HomeMy WebLinkAboutresolution.council.007-23RESOLUTION #007
(Series of 2023)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ASPEN,
COLORADO, ADOPTING THE CITY OF ASPEN UPDATED MUNICIPAL
WATER EFFICIENCY PLAN.
WHEREAS, the City of Aspen has demonstrated a long-term commitment to
wise water stewardship and responsible and efficient use of its water resources;
and
WHEREAS, the City of Aspen carefully developed a City of Aspen
Municipal Water Efficiency Plan (WEP) that Council adopted in 2015; and
WHEREAS, the 2015 adopted Municipal WEP requires a 7-year plan
update, attached hereto as Exhibit A, in accordance with the Colorado Water
Conservation Act of 2004 so that it meets or exceeds all statutory requirements
according to Colorado Revised Statute § 37-60-126; and
WHEREAS, the Updated Aspen WEP was created to identify opportunities
for further efficiencies in the Aspen water system; and
WHEREAS, the City of Aspen has been successful in implementing a
number of indoor and outdoor water conservation and efficiency measures and has
now identified additional measures that focus on water efficiency to reduce water
demands and provide reasonable cost savings for water utility customers.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF ASPEN, COLORADO,
Section One
The City Council of the City of Aspen hereby adopts the updated City of
Aspen Municipal Water Efficiency Plan.
INTRODUCED, READ AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of
Aspen on the 14th day of February 2023.
Torre, Mayor
I, Nicole Henning, duly appointed and acting City Clerk do certify that the
foregoing is a true and accurate copy of that resolution adopted by the City Council
of the City of Aspen, Colorado, at a meeting held, February 14' 2023.
I— �' " -
Nicole Henning, Ci Clerk
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A unicipal
Water iciency Plan
City of Aspen, Colorado
ELEMENT Water Consulting
427 RIO GRANDE PLACE
ASPEN, CO 81611
(970) 920-5000
DRAFT MUNICIPAL
WATER EFFICIENCY PLAN
PREPARED BY
ELEMENT
Water Consulting
www.elementwaterinc.com
(303) 481-2365
February 3, 2023
DRAFT - CITY OF ASPEN MUNICIPAL WATER EFFICIENCY PLAN
FEBRUARY 3, 2023
Table of Contents
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.......................................................................................................... 1
INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................................................
2
1. PROFILE OF EXISTING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM...................................................................
3
1.1 OVERVIEW ................................................................................................................
3
1.2 WATER SUPPLY AND RELIABILITY................., .. ... ..........................................................
3
2. HISTORICAL WATER USE AND DEMAND MANAGEMENT....................................................
4
2.1 WATER SERVICE BILLING AREA CHARACTERISTIC
.4
2.2 HISTORICAL WATER USE ....................................... ........ .............................. ...............
7
2.2.1 METERED CUSTOMER ACCOUNT USE......................................................................................... 9
2.2.2 "OTHER" ACCOUNT USE......................................................................................................... 13
2.2.3 POTABLE WATER PRODUCTION.......................................................................................... .... 14
2.2.4 NON -REVENUE WATER.......................................................................................................... 16
2.3 PAST AND CURRENT WATER EFFICIENCY PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES ................ .....................
18
3. INTEGRATED RESOURCE PLANNING AND FUTURE DEMAND PROJECTIONS .......................
20
3.1 FUTURE POTABLE DEMAND PROJECTIONS.........................................................................
20
3.1.1 2030 DEMAND PROJECTION................................................................................................... 21
4. SELECTED WATER EFFICIENCY ACTIVITIES.........................................................................
23
4.1 NEW WATER EFFICIENCY ACTIVITIES................................................................................
24
4.1.1 WATER LOSS AND CONSERVATION COORDINATOR...................................................................... 24
4.1.2 WATER LOSS CONTROL PROGRAM........................................................................................... 24
4.1.3 ENHANCED WATER CONSERVATION PROGRAM.......................................................................... 25
4.2 WATER EFFICIENCY PROGRAM AND PROJECTED WATER SAVINGS ............................................
28
S. PLAN IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING...................................................................
30
5.1 PLAN IMPLEMENTATION...............................................................................................
30
5.2 PLAN MONITORMG......................................... . .....................................................
32
6. PUBLIC REVIEW, ADOPTION, AND APPROVAL OF WATER EFFICIENCY PLAN ......................
32
6.1 PUBLIC REVIEW..........................................................................................................
32
6.2 WATER EFFICIENCY PLAN ADOPTION.............................................................
32
6.3 WATER EFFICIENCY PLAN APPROVAL. - - _ . ............................................................... I .......
32
7. COMPLIANCE WITH STATE PLANNING REQUIREMENTS....................................................
32
7A ''.ITY OF ASPEN WATER EFFICIENCY PLAN COMPLIANCE.........................................................
33
8. REFERENCES....................................................................................................................
36
ELEMENT Water Consulting PAGE ii
DRAFT - CITY OF ASPEN MUNICIPAL WATER EFFICIENCY PLAN
FEBRUARY 3, 2023
List of Figures
Figure 1: Aspen Municipal Boundary and Water Service Billing Area..........................................................5
Figure 2: Potable Water Use, 2012 -- 2019 Average Annual Customer Category Distribution ....................9
Figure 3: Potable Water Use, 2012 — 2019 Average Monthly for Metered Customer Account Category. 12
Figure 4: Potable Water Use, 2012 — 2019 Annual Distribution for Metered Customer Accounts ............ 13
Figure 5: Potable Water Use, 2012 — 2019 Average Monthly for "Other" Category .................................. 14
Figure 6: Potable Water Production, 2012 — 2019 Monthly.......................................................................16
Figure 7: Water Balance Components, AWWA 2016.................................................................................. 17
Figure 8: Potable Water Production, Authorized Use, and NRW, 2012 — 2019 Annual .............................18
Figure 9. Historical Production and Potable Water Demand Projection Including NRW through 2070....21
Figure 10. Historical Production and Demand Projection, including NRW, with Enhanced Water
Conservation Planning Scenario through 2070.......................................................................................... 23
List of Tables
Table 1. Potable Water Use, 2012-2019 Annual for Metered Customer Accounts and Other Categories. 8
Table 2. Potable Water Use, 2012 — 2019 Annual Indoor and Outdoor Systemwide... .............................10
Table 3. Potable Water Use, 2012-2019 Annual Indoor and Outdoor for Metered Customer Accounts. 11
Table 4. Potable Water Production, 2012 — 2019 Annual Characteristics..................................................15
Table 5. Past and Current Water Efficiency Programs and Activities.........................................................19
Table 6. 2070 Demand and NRW Projection Drivers for Scenario F (IRP, 2021)........................................ 22
Table 7. New and Ongoing Water Efficiency Programs, Activities, and Water Savings Estimates.............29
Table 8: Planned Water Efficiency Program Implementation.................................................................... 31
ELEMENT Water Consulting PAGE iii
DRAFT - CITY OF ASPEN MUNICIPAL WATER EFFICIENCY PLAN
FEBRUARY 3, 2023
List of Abbreviations
ACSD
Aspen Consolidated Sanitation District
AF
acre-feet
AF/yr
acre-feet per year
AIM
Aspen Intelligent Metering
AMI
automated metering infrastructure
Aspen
City of Aspen
AWC
average winter consumption
AWWA
American Water Works Association
cfs
cubic feet per second
CDPHE
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
City
City of Aspen
CWCB
Colorado Water Conservation Board
DMRP
Drought Mitigation and Response Plan
ECU
equivalent capacity units
IRP
Integrated Resources Plan
MG
million gallons
MGD
million gallons per day
NRW
non -revenue water
QWEL
Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper
UGB
Urban Growth Boundary
USBR
United States Bureau of Reclamation
WELS
Water Efficient Landscape Standards
WEP
Water Efficiency Plan
WSO
Water Systems Optimization, Inc.
WTP
Water Treatment Plant
Report cover photograph provided by City of Aspen staff.
ELEMENT Water Consulting PAGE iv
DRAFT - CITY OF ASPEN MUNICIPAL WATER EFFICIENCY PLAN
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This City of Aspen Water Efficiency Plan was prepared
collaboration with City of Aspen staff. The consultant t
members and affiliated consultants for their contributions:
Tyler Christoff, Director of Utilities
Erin Erickson, Utility Billing Technician
Rob Gregor, Utilities Management Analyst
FEBRUARY 3, 2023
by ELEMENT Water Consulting, Inc. in close
earn would like to thank the following staff
Steve Hunter, Utility Resource Manager
Cole Langford, Business Services Manager
Lee Ledesma, Finance and Administrative Manager
Rick Magill, Review Coordinator— Water Efficient Landscaping Standards
Phil Overeynder, Utilities Engineer —Special Projects
Cynthia Covell (Alperstein & Covell, P.C.)
John Rehring and Rachel Duncan (Carollo)
ELEMENT Water Consulting PAGE 1
DRAFT - CITY OF ASPEN MUNICIPAL WATER EFFICIENCY PLAN
FEBRUARY 3, 2023
INTRODUCTION
The City of Aspen (City or Aspen) owns and operates its water supply system, providing potable, i.e.,
treated, water to customers and non -potable, i.e., untreated raw, water for irrigation and snowmaking
purposes to a small subset of customers. The City is committed to sustainability and providing a quality
potable water supply to the community. The 2022 Water Efficiency Plan (2022 WEP) was developed to
build upon the City's existing robust water efficiency program and is intended to work in concert with the
City's other planning efforts, specifically its recently completed Integrated Water Resource Plan (IRP) and
its Drought Mitigation and Response Plan (DMRP). Work completed for the City's IRP was heavily relied
upon in this WEP to capitalize on the extensive analyses completed for that effort, maintain consistency
between planning efforts, and support the implementation of the IRP.
