Moving forward with solutions for our future water supply
Negotiations ongoing with two long-term water providers
Town Council in October 2012 voted 6-1 in favor of a solution that uses two providers to advance the Town’s long-term water goals.
Town staff since has been in negotiations with
Stillwater Resources and the WISE partnership, which could result in renewable water being imported into Town within a couple of years.
Council since May 2012 had been considering proposals from four potential long-term water providers, which were solicited through a 2011 process.
In June 2012, Council decided that a renewable water solution for the full build-out population would be too expensive for the current population to bear. So, Town staff and a team of water experts set out to find a solution that could be implemented with affordable costs spread out across a larger customer base.
Contracting with Stillwater and WISE will offer the Town a secure, flexible and diverse water supply
The solution will provide one-half to two-thirds of the water – 3,000 to 4,000 acre-feet – that the Town anticipates needing at build out. The actual amount secured will depend on the final agreements negotiated with Stillwater and WISE. (A typical Castle Rock household uses about one-half an acre-foot of water per year.)
Council will need to approve agreements with the providers when definitive terms are reached. Staff has been providing public updates at Town Council meetings every six to eight weeks, as the negotiations play out.
The Castle Rock Utilities Commission, comprised of resident volunteers, supported the concept of the hybrid solution.
The projects will be funded through user charges and fees comparable to those the Town has expected since 2006. A detailed rates and fees study will be conducted to determine the actual rates, once project details are finalized.
