waterwise The The official official publication publication of of Colorado Colorado WaterWise WaterWise
The Voice of the Colorado Water Conservation Community
www.coloradowaterwise.org
In this issue... Colorado WaterWise call for Case Studies Water Education page 4
Pg. 3 Colorado Water Establishing Live Like You Love It! Benchmarks
for CII Water Use page 7 Pg. 9 Interview with Ray Tschillard
Terminating Turf page 9
Pg. 13 Water Efficiency Workshop ColoradoWaterWise.org
Pg. 14 Interview with Gary Klein
Summer 2017
s r o t i d e e h t From
For many years the water conservation department was the stepchild of water utilities. After all, utilities were in the business of selling water, not saving it. It has taken many years, but with burgeoning growth, particularly along the Front Range, unpredictable precipitation and finite resources, water conservation is taking its place, front and center. Those working in water conservation have always known that education is an important component in understanding the importance of using this resource wisely. Read how ALCC has teamed up with Falcon High School teachers to prepare students for careers in landscaping using industry Best Management Practices. These students will have new drought tolerant plant species available to them such as Dog Tuff™ grass or information on the benefits provided by soil amendments. Agrium is incentivizing high school students with cash awards to answer the question, “What can I do to improve my watershed?” and put their plan into action. The Center for Resource Conservation worked with the City of Lafayette to develop an incentive program to reduce large turf areas and replace them with xeric material or permeable hardscape. Students are not the only ones furthering their education. Water conservation specialists continue to learn using tools such as WaterWise Lunch ‘n Learns and the water Regulation Guide Smart Phone App. Please meet Nancy Koch, Water Resources Manager for the Little Thompson Water District and read about the impact that she believes policy will have on water conservation. The Legislative Watch provides updates to the various bills brought before the legislature this year – those that were successful and those that weren’t – and the impact those bills will have on water conservation for years to come. Colorado WaterWise would like to appeal to you, our readers, to provide us with case studies that exemplify water conservation Best Practices that we can share with our members. Most of us learn best by doing and we can help each other by sharing what worked, what didn’t and why.
Ruth Quade Leslie Martien Darren Nowels Colorado WaterWise Ongoing Meetings Second Thursday of each month - 10 a.m. to noon
WaterWise is the official publication of Colorado WaterWise and is published four times a year (Mar, Jun, Sep, and Dec). Articles are due one month before the newsletter comes out. Officers: Co-chairs: Amelia Nuding-Western Resource Advocates & Frank KinderColorado Springs Utilities Co-secretaries: Diana Denwood-Aurora Water & Lindsey Bashline-Loveland Utilities Co-treasurers: Lyndsey Lucia-Northern Water & Renee Davis-Fort Collins Board Members: The officers above and Laura WingCity of Thornton; Becky Fedak-Brendle Group, Alyssa Quinn-Platte Canyon, Ruth Quade-Greeley; Darren NowlesCenter for ReSource Conservation; Rose Marie Clouse-City of Fountain; Kurt DeLucero-ALCC & Becky Hammond; ALCC. Newsletter Committee: Editors, Leslie Martien, Ruth Quade, Natalie Stevens (designer) & Darren Nowels. For advertising sales or to submit a story: Ruth Quade, 970-3509874, ruth.quade@greeleygov.com. WaterWise articles may be reproduced in other publications with credit given to the author and Colorado WaterWise. The viewpoints of the authors are not necessarily those of the Colorado WaterWise. This newsletter is intended to spark dialogue about various issues concerning water resources and conservation in Colorado. Any advertisement of or reference to a product or service is not intended as an endorsement.