The City's 2015 Municipal Water Efficiency Plan (2015 WEP) evaluated the City's potable water demands
for the years 2009 through 2013, based primarily upon metered water use data. The data were used to
represent the then -current "baseline" water demands which was the basis for water demand projections
through the year 2035. One of the demand projections reflected the reduction in demand that could be
achieved through implementing the 2015 WEP. At the same time, the City partnered with other local
water providers within the Roaring Fork watershed to develop the Roaring Fork Watershed Regional WEP
(Regional WEP) which was published in 2015. The Regional WEP was developed to implement municipal
water efficiency programs on a regional scale to achieve higher and more effective benefits compared to
implementing the same programs individually. Since that time, the City has implemented many of the
recommended water efficiency programs from both the 2015 WEP and the Regional WEP and has been
monitoring its customer water use data. This 2022 WEP provides an update regarding new water data
trends and the water efficiency activities that Aspen will implement moving forward.
ELEMENT Water Consulting PAGE 2
DRAFT - CITY OF ASPEN MUNICIPAL WATER EFFICIENCY PLAN
FEBRUARY 3, 2023
1. PROFILE OF EXISTING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM
Aspen's water supplies are heavily dependent on weather conditions and present unique operational
challenges for the City, as further described below.
1.1 OVERVIEW
Aspen obtains its water supply primarily from the surface water sources of Castle Creek and Maroon Creek
which are tributaries to the Roaring Fork River. Aspen's water supply is highly dependent upon snowpack
and snowmelt runoff patterns. The City's water system does not currently include a significant water
storage component that would allow it to store water supplies when they are available and release stored
water when it is needed, retiming deliveries of water supplies to match the timing of water demands.
Without storage, the City is largely dependent upon streamflow availability at its diversion points.
The City provides potable water service to all customers and raw water for irrigation and snowmaking
purposes to a small subset of customers. This 2022 WEP primarily focuses on the efficient use of Aspen's
potable water supplies.
1.2 WATER SUPPLY AND RELIABILITY
Aspen owns and operates its own potable water treatment and delivery infrastructure. Aspen currently
uses two sources of water supply for its potable water system. At this time, the primary supply intake for
water delivered to the Aspen water campus is located on Castle Creek and another intake, located on
Maroon Creek, is generally used as a supplemental supply. Intake diversions are conveyed to the Leonard
Thomas reservoir' located on the Aspen water campus before being treated at the water treatment plants
(WTPs). City staff maintain raw water deliveries to the WTPs and perform operations and maintenance
functions for the WTPs. This includes booster stations, pump stations, vaults, storage tanks, and the
Thomas Reservoir located adjacent to the WTPs. Crews perform routine laboratory testing and reporting
per the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) guidelines and requirements.
In 1980, Aspen entered into an agreement with the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) to allow
the City's senior 15 cubic feet per second (cfs) Hunter Creek Flume and Pipeline water right to be used for
instream flows on Hunter Creek and the water court approved that use. Then in 1993, City Council
adopted water management policies intended to provide for current and future municipal water needs
while at the same time maintaining streamflow in the creeks downstream of its diversion structures at
flow rates that are at or above the CWCB's decreed instream flow rights for the protection of the fishery
and the associated aquatic habitats in those streams. This is reflected in the objectives and operating
principles described in Aspen's Drought Mitigation and Response Plan (DMRP) that was completed in
2020.
Aspen has an intergovernmental agreement with the CWCB to protect the natural environment of Castle
Creek by operating the City's water rights on Castle Creek in a manner that will allow the decreed
minimum streamflow of 12 cfs to be maintained unless needed for municipal purposes under
circumstances such as extrdurdindry drought conditions or for emergencies. An additional 1.3 cfs flowrate
is maintained below the Marolt Ditch headgate which is not decreed but has been accepted as a rate that
1 The capacity of Leonard Thomas reservoir is 13 acre-feet or about 4.2 million gallons.
ELEMENT Water Consulting PAGE 3
DRAFT - CITY OF ASPEN MUNICIPAL WATER EFFICIENCY PLAN
FEBRUARY 3, 2023
will help maintain and protect habitat along this reach. Although Aspen does not have a similar agreement
regarding Maroon Creek, Aspen also operates its senior Maroon Creek water rights in a way that protects
the decreed instream flow at 14.0 cfs immediately downstream of its Maroon Creek intake. In 2016,
following several years of pilot programs, Aspen entered into a 10-year Forbearance Agreement with the
Colorado Water Trust, under which Aspen agrees to not divert a portion of its senior Wheeler Ditch water
right during the irrigation season when the CWCB's decreed instream flow in the Aspen reach of the
Roaring Fork River is not being satisfied. In connection with the Forbearance Agreement, the Wheeler
Ditch water right has been enrolled in a Conservation Plan approved by the Colorado River Water
Conservation District.
Although the City does not divert water to help maintain these instream flows in the same manner that it
diverts water to meet potable and non -potable water demands, the instream flows are a priority for the
City and directly affect the City's water system operations. At times, Aspen limits its diversions and
hydroelectric production at Maroon Creek to prioritize the protection of decreed instream flows.
The City's IRP was prepared in 2021 to develop a plan for implementing projects and developing
infrastructure to reliably meet future water demands. The IRP presents water demand and supply
forecasts and analyzes existing and potential new water supply sources for the City's water service billing
areal through 2070. The City chose this planning period to reflect the long-lasting implications of water
resources decisions and acknowledge the need for a long-range outlook with a phased implementation
schedule to meet the community's needs over time. It is the City's foundational planning document,
designed to guide the City to achieve long-term supply reliability.
While the IRP drives long-term reliability, the City's DMRP provides the framework to meet short-term
demand needs under water shortage conditions. Streamflow is susceptible to variation and changing
conditions, including diurnal streamflow fluctuations, as well as catastrophic events such as landslides,
fires, avalanches, drought, and other events that can prevent river diversions for some period. The DMRP
specifies demand -side response strategies that provide ways the City and its customers can reduce water
use to manage water supplies to support short-term supply reliability under shortage conditions.
2. HISTORICAL WATER USE AND DEMAND MANAGEMENT
Thorough analyses of historical water use and water production data was conducted and used to prepare
water demand projections for the IRP. Data were analyzed through 2019, which was the most recent
calendar year for which data were available at the time of the analysis. A summary of the data and
analyses is provided below.
2.1 WATER SERVICE BILLING AREA CHARACTERISTICS
As of 2021, Aspen provides potable water service to a total of approximately 4,100 customer connections
within the City's water service billing area. The City's current water service billing area is shown in Figure
1, which includes the City of Aspen and some areas outside of the municipal boundary that are within the
Urban Growth Boundary (UGB).
z Title 25 defines the following: "Water service billing area, billing area or area of water service billing means an area established
by the City Water Department for purposes of calculating and assessing tap and/or other water service fees. The designation of
a water service billing area as provided for in this Title shall not be construed as an offer, obligation, exclusive right, willingness,
or ability to serve any customer, prospective customer or geographical area with municipal water or water services."
ELEMENT Water Consulting PAGE 4
DRAFT -CITY OF ASPEN MUNICIPAL WATER EFFICIENCY PLAN
FEBRUARY 3, 2023
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Population is a major driver of municipal potable water demands and is one of the most common factors
upon which to base future water demand projections. Aspen's demands are strongly influenced by the
population of its full-time residents. Aspen also experiences highly variable demands from other
categories of water use including:
• Second homes that are not occupied year-round;
• Visitors who come to Aspen for seasonal attractions including skiing and summer festivals and
may be renting residential units or staying in hotels; and
• Commuters working in Aspen but living outside of the water service billing area.
The 2015 WEP projection methodology accounted for population increasing into the future and assumed
that similar occupancy levels would continue, along with a similar proportion of permanent -to -seasonal
population that existed at that time.
At the time the IRP was prepared, the Colorado Department of I oval Affairs State Demography Office
(SDO) had historical full-time population data tabulated by county and municipality through 2018. Using
this data and a historical annual growth rate of 1.2%, Aspen's 2020 full-time population was estimated to
be around 7,500 people within the City boundary and about 11,300 people within the Urban Growth
Boundary (UGB) (see Figure 1). The 2015 WEP estimated 2013 full-time population at 10,381, showing an
increase of around 1,000 full-time residents.
ELEMENT Water Consulting PAGE 5
DRAFT - CITY OF ASPEN MUNICIPAL WATER EFFICIENCY PLAN
FEBRUARY 3, 2023
The City uses the following customer category assignments for most of its potable water service accounts
that are metered and billed (referred to herein as "Metered Customer Accounts"):
• Single-family residential'
• Multi -family residential' with 2-4 units
• Multi -family residential with 5 or more units
• Commercials (split into small and large commercial starting in 2020)
• City facilities' (category retired in 2020)
• Irrigation Only'
Approximately 14% of the potable water that Aspen produced in 2019 was provided for "Other" purposes,
as described below:
• Snowmaking —The City provides potable water to Aspen Skiing Company for snowmaking at
Aspen Mountain through a bulk treated water agreement$. Water for snowmaking is delivered
from the City's potable water pipelines. Water delivery is measured at the Aspen Skiing
Company Primary Pump Station.
• Buttermilk Metro District — The City provides potable water through a Bulk Water Service
Agreement to Buttermilk Metro District, which is metered in bulk by the City. Water is delivered
by Buttermilk Metro District through individual meter connections to 77 residential customers
plus two commercial taps. Some of these accounts have individual septic systems.
• Billed Unmetered —The City has unmetered customers who are billed at a flat, rather than
tiered, rate. This usage typically involves service to construction projects before a permanent
meter is installed. The amount of water is estimated monthly by City staff based on the number
of active construction permits.
• Unbilled Unmetered Authorized —This category is estimated to account for less than 1% of the
"Other" uses and includes the following types of uses:
o Hydrant draw permits'.
o Commercial fire system testing.
3 Defined in Aspen's municipal code as "a single dwelling which is occupied by a single family and is supplied by a separate service
line or a single dwelling comprised of multiple living units where each living unit is supplied by a separate service line".
4 Defined in Aspen's municipal code as "a single residential connection to the City water system's distribution system from which
two (2) or more separate dwelling units are supplied water".
