douglas and Arapahoe Counties have limited local surface water supplies. The rejection of the

Two Forks Dam project in 1990 has resulted in the south-metro area’s reliance on available surface and

groundwater resources. However, the groundwater supplies are nonrenewable and reliance on groundwater

alone is not a long-term solution.

Local providers must be responsible stewards of existing groundwater. To provide a secure water supply into the

future, the area must migrate from groundwater use to alternate, and more sustainable, water supplies. Thus,

SMWSA’s 13 providers are working collaboratively to foster long-term reliable water supplies through water

acquisition and development of infrastructure. The Authority speaks with one voice to address water challenges

and to develop strategies for permanent renewable water sources.

In 2007, SMWSA made great strides to position itself as a major water entity. The Authority further established

itself as the region’s leader in water development and distribution, and streamlined water management and supply-

planning methods. SMWSA also funded and directed a regional water master plan that outlines the transition from

groundwater supplies to sustainable and more economical surface sources. Available at www.SouthMetroWater.org,

the 128-page master plan represents a collaborative and comprehensive effort of all 13 members to acquire

long-term sustainable water supplies now and into the future. The master plan is among the organization’s

most recognized and vital achievements of the year, and is the most tangible step in ensuring the water future of

Douglas and Arapahoe Counties.

continued

With the roadmap to achieve reliable sources

complete, SMWSA will focus on implementing the

strategic initiatives highlighted in the master plan in 2008.

These components include:

• Acquiring water rights;

• Finalizing negotiations with East Cherry Creek Valley Water and Sanitation District (ECCV)

regarding pipeline capacity and easements;

• Purchasing storage in Rueter-Hess Reservoir;

• Continued implementation of water conservation and reuse efforts;

• Exploring partnerships with other water agencies for sharing existing and planned infrastructure;

• Implementing mid-term supply sources; and

• Tracking and participating in long-term regional water supply alternatives.

Even though our immediate water needs are being met, SMWSA water providers are at a critical juncture in our

water history. Because groundwater is a finite resource, it’s critical to plan for the future now so we can ensure the

availability of this precious resource and the continued economic viability of our communities.

There are no easy answers, but SMWSA is undertaking long-term water planning efforts and the Authority

is dedicated to continuing its unified approach to water development and implementation to deliver

concrete solutions. Your support of our efforts is important, and together, we can successfully serve the

south-metro area’s water needs.

Sincerely,

Charles Krogh

SMWSA President

L e t t e r f r o m t h e P r e s i d e n t

s m W s A W e L c o m e s t W o f u L L - t i m e e m P L o y e e s

To keep pace with SMWSA’s growth, the organization hired a new executive director

and water resource specialist. The staff provides technical expertise and specialized services

to support SMWSA initiatives and members. The Authority also leased office space located

at 8400 East Prentice Avenue, Suite 1500 in Englewood, Colo.

Rod Kuharich has more than 35 years of water and utilities

experience. He is well known within the industry for his development and

implementation of statewide water-policy initiatives. Kuharich worked as

a state representative and chairman for the Arkansas River Compact

Commission, the Colorado River Salinity Control Forum and the Salinity

Control Advisory Council. He served as a state representative for the

Upper Colorado River Compact Commission, the Glen Canyon Adaptive

Management Work Group and the Western States Water Council, in

which he was also a member of the management committee.

Kuharich, SMWSA executive director

Britta Strother is responsible for SMWSA’s administrative

duties along with water resource analysis. Strother has a master’s degree

in resource law studies from the University of Denver Sturm College of

Law and a bachelor’s degree in international political economy from the

University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Wash. She has comprehensive

and up-to-date knowledge of Colorado water law and policies that

serves SMWSA well.

Strother, SMWSA water resource specialist

P R o T E C T I n G o U R W A T E R F U T U R E

In June, SMWSA released a regional water master plan that when implemented,

will provide a permanent and economical solution to reduce the south metro

area’s dependency on ground water while expanding the role of renewable water

supplies. Aligned with the master plans of Douglas and Arapahoe Counties, the

master plan is a roadmap to maximize the use of existing infrastructure, partner

with other water entities for new water sources, lease or acquire water rights and

establish structural projects for a more sustainable supply.

Highlighting sustainable water options for future regional water supply

needs, SMWSA’s master plan received local and state recognition. SMWSA

and its engineering consultant, CDM, won an Engineering Excellence

Merit Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies of

Colorado, and SMWSA was also awarded the outstanding Contribution

to Economic Development award from the Southeast Business Partnership.

D E n V E R W A T E R P I L o T P R o J E C T

SMWSA and Denver Water are working cooperatively to promote water

conservation and efficiency and test the feasibility of a future operations

agreement between the two water entities via a pilot project that will exist

through 2011. The pilot project builds on a study SMWSA’s predecessor,

the South Metro Water Supply Study Board, conducted with the Colorado

River Water Conservation District and Denver Water in 2004 and

is another step toward regional cooperation.