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WHAT’S NEW WITH COLORADO WATERWISE? By Amelia Nuding, Colorado WaterWise 2017 has already been a busy year for Colorado WaterWise. In the first quarter Colorado WaterWise welcomed new board and staff members, and then got busy revising our Strategic Plan and adopting the 2017 Action Plan, both of which can be viewed here in full: coloradowaterwise.org/StrategicPlan. Colorado WaterWise is focusing on the programs our members care most about! • We started a new program called “Member Currents” which is a brief presentation about new and exciting conservation programs. This is a regularly occurring segment of our board meetings, usually the first half hour, designed to benefit our members and to help keep them current with the business of conservation. • We hosted one Lunch ‘n Learn, which included a presentation by Rachio, and we plan to have two more Lunch ‘n Learns this year. • We started a Monthly Update email to keep our community more informed about upcoming events, jobs and what Colorado WaterWise is up to. • Colorado WaterWise is hosting our first webinar on May 17th about the Water Efficiency Rating Index for new homes, developed by RESNET. • Our award winning Live Like You Love It water education campaign will feature new promotional avenues and new content this year, including an on-line shopping cart so you can order great swag like branded cups, tee-shirts and more. • And we provided comments to Colorado’s U.S. Senators and Representatives regarding the continued support of EPA’s WaterSense program. As you can see, we’re dedicated to continuing the programs that are already popular, as well as adding new programs that help us achieve our mission of advancing water conservation by connecting stakeholders, creating tools, collaborating with partners, contributing to conservation policy, and communicating conservation to the Colorado community. We always welcome member feedback, and we hope to connect with you at one of our events soon!
CWW NEW & RENEWING MEMBERS
Water Utility - Large
Water Utility - Medium Castle Rock
Live Like You Love It Partners
Water Utility - Small
City of Cortez Little Thompson Water District
Basic Membership (Non-Utility) Brendle Group
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COLORADO WATERWISE CALLS FOR CASE STUDIES Colorado WaterWise is seeking conservation case studies. We are compiling case studies that exemplify water conservation best practices (BP), based on the Guidebook of Best Practices. Case studies are available to members only and are designed to assist water providers of all sizes in developing effective water conservation programs that deliver real demand reductions among existing customers and ensure new customers join the system with efficiency already built in. A number of you have already submitted excellent examples; thank you. We welcome additional submissions of similar or different studies which we will publish in future newsletters. Your experience helps all of us and we appreciate all the lessons learned, both positive and negative. If you are submitting a case study, please include: 1. 2. 3. 4.
Study, program, project or ordinance title Contact info (name, organization, email) Describe the study or ordinance in 2-3 sentences and please reference which BP(s) it fits. A summary of the BP in PDF format (lower resolution desired) and associated files including photos, graphics charts, etc. 5. File(s) named as you would like to see them on the website 6. Submit to admin@coloradowaterwise.org Case study topics: BP1: Metering, Rates, Tap Fees, Billing System BP2. Integrated Resources Planning BP3: System Water Loss Control BP4: Conservation Coordinator BP5: Water Waste Ordinance BP6: Public Information and Education BP7: Landscape Water Budgets BP8: Rules for Landscape Design BP9: Landscape Design, Installation, Maintenance. BP10: Irrigation Efficiency Evaluations BP11: Rules for New Construction BP12: Fixture Replacement – Residential and Non-Residential BP13: Water Surveys – Residential BP14: Water Surveys – Non-Residential
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ALCC PATHWAY TO CAREERS IN THE GREEN INDUSTRY
By Becky Garber, ALCC
In the spring issue we learned about ALCC’s collaboration with Falcon High School to train teachers how to help students who want to be ready to work in landscape industries immediately upon graduation. This follow-up article expands upon that introduction with a broader description of the effort and the progressive paths these students can follow to work in the Green Industry. "Career pathways” is the latest buzzword across many industries where job skills, including hands-on trade skills, are often valued more than pure academics. It’s a concept that ALCC has embraced to address the fact that employers in the green industry are finding it difficult to attract workers with relevant skills. The Landscape Career Pathways Program teaches and trains high school students so they can be job-ready upon graduation. During the winter of 2014-2015, ALCC volunteers in three task forces met with representatives of the Colorado Community College System (CCCS) to identify entry level jobs and skills, the content and experience high school students should have to prepare them for jobs and the work-based experiences that would enhance classroom training. Currently, Landscape Career Pathway Programs, leading students into the landscape industry, are in place in several Front Range High Schools from Greeley West High School and rural Platte Valley in Kersey, to the Denver area's Westminster High School and Green Mountain High School in Lakewood and in the Colorado Springs area at Falcon High School. Other schools are in the process of getting involved with Pathways. The urban school program began at Green Mountain High School in Lakewood, while the rural program is in place at Platte Valley High