5 All accounts that are not defined as residential or irrigation -only uses.
8 This category has historically included water uses associated with a variety of properties owned by the City, which include but
are not limited to employee housing, municipal buildings, and parks. In the future, Aspen plans to reassign these uses into the
other major sub -categories of the Metered Customer Accounts.
' Water accounts that only have outdoor uses and are operated during the irrigation season.
8 The City also provides raw water to Aspen Skiing Company for snowmaking at Aspen Highlands Ski Area that is delivered via
pressurized pipeline.
9 The City historically issued a small number of hydrant draw permits each year under bulk sale agreements, typically related to
construction. These uses were estimated by City staff through 2018. A fill station was installed and uses began being metered
and billed starting in 2019. For this 2012 through 2019 analysis, the uses are included in the "Other - Unbilled Authorized"
category for consistency with historical data categories. Future construction water use will be billed and reported under the
Metered Customer Accounts.
ELEMENT Water Consulting PAGE 6
DRAFT - CITY OF ASPEN MUNICIPAL WATER EFFICIENCY PLAN
FEBRUARY 3, 2023
o Maintenance and construction system flushing.
o Water quality flushing.
o Fire hydrant usage by Aspen Fire Department.
2.2 HISTORICAL WATER USE
The City Utilities Department regularly evaluates its potable water usage using an Excel -based tracking
tool referred to as the "AWWA M36 Tracker", which was developed as part of the City's potable water
audits and loss control program. This tool was first prepared in 2018 and has become the City's primary
potable water use data repository, supporting consistency in water data reporting. City staff enter and
review water production and use data each month and annually conduct a full review before submitting
to the CWCB certain data that are required by the statute that was created from House Bill 10-1051.'o
The AWWA M36 Tracker contains monthly data starting in 2012 that were incorporated to provide
historical water use information.
To maintain consistency with the IRP, water use data for the period of 2012 through 2019 was used to
prepare the 2022 WEP.11 The total potable water use for Aspen's system, including potable water supplies
for the "Other" accounts, has averaged approximately 3,027 acre-feet per year (AF/yr) over this period,
as shown in Table 1 below. Total potable water use has remained relatively constant over the past eight
years even though there has been some growth through redevelopment and new development.
10 C.R.S. Section 37-60-126(4.5).
11 Some of the historical data have been updated and are different from the data that were available for the 2015 WEP. The City
has reviewed all data in the AWWA M36 Tracker and has concluded that it provides the most accurate representation of historical
potable water uses.
ELEMENT Water Consulting PAGE 7
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DRAFT - CITY OF ASPEN MUNICIPAL WATER EFFICIENCY PLAN
FEBRUARY 3, 2023
On average for the period of 2012 through 2019, single-family and multi -family residential water use
accounted for approximately 57% of the annual potable water use and commercial use accounted for
approximately 21% of the potable use. A pie chart showing the average distribution of water usage from
2012 through 2019, including the "Other" water sales, is presented in Figure 2 below.
Billed Unmetered Unbilled Unmetered
4% Authorized
Buttermilk M
29
Snowmaking
6%
Irrigation Only_
3%
City Facilities_'
4%
Commercial
21%
Multi -Family (S+ Units)-- — Multi-Family(2-4 Units)
12% 3%
Single -Family Residential
42%
Figure 2: Potable Water Use, 2012 -- 2019 4,8 c£: e Annual Customer Category Distribution.
2.2.1 METERED CUSTOMER ACCOUNT USE
The City's municipal water efficiency program has historically focused on the major customer categories
within the Metered Customer Accounts, which represent approximately 86% of the potable water use
and are further described in this section. An estimate of indoor versus outdoor potable water use for the
Metered Customer Accounts, based on monthly data from the City's AWWA M36 Tracker, is shown in
Table 2 below. Indoor and outdoor uses were estimated using a standard average winter consumption
(AWC) methodology where indoor use from the winter months (January, February, and December) when
there is typically no outdoor irrigation occurring, is used to estimate monthly indoor use for the entire
year. Estimated indoor use is then deducted from the total annual use to estimate the outdoor use. There
are some challenges in using this method for Aspen, considering that the population fluctuates
throughout the year with non -permanent residents, visitors, and commuters. The results were validated
using average daily influent flow data from the Aspen Consolidated Sanitation District (ACSD)12
wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), which represents the waste flows from indoor uses. The 2012
through 2019 average calculated indoor use using these two methodologies matched within about 1%.
The AWC method was used so that it could also be applied on a customer category scale. Without having
separate Indoor and outdoor meters to measure actual usage, this is a reasonable method for planning
purposes. Since the 2015 WEP was prepared, the average total water use for the Metered Customer
Accounts has decreased while the estimated average outdoor percentage has increased slightly, from 43%
in the 2015 WEP to 45% over the period 2012 through 2019.
12 The City's wastewater is treated at a WWTP that is owned and operated by the ACSD.
ELEMENT Water Consulting PAGE 9
DRAFT - CITY OF ASPEN MUNICIPAL WATER EFFICIENCY PLAN
FEBRUARY 3, 2023
Table 2.
',ter G1se, 2012 — 2019 Annual Indoor and Outdoor System -Wide.
Year
Estimated Indoor Use
Using WWTP Influent
Data Method (AF/yr)
Indoor Use
(AF/yr)
Estimated Use Using AWC Method13
Outdoor
%Indoor
(AF/yr)
%Outdoor
2012
2013
1,382
1,364
1,522
1,407
1,217
1,107
56%
56%
44%
44%
2014
1,379
1,424
1,131
56%
44%
2015
1,398
1,432
1,057
58%
42%
2016
1,471
1,388
1,153
55%
45%
2017
1,515
1,434
1,223
54%
46%
2018
1,437
1,490
1,207
55%
45%
2019
Average
1,457
1,425
1,386
1,435
1,127
1,153
55%
55%
45%
45%
Aspen's potable water use data were further disaggregated for each Metered Customer Account category
as shown in Table 3. The total outdoor use for Metered Customer Accounts averages around 45%, yet
the single-family residential customer account outdoor use averaged around 64% and has increased from
62% in 2012 to as high as 67% in 2017 and 2019. Outdoor uses are generally consumptive whereas most
of the water used indoors returns to the Roaring Fork River after being treated at the ACSD WWTP.
13 The same data were used to prepare Table 1 and Table 2. Any differences are due to rounding for reporting purposes.
ELEMENT Water Consulting PAGE 10
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DRAFT -CITY OF ASPEN MUNICIPAL WATER EFFICIENCY PLAN
FEBRUARY 3, 2023
Aspen's potable water uses are higher during the summer months due to outdoor water use. Figure 3
below shows the average monthly metered potable water use from 2012 through 2019 for the City's
Metered Customer Accounts. Like the pattern shown in the 2015 WEP, water use typically peaks in July.
Water usage increases during the summer months for all categories, with single-family residential usage
increasing at a higher scale than all other categories as compared to winter water usage. The distribution
of potable water uses between the Metered Customer Account categories are relatively consistent
between years, as shown in Figure 4 below.
EW:
0
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350
a�
D
300
Y
250
a
200
0
150
�o
v 100
Q
.1,
Ll L ,L L f L kl .L .L
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
^�^ Total w Single -Family Residential NEW Multi -Family (2-4 Units)
Multi -Family (5+ Units) Commercial City Facilities
Irrigation ..FAvgTemperature
Figure 3: Potable Water Usg 2012 — 201.9,4 verage 4 fonthlY for Metered i ustomerAccount Category.
70
60 v
v
a`n
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ELEMENT Water Consulting PAGE 12
DRAFT - CITY OF ASPEN MUNICIPAL WATER EFFICIENCY PLAN
FEBRUARY 3, 2023
100% rr— 1 — — 3%
90% 4%
80./ 25%
70'9
c
0
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50•� 4%
0 jf
f
40%
50%
30%
20%
10%
0%
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2012-2019 Avg
■ Single -Family Residential ■ Multi-Farnily (2-4 Units) ■ Multi -Family (5+ Units) 0 Commercial ■ City Facilities ■ Irrigation
Figure 4: Potable Water Use, 2012 — 2019 Annual Distribution for Metered CustomerAccounts.
2.2.2 "OTHER" ACCOUNT USE
Most of the uses in this category are either consumptive or do not get treated at the ACSD WWTP. Figure
5 below shows the "Other" use category average monthly water use for the period of 2012 through 2019.
Snowmaking is the highest use, occurring primarily during the winter months of November through
January. The water uses are shown in the month in which the meters are read, and there may be some
adjustments needed to represent the timing of actual use. Snowmaking, for example, primarily occurs
during November and December, however, some measurements taken in January may represent use that
occurred in December.
ELEMENT Water Consulting PAGE 13
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DRAFT - CITY OF ASPEN MUNICIPAL WATER EFFICIENCY PLAN
FEBRUARY 3, 2023
k
M
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct
R1 Total ■ Snowmaking
lim Buttermilk Metro District ■ Billed Unmetered
■ Unbilled Unmetered Authorized
Figure S: Potable Water Use, 2012 — 2019Average)Vlonthly for "Other' Category
2.2.3 POTABLE WATER PRODUCTION
A 1111111
Nov Dec
A summary of Aspen's annual and peak water production, i.e., treated at the WTPs, values from 2012
through 2019 is presented in Table 4. Aspen's peak daily production typically occurs sometime in late June
through end of July. Aspen experiences a "second peak" in November or December, influenced by
snowmaking and increased visitor populations. Although the ratio of the maximum winter (October
through April) daily flow to the average winter daily flow is similar to the ratio of the maximum and
average daily flows on an annual basis, the average daily winter flow is significantly lowerthan the annual
average daily flow, as shown in Table 4 below.
ELEMENT Water Consulting PAGE 14
Table 4. Potable Water
DRAFT - CITY OF ASPEN MUNICIPAL WATER EFFICIENCY PLAN
FEBRUARY 3, 2023
ctian 2012 - 2019 Annual Lharacterisr fc• ,.