R U R A L - U R B A n W A T E R M o D E L S T U D Y

Parker Water & Sanitation District and Colorado State University, with

funding from SMWSA, are teaming up to conduct a major study on ways

to sustain irrigated agriculture while meeting increasing water demands.

The results of the three-year, $1 million-plus project will be used in both

agricultural and urban water policy development.

2 0 0 7 A c h i e V e m e n t s

Z L D P I L o T S T U D Y

ECCV is conducting a zero-liquid discharge pilot study scheduled for the spring and summer of 2008. Funded by

a Colorado Water Conservation Board grant and SMWSA, the pilot program uses reverse osmosis to treat water to

remove hardness and total dissolved solids while minimizing the amount of concentrate that needs to be discharged.

Results of the study will be used to address the best way to treat the concentrate waste stream from reverse-osmosis

treatment and will benefit other Front Range water providers that need this level of treatment.

R U E T E R - H E S S R E S E R V o I R E x P A n S I o n

SMWSA member Parker Water & Sanitation District is leading area water providers in the expansion of the

Rueter-Hess Reservoir. once complete, the reservoir will provide 72,000 acre-feet of water storage capacity.

E C C V n o R T H E R n P R o J E C T

SMWSA is negotiating with ECCV to acquire excess capacity in its northern pipeline. This pipeline is an

important component to supply water directly to Reuter-Hess Reservoir and SMWSA members.

C H A T F I E L D R E S E R V o I R R E A L L o C A T I o n

& R E T U R n F L o W R E C o V E R Y P L A n

SMWSA is participating in the reallocation of Chatfield Reservoir, which

will provide approximately 10,000 acre-feet of additional storage to

SMWSA members. Several SMWSA providers are also developing plans

and designs for diverting return flows from Plum Creek at Chatfield Reser-

voir. This water source will be treated and delivered to Castle Rock, Castle

Pines north Metropolitan District and Castle Pines Metropolitan District

through Centennial Water & Sanitation District’s existing infrastructure.

A q U I F E R S T o R A G E & R E C o V E R Y

Centennial Water & Sanitation District celebrates 15 years of successfully

injecting potable water into the Denver Basin aquifers, making it avail-

able for future production and helping to sustain aquifer water levels. This

management program is a significant management tool for implementing a

conjunctive-use program and expanded regional cooperation.

S o U T H P L A T T E R E S E R V o I R

In 2007, the 6,400-acre-foot South Platte Reservoir was constructed as a

component of a long-term plan that will help capture yields from many

existing rights in Chatfield Reservoir and other surface sources. The

reservoir can hold surface water and return flows, delivered through

Chatfield Reservoir outlets, to supply SMWSA providers.

SMWSA is committed to conserving, protecting and

managing Colorado’s water resources through its sister organiza-

tion, the Douglas County Water Resource Authority (DCWRA).

As an active member of the DCWRA, SMWSA is involved in

water education and conservation.

SMWSA’s members are also leaders in water-conservation planning. Select “green” water achievements include:

• x E R I S C A P I n G ™ D V D – SMWSA and the DCWRA, among other organizations, mailed an

informational xeriscaping DVD to all Douglas and Arapahoe County homeowners. Recognized publicly by

Governor Bill Ritter, the DVD informs and encourages residents to switch from traditional bluegrass landscaping

to a xeriscape landscape. nearly all of the recipients felt that the DVD promoted conservation awareness, while

more than 75 percent said they planned to incorporate DVD-recommended water-conservation techniques.

• W A T E R C o n S E R V A T I o n P L A n n I n G - Castle Pines north Metropolitan District, the

Town of Castle Rock and the Arapahoe County Water & Wastewater Authority were among the state’s first water

providers to have its water conservation plans approved by the State of Colorado under the Water Conservation

Law of 2004. Castle Pines north reduced its total water usage by more than 100 gallons per capita per day,

while Castle Rock’s conservation measures resulted in a savings of 55 gallons per capita per day.

W A t e r c o n s e r V A t i o n

S M W S A M E M B E R S I n C L U D E :

• Arapahoe County Water & Wastewater Authority, 303-790-4830

• Castle Pines Metropolitan District, 303-688-8330

• Castle Pines north Metropolitan District, 303-688-8550

• Centennial Water & Sanitation District, 303-791-0430

• Cottonwood Water & Sanitation District, 303-792- 9509

• East Cherry Creek Valley Water & Sanitation District, 303-693-3800

• Inverness Water & Sanitation District, 303-649-9857

• Meridian Metropolitan District, 303-790-0345

• Parker Water & Sanitation District, 303-841-4627

• Pinery Water & Wastewater District, 303-841-2797

• Roxborough Park Metropolitan District, 303-979-7286

• Stonegate Village Metropolitan District, 303-779-4525

• Town of Castle Rock, 720-733-6000

* Population growth statistics are attributed to Colorado’s Statewide Water

Supply Initiative Report.

SOUTH METRO WATER SUPPLY AUTHORITY

SouthMetroWater.org

8400 East Prentice Avenue Suite 1500 Greenwood Village, Co 80111 p 303 409 7747 f 303 409 7748