School in Kersey. In 2016, landscape pros taught teachers Irrigation 101 using an Irrigation-in-a-Box system developed by ALCC member companies. In 2017, teachers learned the basics of irrigation design and hands-on skills involved in installing landscapes: how to shoot grades, lay pavers, plant trees and install turf according to industry Best Management Practices (BMPs). As the program grows, there is a need for volunteers to act as ambassadors for the industry by speaking to students, sharing testimonials about their path to the landscape industry and to providing work-related experience through job shadowing and internships. For information about the program, or to get involved as a volunteer, contact Becky Garber at 720-307-5093. Read about the Landscape Career Pathway Program in the news: • Timberline Partners with Falcon • Colorado in the Throes of Worst Shortage of Skilled Landscaping Workers since 2009 (The Denver Post) March 13, 2016 • Landscaping a Path to a Better Future (The Pueblo Chieftain) - February 25, 2016 • PHS Teachers Participate in State Landscape Association's Career Pathways Program (Estes Park Trail Gazette) - February 26, 2016 • Landscapers in the Making (The New Falcon Herald) - March 2016 WaterWise
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CARING FOR OUR WATERSHEDS By Cindy Keesis, Poudre Learning Center Educators have long known that nothing beats real world projects for helping students really learn the concepts that are taught in school. Students in northern Colorado are fortunate to have a contest available to them, Caring for Our Watershed, that provides them with an opportunity to propose a real solution to an environmental concern, and then actually put it into action with funding provided to support them. This program is funded by Agrium and begins by having the students, grades 9-12, answer the question “What can I do to improve my watershed?� in a 1,000 word essay. This essay, which includes research on the issue they have chosen, explains the plan they have for helping to solve the problem and includes a budget and timeline. After they submit their proposal, it is read several times by a panel of local judges, including retired teachers, city water department workers, university professors, and environmental professionals. The papers with the top ten scores are then provided with funding of up to $1,000 for the students to use on materials necessary to implement their project. The students have approximately four months to carry out their plan, and then put together an oral presentation for another panel of judges who will rank the projects from first to tenth. The students are also awarded cash prizes ranging from $1,000 for first place to $300 for tenth place. How often does a student get to take an idea from a rough draft to a written proposal, put it into action, and receive a cash award for their work? The Caring for Our Watershed program has been up and running in northern Colorado for eight years and is one of many sites worldwide that Agrium supports, in addition to several locations in Canada, the United States, South America, and Australia. Students currently participating in the local contest attend school in Greeley, Fort Collins, Berthoud, Johnstown, and Estes Park. This year there were over 250 students or teams who wrote essays and the presentations for the top ten took place on May 12th, at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC), followed by the awards banquet. This program provides students with an outstanding real world learning of a problem and experience, a chance to win prizes, an opportunity to improve their local community and help their schools. It is not often that a school assignment can do so much!
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ESTABLISHING METRICS AND BENCHMARKS FOR CII WATER USE By Becky Fedak, Brendle Group There is increasing interest in better understanding and managing commercial, industrial, and institutional (CII) water use. This increased interest is well deserved since the CII sector generally accounts for over 30 percent of utility water sales. However, according to a 2016 published American Water Works Association National Survey of Commercial, Industrial and Institutional Water Efficiency Programs, fewer than 20 percent of the 383 utilities participating in the survey have implemented CII efficiency programs. This lack of specific CII program development and related lack of knowledge in CII water use exists for many reasons: inadequate utility staff availability/budgets; complex relationships between customer type and water use; inconsistency in customer categorization; and challenges with managing and collecting water use data (e.g., single water meter serving multiple customers with varied uses). Water Research Foundation Project (WRF) 4619 aims to explore the current and future structure of and factors affecting water demand in the CII sector, focusing on the 10 most popular customer categories: lodging, office buildings, schools/colleges, health care facilities, restaurants, retail stores, warehouses, auto services, religious buildings, and nursing homes. The research team, led by Brendle Group, is supported by seven participating utilities: American Water, Aurora Water, Athens-Clarke County, City of Colorado Springs, City of Sacramento, Southern Nevada Water Authority, and Tacoma Water. The first year of this research project (2016) was focused on collecting data from the participating utilities and developing preliminary metrics for the 10 categories of interest. Data provided by each utility included monthly water consumption by customer, an assigned CII category for each customer, and parcel data, including building and land square footage provided by external data sources (e.g., tax assessor databases) and matched to utility data. Considerable time was taken by the research team to process all the