Annual Peaking Calculations Winter (October through April) Peaking
Calculations
Year
Annual
Annual
Average
Max-
imum
Average
Max -
imum
Winter
Winter
Production
Production
Daily
Daily
peaking
Peak
Daily
Daily
Peaking
Peak
(AF/yr)
(MG)
Flow
Flow
Factor
Day
Flaw
Flow
Factor
Day
(MGD)
(MGD)
(MGD)
(MGD)
2012
3,681
1,200
3.29
7.6
2.3
6/21
1.97
3.84
1.9
12/15
2013
3,314
1,080
2.96
8.0
2.7
7/24
1.81
4.19
2.3
12/4
2014
3,942
1,284
3.52
7.0
2.0
7/20
2.42
5.02
2.1
11/17
2015
4,386
1,429
3.92
8.3
2.1
7/3
2.99
5.04
1.7
12/1
2016
4,928
1,606
4.40
8.1
1.8
7/29
3.39
6.35
1.9
12/2
2017
5,378
1,752
4.80
9.8
2.0
7/7
3.60
6.39
1.8
12/7
2018
4,780
1,558
4.27
8.7
2.0
6/23
3.04
5.71
1.9
11/8
2019
4,039
1,316
3.61
7.2
2.0
7/12
2.60
5.22
2.0
11/30
Average
4,306
1,403
3.84
8.09
2.13
2.73
5.22
1.94
While daily water production data are conventionally used to investigate water and wastewater
treatment and delivery capacities, monthly production data are often used for water supply and demand
planning. As shown in Figure 6, unlike in most recent years, monthly production in 2012 peaked in June
before a significant decline in production through October. Aspen declared a Stage 1 Drought in June of
2012, which called for voluntary water -use reductions from customers, placed water use restrictions on
public facilities, and increased water rates for the City's highest billing tiers. The decline in water
production starting in July of 2012 may reflect a reduction in use influenced by the Stage 1 declaration,
which continued through the summer of 2013, likely influencing production through the conclusion of the
Stage 1 Drought declaration in September of 2013. Production typically dips in October before a small
upswing in November and December for snowmaking and the beginning of ski season tourism.
ELEMENT Water Consulting PAGE 15
DRAFT- CITY OF ASPEN MUNICIPAL WATER EFFICIENCY PLAN
FEBRUARY 3, 2023
800
700
E
600
L`L
Q
v 500
f76
7
O 400
a
E
c
> 300
a
s
c
3 200
100
Feb Mar Apr May Jun Seo Oct Nov Dec
- 2012 -2013 - 2014 2015 2016 2017 - 2018 2019
Figure 6 Potable Water Production, 2012 — 2019 Monthly.
2.2.4 NON -REVENUE WATER
For purposes of this WEP, non -revenue water (NRW) includes unbilled authorized consumption, apparent
loss (customer meter inaccuracies, unauthorized consumption, and data handling errors), and real loss
(physical leaks in transmission lines, storage facilities, and service connections) (AWWA, 2016). It is
calculated as the difference between the amount of water produced and the total billed (metered and
unmetered) potable water use. Figure 7 below shows the water balance components defined by the
American Water Works Association (AWWA) as they relate to NRW as.
ELEMENT Water Consulting PAGE 16
DRAFT -CITY OF ASPEN MUNICIPAL WATER EFFICIENCY PLAN
FEBRUARY 3, 2023
Figure 7: Water Balance Components, AWWA 2016.
After completing the 2015 WEP, the City's total annual potable water production began increasing while
the total potable water use remained relatively constant, as shown in Figure 8 below. Consequently, the
NRW also began increasing. The calculated NRW peaked in 2017, at around 2,200 AF/yr, accounting for
about 41% of the total water production and averaged 28% from 2012 through 2019. In comparison,
Aspen's NRW reportedly averaged around 4% from 2009 through 2013.15 As the NRW levels increased,
Aspen began investigating reasons for this trend and pursuing resolutions. This continues to be a primary
focus for the City and is further discussed in Section 4 below.
In 2020, the City contracted with Water Systems Optimization, Inc. (WSO) to test the City's potable water
production meter. In January 2020, WSO completed a volumetric displacement test to evaluate the
production meter accuracy at low flows. In July 2020, the production meter was tested at higher flows.
An overread of about 6.7% of production, on average over the year, was identified by WSO. The 2019
production data in Figure 8 were adjusted by 6.7% for illustrative purposes to reflect the findings by WSO
during the production meter testing. With the adjustment applied, the calculated NRW value for 2019
would decrease from 29% to 24%. This adjustment was not made to the reported values in the prior
paragraph. As part of its routine operation and maintenance procedures, annually, the City replaces its in-
service flow meter with a calibrated meter.
is The NRW value reported in the City of Aspen 2015 Municipal Water Efficiency Plan was based on data and analyses that had
been completed by City staff at that time, which preceded the AWWA M36 Tracker. It is not known whether similar quality or
tracking of data were available at that time.
ELEMENT Water Consulting PAGE 17
DRAFT - CITY OF ASPEN MUNICIPAL WATER EFFICIENCY PLAN
FEBRUARY 3, 2023
6,000
5,000
LL
Q
v 4,000
0
0
d 3,000
I"
O
e'
2,000
�a
C
yr
Q 1,000
2012
2013 2014
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2019
Adjusted
■ Production
"Authorized Use Non -Revenue Water
FigureB: Potable WaterProou,N,)r,, AuthorizedL.fse and NRW, 2012-2019Annua<.
2.3 PAST AND CURRENT WATER EFFICIENCY PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES
Aspen has implemented many of the programs that were identified in the 2015 WEP and the Regional
WEP and submits water use and conservation data reporting to the CWCB annually in accordance with
Colorado House Bill 10-1051(1051 reporting).16 In early 2020, ELEMENT assisted the City in developing a
water efficiency program monitoring tool ("Efficiency Monitoring Tool") that the City uses to document,
monitor, and evaluate its water efficiency programs. The Efficiency Monitoring Tool includes a description
of each program along with estimated water savings that are based on information from the 2015 WEP,
the Regional WEP, and the 1051 reporting. Aspen updates the Efficiency Monitoring Tool annually and
uses it to develop recommendations to continue, modify, or terminate each efficiency program. A
summary of past and ongoing water efficiency activities is shown in Table 5 below. Some of the activities
were delayed or paused due to the pandemic. The City has also been identifying opportunities to modify
and improve some of the ongoing programs once Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) data becomes
available, as described further below.
16 HB10-1051 requires covered entities (retail water providers who sell 2,000 acre feet or more of water annually) to report, on
an annual basis, water use and conservation data to be used for statewide water supply planning.
ELEMENT Water Consulting PAGE 18
DRAFT - CITY OF ASPEN MUNICIPAL WATER EFFICIENCY PLAN
FEBRUARY 3, 2023
Tables. Past andC'urrent WarerGiilapncykrogiams
Activity Program Initial Year Current Status
Classification Imolemented
c
0
0.
m
c
0
0
LL
a 9A
a u c Gj
V c C
c
C y,
M C
4A 0
u
c—
m
c
O
Acoustic Leak Su
Inverted Four -Tier Billing Rate
Irrigated Area Assessments*
Metering of Fill Stations
Reactive Leak Repair
Supply Meter Testing— Volumetric
Displacement
_ 1995 Ongoing
2006 (updated in
Ongoing
2011)
2018 Ongoing
2019
Ongoing
1995
Ongoing
2020
Ongoing
Water Bypass Valve Inspection and Lockout 2018 Ongoing
Water Loss Audit (M36) 2016 Ongoing, brought in-
house 2020
Fixture and Appliance Incentives/ Rebates Post-2002 Ongoi
Irrigation Audits (Residential, City Facilities, 2018 Ongoing
and Parks)
Slow the Flow
Drought Management Plan
Landscape Ordinance*
Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper
Certification
Update to Water Shortage Section of
Municipal Code
Waste of Water Ordinance Update
Community Outreach Event Participation
2013 Replaced by Irrigation
Audits starting in 2018
2020 Ongoing
2017 Ongoing
2018 Ongoing
2020 Ongoing
2020 Ongoing
Pre-2006 Ongoing, Paused in
2020 due to Pandemic
Public Information, Customer Outreach and 1992 Ongoing
Education
"' Utility Billing Inserts & Online Information 2008 0
*Indicates activities with a land use component.
With the implementation of the 2015 WEP, the City increased its focus on reducing outdoor water use,
managing future outdoor demands, and integrating water and land use planning by passing an ordinance
in 2017 that established the Water Efficient Landscaping Standards (WELS).17 Development of the City's
WELS was supported through a CWCB grant and fulfilled recommendations identified in the City's 2015
WEP, the Roaring Fork Regional Efficiency Plan, and the Roaring Fork Watershed Plan. The City has also
invested in annual irrigation audits, which evaluate individual customer irrigation systems and provide
recommendations for more efficient irrigation. Aspen was the first entity in the state of Colorado to
become a Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper (QWEL) Certifying Organization, providing free training
and certification to local landscaping and irrigation professionals. The City has also begun investigating
neighborhoods with large lots and high water use customers to evaluate options for reducing outdoor use
and identifying inefficiencies or overuse.
Over the past dprade, total annual billed water use has remained relatively constant even while
population has increased. This plateauing of water use reflects the success of ongoing conservation and
efficiency programs within Aspen, offsetting some of the impacts due to growth. However, the City's NRW
17 Amended annually through 2022.
ELEMENT Water Consulting PAGE 19
DRAFT - CITY OF ASPEN MUNICIPAL WATER EFFICIENCY PLAN
FEBRUARY 3, 2023
has increased over the same period. The 2015 WEP identified a total savings goal of 583 AFY by 2035,
which is a total reduction of 14% over 20 years. Linearly interpolating, the savings at 2019 under the 2015
WEP that would have needed to be achieved was 123 AF/yr. From 2014 to 2019, Aspen has reduced its
annual total potable water use by about 116 AF/yr, or about 4% as compared to the City's 2019 uses,
which is on target with the 2015 WEP goal.