data provided to ensure consistency in approach and alignment between utility assigned categories and the 10 categories listed above. Once all data were processed and standardized, rate-of-use metrics were calculated for all data. Because the interest of this study is indoor water use trends (there are resources available for outdoor water use) and because water utilities’ ability to obtain and have confidence in building area data, the preliminary metric developed was indoor water consumption per square foot of indoor space. This required the disaggregation of indoor and outdoor consumption, using the average winter consumption method for most participating utilities. As part of this process, outliers (high and low) were also identified and removed. This year the research team is focused on refinement of the preliminary metrics and establishment of water use benchmarks. Metric refinement includes subcategorization (e.g., full service vs. fast food restaurants) and evaluation of additional normalizing factors (e.g., number of students for schools). The research team is currently working with the participating utilities to collect this additional data, through methods such as research of additional secondary databases, customer surveys, and on-site assessments. Results are also currently being compared to past CII metric studies to ensure alignment with past findings and understand any differences. WaterWise
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DOG TUFF™ GRASS By Ruth Quade, City of Greeley
Warm season; bunch grass; soft texture
New on the scene is Dog TuffTM grass, Cynodon hybrida. This grass will accommodate high traffic and is an alternative to bluegrass and native buffalo grass. And, as the name implies, it is very durable in yards with dogs and is also resistant to damage from dog urine.
• • • • •
Dog Tuff is a sterile hybrid from Africa and spreads by rhizomes like buffalo grass. Dog Tuff is a warm season grass suitable for full sun locations. Its season is late spring to mid-fall. Once established, it is highly weed resistant, forming a dense cover. Dog Tuff is only available in plugs, which are planted after May 30th and before fall frost, like native grasses buffalo and blue gramma. Plugs come 70 to a tray and are planted 1’ x 1’ on center and cover 70 square feet.
Height: 2 ½ -4” tall Water: 10-20 inches per year Exposure: Full, hot sun Zones 5-10 Advantages: Good ground cover, very drought tolerant, deep rooted, adapts to clay, and sand. Resistant to dog urine, traffic tolerance. • Disadvantages: Only available in plugs by one suppliers so far, not suitable for elevations higher than 7,000 feet.
Greeley will be trying this grass out in its Xeric Demonstration Garden and Aurora has it at their garden, too. Stay tuned.
COLORADO OUTDOOR REGULATIONS SMART PHONE APP Have your landscape regulations changed? Don’t forget to update them in the Colorado Outdoor Water Regulation Guide smart phone app. Utilities, now is the time to update your water ordinance information in the Colorado Outdoor Water Regulation Guide app. Most local utilities have a profile allowing them to communicate their water use requirements to the green industry. If details have changed for 2017, it’s a good time to clarify those changes to your community and send out a notification. For those unfamiliar, the app, available on Android and iOS, was developed a few years ago to provide mobile, consolidated access to the green industry and others who may need to ensure compliance or find information for landscape projects and contacts. The app provides this information in easy-to-use formats accessible by zip code, making ordinance content immediately available among multiple cities while on the road. For contractors doing rework, getting rebate information on-the-fly can help with submittals, or ensuring the proper schedules when updating controllers. Homeowners can also use the information when planning new landscapes or pursuing do-it-yourself projects. If you’re a water provider who’d like to have their information in the app, known as H20RegsCO, contact admin@coloradowaterwise.org, and we’ll get you set up to enter your content. We’ll also provide details on promoting its availability to your user community. The app content is also available on desktop and other computers at m.h2oregsco.org/. Areas include Turf, Sod and Seed, Certification, Rebates, Irrigation, and much more. Find full details here: coloradowaterwise.org/H2ORegsCO. WaterWise
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TERMINATING TURF By Center for ReSource Conservation Turf: many homeowners can’t imagine living without it, but some can’t stand using the amount of water it takes to keep it golf-course green and lush. And even if they did want to get rid of it, how do they begin? Luckily for them, the Center for ReSource Conservation (CRC) has introduced a program to help remove water-thirsty turf and replace it with low-water alternatives. CRC’s Turf Removal and Replacement Program began as a pilot program in the City of Lafayette in 2016, helping 25 residents transform their turf into softscape and/or permeable hardscape. Ultimately, this program is designed to promote water conservation by teaching homeowners about turf replacement options and incentivize them to complete a replacement project. In order to take part, homeowners must first attend a two-hour seminar on turf replacement, where they can learn about turf removal methods and some tips on what to put in its place. Then, as long as they remove at least 200 square feet of turf, homeowners are eligible to receive a free Garden in a Box and/or a $1 per sq. ft. credit on their bill for any area that has been converted to permeable hardscape. The Garden in a Box is a professionally designed garden that can be used to convert a participant’s high-water using turf to a xeric perennial garden. While only in its first