3. INTEGRATED RESOURCE PLANNING AND FUTURE DEMAND PROJECTIONS
Aspen finalized an IRP in November of 2021, which is a robust plan to provide a safe, resilient, and reliable
water supply to its customers for years to come, while respecting the City's commitment to environmental
stewardship. The IRP evaluates potable and non -potable water supplies and demand projections through
the year 2070, considering a range of potential future conditions and ultimately selecting a planning
forecast and providing a water strategy.la It serves as the City's primary planning basis for potable and
non -potable programs, projects, and strategies and will be revisited and updated intermittently into the
future. Programs presented herein were selected to put Aspen on track to meet the level of efficiency
described in the IRP forecast year and beyond. Because the planning duration of a WEP is much shorter
than the IRP forecast period, it is important for Aspen to monitor its conservation programs and water
use annually and to update this WEP intermittently to re-evaluate water use conditions and conservation
programs as they relate to the longer -term planning goals.
The City recently prepared a DMRP, another tool the City uses to manage the supplies that are available
under the City's current surface water system operations. The DMRP provides a framework for Aspen to
use water sustainably, particularly during drought and other conditions that create a water shortage.
Water shortage occurs when water demands exceed available water supplies and is often driven by a
combination of snowpack and precipitation conditions, temperature, and water use. Implementation of
the DMRP supports the wise use of water under all conditions, helps preserve essential public services,
and minimizes the adverse effects of a water supply emergency on public health and safety,
environmental resources, economic activity, and individual lifestyles. The DMRP works in concert with the
WEP and programs implemented through the WEP, such as the WELS. These plans and programs
encourage the efficient use of water at all times by establishing "normal" condition guidelines that are in
place unless restrictions are imposed through action by City Council.
3.1 FUTURE POTABLE DEMAND PROJECTIONS
The purpose of this WEP is to identify conservation programs and activities that support the long-term
demand (including NRW) reduction goals identified in the IRP. For the City's IRP, ELEMENT used the
average annual potable water use data for 2012 through 2019 to develop a 2020 baseline water demand,
including NRW. Using a population -based projection method, six unique 2070 water demand projections
were prepared to provide a demand projection "envelope" for 2070 planning. Figure 9 below shows
historical potable water production and the extent of the projected demand envelope, which represents
projected production demands. The high -end projection represents high growth rate, increased outdoor
water demand from climate change impacts, relatively low levels of conservation savings, and a moderate
reduction in the City's NRW levels. Alternatively, the low range reflects a low growth rate, no impacts
from climate change, and moderate reductions in projected demands through conservation and NRW
reductions.
"$ For purposes of this WEP, "demand projections" include NRW.
ELEMENT Water Consulting PAGE 20
10,000
9,000
8,000
7,000
a
6,000
v
w
5,000
0
v
E 4,000
0
3,000
2,000
1,000
DRAFT - CITY OF ASPEN MUNICIPAL WATER EFFICIENCY PLAN
FEBRUARY 3, 2023
1995 2005 2015 2025 2035 2045 2055 2065
—Historical Production — gh End Projection (Scenario F) —Low-End Projection
Figure 9. Historical Prop' • and Potable Water DemandAt*dia, Including NRW through 2070.
Future
Demand
Projection
Envelope
The following section documents the general approach that was used to prepare a 2070 potable water
demand projection envelope for the IRP and the method used to prepare a demand savings projection at
2030, including reductions in NRW.
3.1.1 2030 DEMAND PROJECTION
For the IRP, a baseline demand projection and six (6) demand scenarios were developed to provide a
demand envelope of potential potable water demands in 2070, as shown in Figure 9. For each of the six
projection scenarios, five separate drivers that influence demands were used to adjust the Metered
Customer Account demands under future conditions:
1. Population Growth and Visitor Occupancy
2. Climate Change
3. Efficiency and Conservation
4. NRW
5. Adjustments to Aspen's "Other" categories
The IRP provides a plan to meet or mitigate the highest demand projection (referred to in the IRP as
"Scenario F"), which included the following driver assumptions that were applied to the 2020 baseline
water demand to calculate the 2070 total demand shown in Table 6 below.
ELEMENT Water Consulting PAGE 21
DRAFT - CITY OF ASPEN MUNICIPAL WATER EFFICIENCY PLAN
FEBRUARY 3, 2023
970 Demand and NRW Projection Drivers fcrScenaric F(IRP, 2021).
Climate
Efficiency and
Drivers:
Growth Rate
Change Impact
Conservation
NRW
2070
% Increase in
%
%
Total
Potential Level Future
Metered
%Increase in
Decrease
Decrease
% of Total
Demand
Demand Relative to
Customer
Outdoor
in Indoor
In Outdoor
Production
(AF/yr)
Baseline
Accounts
Demands
Demands
Demands
Scenario F
1.8%
25%
2%
5%
20%
9,281
The selected demand projection represents a high growth rate, increases in outdoor demands influenced
by climate change, and relatively low levels of conservation. The projection also assumes that the total
NRW will be 20% of the total production in 2070. In 2020, NRW accounted for about 29% of the total
production, which serves as a baseline condition in the demand projection.
The IRP then evaluates six different supply and demand reduction portfolios to address a potential future
supply gap created under the demand projection compared to current conditions and available supplies.
The portfolio recommended for implementation in the IRP (referred to in the IRP as "Portfolio 6") includes
"Enhanced Conservation" to reflect the City's implementation of enhanced conservation strategies to
decrease future demands and offset some additional supply needs. Portfolio 6 also includes operational
storage, groundwater, and non -potable reuse components and projects to mitigate the future supply -
demand gap. This Enhanced Conservation assumes the City will adopt more aggressive conservation
programs with higher savings than were included in the "Efficiency and Conservation" demand driver that
was used to prepare the future demand envelope. Figure 10 below shows how the projected demand
would be reduced through Enhanced Conservation by 2070.
ELEMENT Water Consulting PAGE 22
10,000
9,000
5,000
r 7,000
LL
a
6,000
v
�v
0
5,000
0
v
E 4,000
/A
> 3,000
2,000
1,000
DRAFT - CITY OF ASPEN MUNICIPAL WATER EFFICIENCY PLAN
FEBRUARY 3, 2023
1995 2005 2015 2025 2035 2045 2055 2065
-Historical Production -High Fnd Projection (Srenarin F)
-Low-End Projection Projection with Enhanced Conservation (Portfolio 6)
Figure 10, Historical Production and Demand Projection. including NRW, with Enhanced Water Consenradon
Planning Scenario through 2070.
For this WEP, Aspen has identified a demand reduction goal at 2030 that aligns with the Enhanced
Conservation and NRW assumptions included in the IRP Portfolio 6 demand projection. The total demand
reduction goal in 2070 was calculated as the difference between the Scenario F (high -end) and Portfolio
6 demands in 2070 and was then distributed annually to determine a target demand reduction of 265
acre-feet (AF) relative to the Scenario F (high -end) projection for 2030 projection. Assuming that the high
population and climate drivers that Aspen is planning for do occur, approximately 265 AF of water need
to be saved by 2030 in addition to the NRW percentage being reduced to 20% or lower. To achieve the
NRW reduction by 2030, the potable production needs to be reduced, through programs targeting NRW,
by an additional 255 AF relative to the Scenario F (high -end) projection for 2030. Between the two
reduction goals, a total of approximately 520 AF of water savings, i.e., demand reduction, relative to the
Scenario F (high -end) projection for 2030. The 2030 demand projection is represented as the green star
in Figure 10 above. If the future impacts of any of the demand drivers are less than projected, specifically
those influencing a higher demand growth or impacts from climate change, the future demands would
decrease from the projected level (e.g., slower growth rate would influence a lower future demand), in
turn reducing the necessary demand reductions to meet the potential future supply gap. Conversely, a
higher growth rate or climate change impact may require additional conservation. The City will continue
to monitor potable demands and may modify projections based on changing conditions over time.
4. SELECTED WATER EFFICIENCY ACTIVITIES
Aspen staff and customers have historically demonstrated a high level of dedication to the efficient use
of natural resources, including water, and it is anticipated that this commitment will continue. Aspen's
water efficiency program is designed to meet relatively near -term water use reduction goals that are
aligned with the City's long-term IRP water use reduction goals. A set of recommended conservation and
ELEMENT Water Consulting PAGE 23
DRAFT -CITY OF ASPEN MUNICIPAL WATER EFFICIENCY PLAN
FEBRUARY 3, 2023
efficiency activities are described below and were designed to support two distinct programs. The "Water
Loss Control Program" focuses on identifying and reducing water loss and NRW within the City's system.
The "Enhanced Water Conservation Program" focuses on outdoor water use, particularly programs that
can result in outdoor water use reductions during the summer irrigation season. While Aspen's current
indoor water use is already relatively low, in part due to a significant amount of remodeling throughout
the City that has resulted in updates to higher efficiency plumbing fixtures and appliances, some activities
presented herein do target additional indoor savings.
4.1 NEW WATER EFFICIENCY ACTIVITIES
The City has identified the following new water efficiency activities to supplement the ongoing activities
described above.
4.1.1 WATER LOSS AND CONSERVATION COORDINATOR
Establishing a water conservation coordinator is a foundational best practice for water utilities. The City
will hire a full-time water conservation program coordinator within the Utilities Department to be
responsible implementing the WEP, including the annual 1051 data reporting, maintaining the AWWA
M36 Tracker, maintaining the Efficiency Monitoring Tool and preparing annual conservation reports, and
updating the WEP every 7 years. As the City builds upon its already robust conservation program, it is
critical to have a designated staff person to administer it. Because so many of the related efforts are
currently managed within the City's Utilities Department, this position will likely be within the Utilities
Department, working closely with Utilities staff and staff across other departments as needed.
4.1.2 WATER LOSS CONTROL PROGRAM
The City's Water Loss Control Program is a collection of foundational activities focused on reducing the
City's NRW level by eliminating real water loss and using advanced metering technologies to reduce
apparent water losses. The goal for this program is to reduce water loss by about 273 AF annually by 2030
relative to the high -end demand projection for 2030, which includes NRW.