year, the Turf Removal and Replacement Program witnessed great success in potential water savings and customer satisfaction. Of the 15,642 sq. ft. of turf replaced in 2016, 7,711 sq. ft. was replaced with xeric plant material while 7,932 sq. ft. was transformed to permeable hardscape. In total, CRC calculates a potential water savings of 214,000 gallons of water annually. The program was also a big hit with participants. All program participants reported that they were “very satisfied” with their experience with the program. Meanwhile, almost all participants felt that they were unlikely to have replaced their turf without the educational and financial support of this program. In the words of one participant: “I think this program is terrific. I did most of it myself, renting a sod cutter, designing the new layout… Your program is very well designed and gave me the courage to attempt to do it.” Building on this success, CRC has partnered with the City of Lafayette as well as Thornton Water, to offer the turf replacement program in 2017. WaterWise
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AURORA WATER IMPROVES SOD PERMIT PROCESS
by Zach Versluis, Aurora Water At the height of Colorado’s drought in 2003, Aurora officials implemented a requirement to incorporate amendment into the soil prior to the installation of seed or sod. The goal of this mandate was to help establish grass and save water. Amending soil prior to planting is a standard in the nursery industry, and this is a necessary practice considering the high demands we place on soil and plant material to perform to our expectations. The new requirement called for four cubic yards of amendment per thousand square feet of new lawn, tilled four inches deep. The type of amendment was not specified. Properties were inspected prior to issuance of a permit to establish seed or sod. In order to determine that amendment was added in the proper amount and tilled in to the proper depth, we relied on a visual inspection of the soil and a penetrometer to gauge the depth of the till. While our intentions were great, our requirements and processes did not rely on strong evidence. In 2017, Aurora addressed that concern. In addition to increasing till depth to six inches, we implemented standards for soil amendments – a list of acceptable products is posted on our website – and began requiring submission of load tickets. The new standard requires Class I or Class II compost. Given the target plant, Kentucky bluegrass, these high-quality composts are best because they create an ideal growing environment. Compost provides an increase in water holding capacity regardless of soil type, increases the infiltration rate in clay, improves nutrient availability and retention, and does not cause conflicts in the soil like soil-based amendments do. Class I or II composts in particular have low salt levels, are fully decomposed, and are stable. Load tickets provide proof that an approved product has been purchased for the project. We accept the tickets electronically or via hard copy, whichever is easiest for the installer to submit. We wanted to make sure these changes were simple for the Aurora Water Conservation team to implement and for the builder/contractor community to fulfill. Our staff was very concerned with implementing these changes without causing undue burden. Prior to initiating the new process and standards, we notified customers of what to expect and indicated that the year ahead would be a period of learning for all parties. We regularly ask for feedback, and when necessary we provide one-on-one support for big production teams to ensure the process goes smoothly. We’ve been impressed with the responsiveness of the community and with those companies who already made the use of high-quality compost a routine practice. Aurora appreciates the support of the business community with this effort to aid our customers in attaining their landscape goals while saving water. WaterWise
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interview
A Spotlight on
NANCY KOCH
Little Thompson Water District WW: Tell us a little about yourself. I am a native of Colorado. I grew up in north Denver but I spent many weekends and summers in my mother’s home town of Cripple Creek. I live in rural Larimer County, southwest of Berthoud with my husband, Jay. My son is in college in Bozeman, Montana studying physics, rock climbing, skiing, and mountain biking. WW: How did you get started in the water business? I graduated from Colorado State University with degrees in Watershed Science and Mathematics. I have worked for municipalities in various capacities of water resources including water management, water rights acquisition, transfer of water rights to municipal use through Water Court and providing technical information needed to obtain federal permits for new water resources facilities. Water conservation, once a distinct, separate program, now is a common thread or driver in water resources evaluations. WW: Regarding water conservation, what do you feel are the biggest challenges facing Colorado? The rapid growth of the state’s population will pose a significant challenge. Although water conservation is ingrained in the existing population, it may not be in individuals moving to the state. WW: What technologies do you think will have the biggest impact on water conservation in Colorado? The rapid growth of the state’s population will pose a significant challenge. Although water conservation is ingrained in the existing population, it may not be in individuals moving to the state. WW: What technologies do you think will have the biggest impact on water conservation in Colorado? If water providers must prove that there is a sufficient water supply for each new development, then the nexus between growth and water supply will become an ongoing discussion, analysis and the subject of policy decisions.
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Interview with Nancy Koch “The rapid growth of the state’s population will pose a significant challenge. Although water conservation is ingrained in the existing population, it may not be in individuals moving to the state. ” WW: What technologies do you think will have the biggest impact on water and/or conservation in Colorado? Water providers and homeowners will soon have access to real-time water use data and the tools to adjust water use quickly and appropriately through smart meters and irrigation controllers. Having access to the data is one hurdle, but having the resources and training is critical to obtaining significant water savings. WW: What has given you the most satisfaction during your career? When I began my career, water conservation was not part of water resources discussions and was contrary to the mission of selling water. I have been fortunate to work with managers and Water Boards that were willing to embrace water conservation programs. I have had the satisfaction of watching these fledgling programs develop into robust programs with state-wide recognition of excellence. WW: Beyond work, what other interests do you have? Passions, goals, missions? I enjoy most outdoor activities and as newly empty nesters, my husband and I have been able to travel around Canada and will start exploring Europe this fall. With the assistance of local Master Gardeners and the CSU Extension. I am converting my gardens to a low water use and bee friendly landscape. WW: Any last thoughts you’d like to share with our readers? Think local - you can make a difference by example, taking to neighbors, friends, and coworkers.
WATERWISE SPRING LUNCH’ N LEARN WITH RACHIO SHARES INTELLIGENT CONTROLLER MARKET DYNAMICS By Frank Kinder, Colorado Springs Utilities Held at Aurora Library, Colorado WaterWise’s March 9th Lunch’ n Learn with Rachio was a great success. Attendees learned Rachio’s story, how the product works, and gained insight to why it’s been very popular. Rachio CEO Chris Klein shared his personal story of seeing sprinklers on in a rainstorm and thought there has to be a better way to manage irrigation. His software engineering background helped him and others create a company that has built an intelligent controller that uses the Internet of Things (IOT) and algorithms to make irrigation management mobile, friendly, and fun. If you’d like to provide a Lunch’ n Learn to the WaterWise community, contact admin@coloradowaterwise. org. We generally hold three a year at locations in the Denver region. They occur from 12:30-2:00 PM after the monthly board meeting and are designed to share innovations, programs, and other exciting examples of progress in the water conservation industry. Details.