Advanced Metering Infrastructure Installation and Operation: In 2018, with the support of contractors,
Aspen began designing an AMI project to convert all customer water accounts to AMI. The goal of AMI is
to provide the Utilities Department with near real-time water usage data and allow customers to make
informed choices about water usage. A portion of this project has been funded through a U.S. Bureau of
Reclamation (USBR) WaterSmart Water and Energy Efficiency Grant. In its customer outreach, the City is
referring to the project as "AIM", which stands for Aspen Intelligent Metering. The new infrastructure is
expected to be implemented and operational by 2023.
AMI Communication Plan: The City began public outreach efforts in
the spring of 2019 to communicate the upcoming AIM Project with
utility customers. With assistance from a contracted public outreach
specialist, educational materials developed to date include project
branding, an informational website, bill inserts, and customer letters
readily available online and distributed to all utility customers. The
communication plan is funded in part through the City's USBR
WaterSmart grant.
AIMi
ASPEN INTELLIGENT METERING
ELEMENT Water Consulting PAGE 24
DRAFT - CITY OF ASPEN MUNICIPAL WATER EFFICIENCY PLAN
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Distribution Zone Sub -Metering: The City will install new meters throughout its distribution system to
sub -meter each billing zone separately. This program is intended to isolate system losses within a zone to
better identify and repair real losses in the City's system. This may also help the City identify and resolve
apparent losses isolated to a specific billing zone. City staff will monitor sub -meter data and compare
against the associated water use billing data within each zone. Losses within each zone will be quantified
and used to inform subsequent water loss investigations within that zone. Through these investigations,
the City plans to quickly fix any identified leaks or otherwise resolve identified issues contributing to loss
within the system.
Meter Replacement and Testing: Prior to initiation of the AMI project, approximately 18% of Aspen's
existing customer water meters were identified as being incompatible with the AMI system upgrades and
a number were also non -compliant with current City standards, requiring a replacement of approximately
700 water meters. The City funded a meter replacement for the identified meters under its USBR
WaterSMART grant to include meter equipment and installation. As the City replaces these meters, it will
send a portion of the old meters to a third -party testing facility to quantify meter error levels and provide
a more accurate estimate of apparent losses from water metering inaccuracies that will be remedied
through this meter replacement effort.
Water Bypass Valve Inspection and Lockout: A physical inspection of all water accounts will be completed
by water meter and distribution division staff. These inspections will prioritize commercial and multi -unit
accounts. Aspen will create a database that catalogs all bypass valve locations. If open bypass valves are
discovered, the bypass valve will be situated in the "closed" position and locked out/tagged out to prevent
unauthorized or unattended opening of the bypass valve. Large commercial and multi -unit accounts will
be prioritized for audit.
Water Data Management. The City currently tracks monthly billed potable water use and validates the
data annually. The City also completes M36 water loss audits annually that are validated through a third -
party. The City is committed to continue making improvements to water data tracking and validation. The
City will consider more frequent and consistent review of water data as it becomes available through
implementation of the AMI project, particularly as it relates to NRW and identifying real water loss. The
City will also continue to participate in the Colorado Water Loss Initiative and seek technical assistance
when available, such as with an upcoming annual Real Loss Data Analysis to audit a specific set of data
and internal record keeping.
4.1.3 ENHANCED WATER CONSERVATION PROGRAM
The City's Enhanced Water Conservation Program is a collection of water efficiency activities focused on
reducing the City's overall water use through efforts that are categorized as foundational, technical
assistance and incentives, regulatory, educational, and land use integration. Many of these activities focus
on reductions to outdoor water use across multiple customer use sectors. The City will target reductions
in outdoor use during the late summer irrigation months when a gap between available supplies and water
demand is most likely to occur. These activities provide valuable contributions to the management of the
City's water supplies and minimize the need for infrastructure investments, particularly storage. As shown
in Table 3 above, the single-family customer category has the most potential for significant outdoor
reductions. The goal for this program is to reduce water use annually by about 242 AF annually by 2030
relative to the high -end demand projection for 2030.
ELEMENT Water Consulting PAGE 25
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Conservation -Oriented Rate Study. Aspen initiated a new water rate study in September of 2022 which
will potentially change the billing rate structure to target efficient water use. The City will implement
findings from the new rate study starting in 2024.
Commercial Water Efficiency: Aspen has historically worked with commercial customers to message
efficient water use, specifically through the tourism industry. The City plans to increase engagement and
communication with its commercial customers to advance indoor fixture replacement and promote
indoor best practices to reduce water use. The City will develop and provide resources and materials for
commercial customers, primarily in the tourism sector, to communicate the importance of conservation
to visitors and will work across different industry sectors to target specific indoor uses. Industry -specific
examples include: the lodging industry to request visitors reuse towels and shorten showers, restaurants
only provide water upon request, handouts for guests or posting at restaurants, providing free kitchen
shut-off spray nozzles to restaurants, etc. The City will create a messaging campaign that includes
consistent information with targeted tips for efficiency and will distribute the materials free of charge to
commercial customers. The City may consider a targeted outreach campaign that would provide free
trainings or informational sessions for staff of specific industries to help build a more informed workforce.
The City will also evaluate how it may be able to utilize the Building IQ program, which Aspen recently
adopted to reduce community greenhouse gas emissions, to bolster commercial water efficiency.
Irrigation Audit and Equipment Rebates: Beginning in 2022, the City initiated an irrigation audit and
equipment rebate project, which is funded through a USBR Small -Scale Efficiency Project grant. Customers
who complete a City -sponsored irrigation audit can be reimbursed for a portion of the costs associated
with any irrigation system improvements based on audit recommendations, including:
• Integrating Smart Controllers to existing irrigation systems.
■ Replacing overhead spray with drip irrigation.
• Converting existing sprinkler heads to new high -efficiency sprinkler heads.
• Replacing high water -use plantings with low water -use plantings.
• Implementing recommendations provided in the irrigation assessment report.
Landscape Transformation/Conversion: Through education, giveaways, incentives, and rebates, Aspen
will encourage customers to retrofit existing landscape plant materials from higher water use plant types
(e.g., irrigated "turf" such as bluegrass and non-native or high-water use plants) to drought tolerant and
lower water use materials and to utilize more efficient irrigation systems. The City will utilize the
demonstration garden areas (further described below) to publicly promote low water use landscape
planting and efficient irrigation.
Neighborhood Water Service Agreements Compliance: Within the City's water service billing area, there
are multiple neighborhoods being served potable water through water service agreements, which place
specific ECU and water use limitations on the entire neighborhood. The City will utilize water use and
irrigated area data to determine compliance with volumetric and ECU limitations. Resolution of non-
compliance will be required to avoid system shutoffs.
Replacement of Irrigation Nozzles: The City will either supply or provide reimbursement for the
replacement of existing low -efficiency irrigation nozzles with high efficiency rotating nozzles that have
been defined by the City as a water -saving device. This program will initially target residential customers.
ELEMENT Water Consulting PAGE 26
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Target Highest Water Users: The City will develop a multi -pronged approach for continuing to identify
high water users, generally targeting a reduction of outdoor water use or wasteful water use. The City
may incentivize or require these customers to comply with a level of water use reduction that is in -line
with what would be required under the WELS.
Staff will complete outreach for the identified accounts, with the goal of working with these customers to
prepare a specific plan to improve efficiency. For many of these customers, outdoor use will be the highest
targeted reduction. In these cases, the City will work with customers to complete irrigation system audits,
support customers with irrigation rebate opportunities, and encourage landscape retrofits through the
City's landscape transformation project.
Advancing Water Efficient Landscape Standards: The City is continuously evaluating and improving upon
its WELS, which currently define landscaping and irrigation design and installation requirements for new
landscaping permits. The City will prepare an evaluation of landscapes that have been installed since the
onset of the WELS, comparing the actual water use to the water budgets that were approved. This
evaluation will be used to prepare recommendations for improvements to the existing WELS, including
topics such as reducing the landscape water budget, incorporating limits on irrigated turf, requirements
for non -potable water customers, and requirements for existing landscapes.
Irrigation -Only Customer Investigations: The City will investigate all irrigation -only account water use
data and irrigated areas to determine whether the water use is within the amount designated for its
equivalent capacity unit (ECU) rating. For accounts that are exceeding the water use designated for their
ECU rating, the City may mandate upgrades to water -saving irrigation equipment and/or payment of
additional tap fees. The City will consider if these accounts may qualify for the irrigation rebate program
if an irrigation system upgrade is mandated.
Customer Engagement, Education, and Outreach: Quarterly newsletters are sent to Qualified Water
Efficient Landscaper (QWEL) certified professionals through an ongoing contract with Water Now Alliance.
Aspen will continue to provide continuing education classes and programs to support the QWEL
certification requirements and will look for opportunities to expand this training to provide informational
resources to other professionals and individuals in the community. The City will also pursue opportunities
to share relevant information with its broader customer base through bill inserts, updated online
resources, etc. The City plans to update its webpage to include more water efficiency information and
references. The City will provide public education opportunities centering around its turf demonstration
project (described below) including new types of lower water use turf options, other native drought
tolerant or low water use landscaping materials, and efficient irrigation practices.
Messaging to Link Efficiency and Environmental Benefits: Creating an informed and emotional
connection between customer water use and supplies can help foster a culture of conservation. Better
understanding of how the same water supplies are depended upon for municipal use, recreational
activities, environmental health, and vulnerabilities to changing climate and weather patterns as well as
other natural disasters, can help develop this connection. The City will develop informational messages
about the Castle and Maroon Creek watersheds for inclusion in outreach materials. The IRP provides a
detailed evaluation of the City's primary water supplies and could be utilized to prepare a targeted
messaging campaign to educate the City's customers about these watersheds.