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LEGISLATIVE WATCH, SUMMER 2017 By Drew Beckwith, Western Resource Advocates The 2017 Colorado legislative session is over – sine die was May 10th, 2017. Our state elected officials passed some important new bills dealing with water conservation issues and defeated others – here’s a brief recap. Each year the Colorado Water Conservation Board presents their “Projects Bill” to the legislature that details some of the work they plan to do with funding already available to the CWCB. The Projects Bill (HB 17-1248) contained three noteworthy conservation-related sections: Section 9 allocates $1.1 million to conduct statewide training workshops on water loss control and provide technical assistance on water system management; Section 11 allocates $260,000 to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to update regulations concerning nonpotable reuse and graywater usage; and Section 15 allocates up to $1 million to implement long-term strategies for water conservation, land use, and drought planning as called for in Colorado’s Water Plan. Representative Arndt (D-Ft. Collins) and Senator Sonnenberg (R-Wray) sponsored HB 17-1008 that allows graywater to be used for scientific research without complying with all existing graywater regulations. The exemption was sought to continue graywater use at one of Colorado State University’s dorms and to allow Denver Water to perform graywater research at their new Water Innovation Hub at the redeveloped Stock Show grounds. The bill limits this research waiver to water utilities or institutions of higher education and their contractors, and importantly, allows for graywater use even in local jurisdictions that have not authorized graywater use. Senator Tate (R-Foxfield) sponsored legislation to enable new private capital financing of water meter replacement projects via the performance contract process (SB 17-252). Colorado’s previous enabling legislation for performance contracts was unclear on whether this type of public-private partnership could be used to increase the efficiency or accuracy of utility metering. Many other states do allow this, which results in increased revenue generation for water providers. If you’ve got some old water meters in need of replacement, and are looking for funding to make it happen, a performance contract may be worth considering! HB 17-1273 sought to update the decision-making process of local governments to explicitly consider water conservation and demand management measures in new development; evaluation of these actions is currently (and will remain) optional. The bill had bi-partisan sponsorship from Representatives Hansen (D-Denver) and McKean (R-Longmont), and Senators Coram (R-Montrose) and Jones (D-Louisville), passed the House 45-20, but failed to clear its Senate committee hearing, despite no known opposition to the bill. While many communities already take water conservation actions into account when approving new development, this bill would have ensured new home builders across the state presented their planned water conservation activities to all local governments before permit approval. Finally, HB 17-1364 was an effort by Representatives Arndt (D-Ft. Collins) and Hansen (D-Denver) to establish stronger linkages between water conservation activities and comprehensive plans. The bill sought to require, that for county comprehensive plans that contain a water element, the element must include conservation policies. The bill got a late start in the legislative session and failed to pass out of its first committee meeting. ate grows food and the importance of keeping this vital resource clean. WaterWise
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NEWS AND NOTES Colorado WaterWise Colorado Water: Live Like You Love It Campaign lovecoloradowater.org Join-network-participate with Colorado WaterWise coloradowaterwise.org Colorado Water Conservation Board - Drought Update Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado June 15: Southern Chapter Happy Hour June 17: Certification Testing Hands-on portion June 29: Northern Chapter Happy Hour Irrigation Boot Camp Volunteers are also needed to assist in the classroom. Contact Becky Garber at 720 307-5093 for details and dates. Audubon Rockies Wildscaping Ambassador Trainthe-Trainer Workshops Announced Center for ReSource Conservation Water Wise Landscape Seminars Project Wet Download the Clean and Conserve Activity Guide for Educators
AWWA & RMSAWWA June 13: ACE17 Public Officials Certificate Program March 25-28, 2018: Sustainable Water Management Conference; Seattle WA Abstract deadline: July 14, 2017 Fall conferences, Events and Seminars American Water Resources Association (AWRA) June 25-28, Summer Climate Change Solutions Upcoming Webinars June 14: Creating an ‘American Nile’: Policy, Engineering, and Recreation in the Colorado River Basin & Abroad July 19: IWRM and the Floods Directive: What can the US Learn from the EU August 16: Changing Flood Risks in the California Central Valley under Climate Change September 13: Groundwater Droughts – A Tale from a Few Aquifers awra.org Plant Select New book Pretty Tough Plant is available for preorder! plantselect.org
WaterSmart Innovations October 4-6 watersmartinnovations.com Water Research Foundation Latest Project Updates waterrf.org Metro State University Documentary from CWCB and One World One Water Center Doing More With Less: The Challenge and Opportunity of Water Efficiency Mayor’s Water Conservation Challenge winners Population 5,000-29,999 Windsor #4 30,000-99,999 Greeley #5; Castle Rock #9
North American Water Loss Conference December 3-5 San Diego CA northamericanwaterloss.org
300,000-59,999 Aurora #1; Colorado Springs #9
RMSAWWA June 11, Annual Conference & Expo - rmsawwa.org WaterWise
NCWCD Northern Water’s 2016 Annual Report is now available Summer Tours dates to be announced soon. Sign up at: northernwater.org
600,000 and over Denver #3 14
Summer 2017