ELEMENT Water Consulting PAGE 27
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Rain Barrel Outreach and Giveaway. Under current Colorado water law, while it is unlikely that rain
barrels can eliminate the need for at least intermittent irrigation from other sources; however, they can
effectively offset irrigation needs for small areas of low water use plant materials during certain times and
promote a water conservation ethic. The City's WELS incentivize the use of rain barrels when used to
irrigate low or very low water use plantings with drip irrigation. The City will further promote the use of
rain barrels by sponsoring a residential rain barrel outreach program to provide educational materials to
participants who qualify under Section 37-96.5-103 of the Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.). Any
customer completing a training session will receive one free 55-gallon rain barrel and access to purchase
a second 55-gallon rain barrel at a discounted price.
Turf Demonstration Project. In 2016, to demonstrate the potential reduction in water use that can occur
when converting irrigated turfgrass to lower -water use plantings, the City replaced approximately 800
square -feet of bluegrass with low-water use plantings. The City will apply lessons learned from that
project in new a demonstration project that will include the redesign of a public demonstration garden to
showcase four orfive low- to moderate -water -use grasses and other native or low-water use plants suited
for the local climate and elevation. The City will manage water supplies to the demonstration garden and
measure the water use to determine which of the grass types can save water and to what extent while
maintaining a healthy landscape. The area will be utilized to hold public education events and will have
informational signage specific to each of the plants presented. Annual lunch and learn opportunities for
community members may also be incorporated with this project.
4.2 WATER EFFICIENCY PROGRAM AND PROJECTED WATER SAVINGS
Table 7 presents the City's full suite of ongoing and new water efficiency activities selected for the 2022
WEP, categorized as part of the Water Loss Control Program or the Enhanced Water Conservation
Program The estimated program savings represent anticipated water savings from new activities and
additional savings (not already reflected in the estimated water savings achieved to date) from ongoing
activities.
ELEMENT Water Consulting PAGE 28
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Table 7. New and c _-„ ;:_ Water Efficiency Programs, Ac. ; and Water Savings Estimates,
Activity
Program
Estimated
Classification
Category
Water Efficiency Activity
Program
Savings
All Programs
Water Loss and Conservation Coordinator
New
NA
Acoustic Leak Survey
Ongoing
Advanced Metering Infrastructure Installation and
Operation
New
AMI Communication Plan
New
Distribution Zone Sub -metering
New
cWater
Loss
Fill Station Metering
Ongoing
+ �
Control
Cl
273 AF
Program
Meter Replacement and Testing
New
�o
Reactive Leak Repair
Ongoing
Supply Meter Testing— Volumetric Displacement
Water Bypass Valve Inspection and Lockout
Ongoing
Water Data Management
New
Water Loss Audit (M36)
Ongoing
Conservation -Oriented Rate Study
New
Commercial Water Efficiency
New
c
Inverted Four -Tier Billing Rate
Ongoing
Fixture and Appliance Incentives/Rebates
Ongoing
rIrrigated
Area Assessments*
Ongoing
N
Irrigation Audits (Residential, City Facilities, and
a
Parks)*
Ongoing
Irrigation Audit and Equipment Rebates*
New
C u
Landscape Transformation/Conversion
New
m
Neighborhood Water Service Agreements
wCompliance*
New
m
Replacement of Irrigation Nozzles
New
m
Target Highest Water Users*
New
Enhanced
Advancing Water Efficient Landscape Standards*
New and Ongoing
°a
Water
Conservation
Drought Management Plan
Ongoing
246 AF
$ °
Program
Irrigation -Only Customer Investigations
New
c
Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper Certification
Ongoing
O °C
Waste of Water Ordinance
Ongoing
Water Shortage Section of Municipal Code
Ongoing
Community Outreach Event Participation
Ongoing
d
Customer Engagement, Education, and Outreach
New
Messaging to Link Efficiency and Environmental
a
Benefits
New
Public Information, Customer Outreach and
Education
Ongoing
i9
Rain Barrel Outreach and Giveaway*
New
Turf Demonstration Project
New
Utility Billing Inserts & Online Information
Ongoing
TOTAL EFFICIENCY PROGRAM SAVINGS PROJECTION
S19 AF
*Indicates activities with a land use component.
ELEMENT Water Consulting PAGE 29
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5. PLAN IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING
The City's Utilities Department staff are responsible for the implementation of this plan and will continue
to work collaboratively with other City departments to operate ongoing efficiency activities and
implement new activities identified in this plan. The City will continue to budget money and may pursue
CWCB water efficiency and other grants to further achieve its water efficiency goals.
5.1 PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
A general approach for implementing the City's water efficiency activities is provided in Table 8 below.
The implementation plan will be managed by the Water Loss and Conservation Coordinator. In the
interim, the implementation plan will be managed as a coordinated effort by the City's Utilities
Department staff. The plan will be regularly updated as additional information becomes available.
Activities will continue to be evaluated through the process of updating the annual Efficiency Monitoring
Tool and the AWWA M36 Tracker.
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Table 8: Planned l4laterFffrciency° Program Impler.�enrarror.
Program
Category
Water EfficiencyPlanned
Activity
2023
Implementation Year
2024
2025
All Programs
Water Loss and Conservation Coordinator
X
X
Acoustic Leak Survey
X
X
X
Advanced Metering Infrastructure Installation
and Operation
X
X
X
AMI Communication Plan
X
X
X
Distribution Zone Sub -metering
X
X
X
Water Loss
Control
Fill Station Metering
X
X
X
Program
Meter Replacement and Testing
X
Water Bypass Valve Inspection and Lockout
X
X
X
Water Data Management
X
X
X
Water Loss Audit (M36)
X
X
X
Conservation -Oriented Rate Study
X
Commercial Water Efficiency
X
Inverted Four -Tier Billing Rate
X
X
X
Fixture and Appliance Incentives/Rebates
X
X
X
Irrigated Area Assessments
X
X
X
Irrigation Audits (Residential, City Facilities, and
Parks)
X
X
X
Irrigation Audit and Equipment Rebates
X
X
X
Landscape Transformation/Conversion
X
X
Neighborhood Water Service Agreements
Compliance
X
X
X
Replacement of Irrigation Nozzles
X
X
Target Highest Water Users
X
X
X
Enhanced Advancing Water Efficient Landscape Standards
X
X
X
Water Drought Management Plan
X
X
X
Conservation
Irrigation -Only Customer Investigations
X
X
Program
Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper Certification
X
X
X
Waste of Water Ordinance
X
X
X
Water Shortage Section of Municipal Code
X
X
X
Community Outreach Event Participation
X
X
Customer Engagement, Education, and Outreach
X
X
X
Messaging to Link Efficiency and Environmental
Benefits
X
X
Public Information, Customer Outreach and
Education
X
X
X
Rain Barrel Outreach and Giveaway
X
X
Turf Demonstration Project
X
X
X
Utility Billing Inserts & Online Information
X
X
X
ELEMENT Water Consulting PAGE 31
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FEBRUARY 3, 2023
5.2 PLAN MONITORING
Aspen will review and update this WEP at least every seven years, or as needed. The City monitors water
use on a regular basis and will continue to maintain these records. The City will continue to utilize the
AWWA M36 Tracker to monitor potable water production, water use, and NRW trends. The data are
reviewed and validated annually, typically by February for the previous year, and are relied upon for the
annual M36 audit. Water data tracking will continue to be critical for Aspen to manage supplies and inform
operations, and to assess how current conditions are tracking with the long-term planning conditions
defined under the IRP.
At least annually, shortly after the AWWA M36 Tracker is validated, the Efficiency Monitoring Tool is
updated to tabulate active water efficiency activities for the same year. Where possible, metrics for each
activity are updated to summarize implementation (e.g., number of rebates awarded, number of leaks
found and repaired, etc.), estimate water savings, and track costs. Activities will be adjusted as needed to
support the demand (including NRW) reduction goals defined in this plan to support water supply
reliability.
6. PUBLIC REVIEW, ADOPTION, AND APPROVAL OF WATER EFFICIENCY PLAN
A public review process is required for all State approved WEPs and the plan must be formally adopted by
the local governing entity. The following sections describe the review, adoption, and approval process for
this WEP.
6.1 PUBLIC REVIEW
Public participation and action are critical to the success of the City's water efficiency efforts. A public
review process of no less than sixty days after the date on which the draft plan is made publicly available
is required for all CWCB-approved plans per C.R.S. 37-60-126 (5). The City posted a draft copy of the draft
WEP on their website on December 2, 2022 followed by a 60-day public review and comment period
ending January 31, 2023. One set of public comments were received. A summary of the City's public
review notification, public comments received, and the City's response public comments are included as
Appendix A.
6.2 WATER EFFICIENCY PLAN ADOPTION
[This section will be updated following Council review].
6.3 WATER EFFICIENCY PLAN APPROVAL
[This section will be updated following CWCB review].
7. COMPLIANCE WITH STATE PLANNING REQUIREMENTS
C.R.S. Section 37-60-126 requires a covered entity to develop, adopt, make publicly available, and
implement a water conservation plan that will encourage its domestic, commercial, industrial, and public
facility customers to use water more efficiently. According to the statute, a "covered entity" is a
"municipality, agency, utility, including any privately owned utility, or other publicly owned entity with a
ELEMENT Water Consulting PAGE 32
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legal obligation to supply, distribute, or otherwise provide water at retail to domestic, commercial,
industrial, or public facility customers, and that has a total annual demand for such customers of two
thousand acre-feet or more." Aspen meets the statutory definition of a covered entity.
According to the statute, key elements that must be evaluated through the plan development are listed
below:
A. Water -saving measures and programs including:
1. Water -efficient fixtures and appliances;
2. Low water use landscapes, drought -resistant vegetation, removal of phreatophytes,
and efficient irrigation;
3. Water -efficient industrial and commercial water -using processes;
4. Water reuse systems;
5. Distribution system leak identification and repair;
6. Information and education;
7. Conservation -oriented rate structures and billing systems;
8. Regulatory measures designed to encourage water conservation;
9. Incentives to implement water conservation techniques including rebates.
B. Role of conservation in entity's supply planning.
C. Plan implementation, monitoring, review, and revision.
D. Future review of plan within seven years.
E. Estimated savings from previous conservation efforts as well as estimates from
implementation of current plan and new plan.
F. Best management practices for water demand management, water efficiency, and water
conservation that may be implemented through land use planning efforts.
G. A 60-day minimum public comment period (or other time period based on local
ordinance).
7.1 CITY OF ASPEN WATER EFFICIENCY PLAN COMPLIANCE
The City of Aspen developed the 2022 WEP to comply with C.R.S. Section 37-60-126. Each element of
compliance is documented below.
A. Consideration of specific water efficiency measures.
1. Fixtures and appliances: The City has carefully considered and evaluated the costs and
benefits associated with giveaways, rebates, and incentives to encourage more rapid
adoption of efficient technology, and continues to offer incentives for replacing
WaterSense labeled fixtures and appliances.
2. Outdoor water efficiency: The City's Enhanced Water Conservation Program was
designed to aggressively pursue outdoor water efficiency activities. Many of the
activities identified herein target outdoor water use including irrigation rebates,
landscape transformation, and irrigation nozzle installations. The City's WELS require
that all new or redesigned landscapes meet a indxirnurn water budget. The City Is
consistently evaluating the WELS and preparing updates to rontinue advancing
outdoor efficiency through mandated standards.
3. Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional (CII) measures: Aspen has historically
worked with commercial customers to message efficient water use, specifically
through the tourism industry. The City's Commercial Water Efficiency project focuses
ELEMENT Water Consulting PAGE 33
B.
C.
Q
E.
DRAFT -CITY OF ASPEN MUNICIPAL WATER EFFICIENCY PLAN
FEBRUARY 3, 2023
on increasing indoor efficiency through audits to identify system improvements,
recommend best practices, and target messaging for certain sectors (e.g. hotels,
restaurants, etc.). Through this project, the City will evaluate how it can utilize the
Building IQ program to bolster a commercial water efficiency program.
4. Water reuse systems: The City plans to provide educational opportunities to its
customers through rain barrel outreach and giveaways. While this alternative supply
does not reasonably provide a reliable offset to potable supply, it does provide further
customer engagement. The City provides raw water supplies for irrigation and for
snowmaking. The City has decreed the right to divert and use treated wastewater
effluent and has constructed portions of a reclaimed water system to exercise this
right. Completion and operation of the reuse project that was included in Portfolio 6,
the City's selected planning portfolio as defined in the City's IRP.
5. Water loss and system leakage_ seduction: The City's Water Loss Control Program was
designed to investigate, evaluate, identify, and reduce NRW through the associated
activities. The City has been actively investigating and addressing its NRW levels over
at least the past 5 years and will continue to prioritize these efforts.
6. Information and public education: The City regularly provides information to
customers about ways to conserve water and avoid water waste through
participation at community forums, flyers and bill inserts, and the utility maintains
conservation materials and information that are available upon request. Through
implementation of this plan, key messaging components will be prepared and
included through the advancement of the City's ongoing efforts.
7. Water rate structure: Aspen currently bills most of its customers monthly using a four -
tier inclining block rate structure. The City will complete a conservation -oriented rate
study during the first year of plan implementation and will adjust its billing structure
based on the final recommendations.
8. RegulatorV measures: Aspen maintains a water waste ordinance, water conservation
building code, Water Efficient Landscaping Standards, and drought response
regulation.
9. incentives: Under this WEP, the City will implement an irrigation equipment rebate
project, provide free rain barrels for customers attending targeted training, and will
advance incentives under its landscape transformation project.
Role of conservation in the City's supply planning. Aspen has integrated conservation
throughout its various planning documents. This WEP was designed to work in concert
with the City's recently completed IRP, which serves as its driving planning document, the
City's DMRP, and the WELS.
Plan implementation, monitoring, review, and revision. The City monitors water use on
a regular basis and will continue to do so. The City produces monthly and annual demand
reports for each customer sector and the system as a whole and keeps close track of water
production and water use. Aspen will review and update this water efficiency plan every
seven years or as needed. During the review, progress toward achieving the stated
conservation goal will be evaluated.
Future review of plan within seven years. Aspen will review and update this water
efficiency plan every seven years or as needed.
Estimated savings from previous conservation efforts and current plan. The 2015 WEP
identified a total savings goal of 583 AFY by 2035, which is a total reduction of 14% over
20 years. Linearly interpolating, the savings at 2019 underthe 2015 WEP that would have
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needed to be achieved was 123 AF/yr. From 2014 to 2019, Aspen reduced its annual total
potable water use by about 116 AF/yr, or about 4% as compared to the City's 2019 uses,
which is on target with the 2015 WEP goal. By 2030, the City projects a total estimated
savings of 519 AF/yr through implementation of the 2022 WEP.
F. Water efficiency and conservation that may be implemented through land use planning.
The City is continuously evaluating and improving upon its WELS, which currently define
landscaping and irrigation design and installation requirements for new landscaping
permits. Aspen will implement a project to target its highest water use account through
a three -pronged data -driven approach. The City will work directly with these customers
to reduce wasteful or inefficient water use. The City will also evaluate neighborhoods for
compliance with their specific water delivery agreements.
G. Public comment period. A 60-day public review process was held from December 2, 2022
through January 31, 2023 as described herein.
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8. REFERENCES
AWWA 2016. M36 Water Audits and Loss Control Programs, Fourth edition. Copyright 2016 American
Water Works Association. Prepared by the American Water Works Association. 2016.
CDSS Precipitation and Temperature: CWCB/DWR Climate Data Website.
https://www.colorado.gov/cdss/climate-data.
CWW: Colorado WaterWise Guidebook of Best Practices for Municipal Water Conservation in Colorado.
Prepared by Aquacraft Inc. Prepared with Support from Colorado Water Conservation Board.
October 2010.
DMRP 2020: City of Aspen Drought Mitigation and Response Plan. Prepared for the City of Aspen by
ELEMENT Water Consulting Inc. July 2020.
IRP 2021: City of Aspen Integrated Water Resource Plan. Prepared for the City of Aspen by Carollo in
association with ELEMENT Water Consulting Inc. and Ross Strategic. November 2021.
Regional WEP: Roaring Fork Watershed Regional Water Efficiency Plan. Prepared by ELEMENT Water
Consulting and WaterDM. November 2015.
Title 25: City of Aspen Municipal Code, Title 25 — Utilities. Last updated in January 2020,
United States Drought Monitor: United States Drought Monitor Map Website.
htt s'/droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap.aspx.
USGS Streamflow: USGS National Water Information System Site Inventory for Colorado Website.
httys://waterdata.usgs.gov/co/nwis/inventory.
WEP 2015: City of Aspen Municipal Water Efficiency Plan. Prepared for the City of Aspen by ELEMENT
Water Consulting Inc. and WaterDM. October 2015.
ELEMENT Water Consulting PAGE 36
DRAFT
APPENDIX A
Public Notice, Public Comments Received, and Responses
to Public Comments
DRAFT - CITY OF ASPEN MUNICIPAL WATER EFFICIENCY PLAN
FEBRUARY 3, 2023
PUBLIC NOTICE ANNOUNCEMENT
A public notice was published on December 2, 2022 on the City of Aspen website:
https•/Iwww.asiiencomm unitvvoice.com/aspens-water-efficiency -pla n
Comments were submitted to the City through an online "Questions & Comments" form and were
accepted through January 31, 2023. Below is a screen capture of Aspen's Water Efficiency Plan public
notice announcement and comment request form.
Aspen's Water Efficiency Plan UpdaL.
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Page A-1
DRAFT - CITY OF ASPEN MUNICIPAL WATER EFFICIENCY PLAN
FEBRUARY 3, 2023
PUBLIC COMMENTS
During the 60-day public review and comment period, the City received one set of comments via the
Questions & Comments form shown above, which are provided on the following pages.
Page A-2
DRAFT -CITY OF ASPEN MUNICIPAL WATER EFFICIENCY PLAN
ASPEN WATIER. EFFICIENCY PLA UN-•CONZflE Tl
Dear Rvan.
FEBRUARY 3, 2023
I have digested and studied the Aspen Water Efficiency.
Plan- and after my analysis. I contact John Musick-. who sen-ed as the City and C'ounty' s water attorney for
about ? decades. He was hired during my first term as Mayor in 1973 and served Herman Edel and Bill
Stirling's administrations as well, There is. in my mind., no better authority on Aspens water- and in tact
the enure Colorado River Basin
He and I have drafted the following comments to the A[V P for YOUr and the Councii's con}ide a, Lion.
I hope you will take them m the spirit they are offered. and im tale offense to soine obviously contrary
suggestions_
Sincerely
Sacy Standley_ Mayor_ 1973-1979
In the period 1973 through 1991 John served Stacy Standley' s council folloiaed by Hers Edel and Then
Bill Stirling. All 3 of these city councils and Piddn County Commissioner were focused on the proper
balance of fairness_ groteth and prosperity based in no small part on a complete understanding of the
intricacies of the -Vater - Energy - Food - Climate - Society NEXUS'-. We developed and implemented
tmith strong public support the Aspen first Cainpreheasit'e C4°ater and Energy Management P1aii That
plan seized the City and County well for decades. Now is the time to take a giant step into the future with
revolutionary ideas that transcend the pamchiai local interests of the Roaring For River Valley. by
recognizing that Climate-W-eather Change along with population groarth has erased boundaries of the
Colorado River Basin. Aspen is now the pivotal -head«-aters' of the Colorado River Basin which has
become a small compacted —irrigation canal" instead of a great river spsteni that has shrunk many hundreds
of miles into but a few feet. and as such Aspen must take a major- significant role in the fitihire of the entire
Colorado River Basin by proposing in the new " eater Manage meat Piano- steps throughout the Colorado
Ricer Basin. It was in tiiat spirit that the following concepts are proposed for the new. Aspen [[Eater Ethic.
These concepts are based upon John Musick's years working on the entire Colorado Rimer System and
consulting tsith the very best minds of public policy- engineering and science anal water law. Every
concept has deeply embedded science. engineering. public policy and lath that are accepted knowledge.
Nets Aspen W ater Ethic " vVater - Energy - Food - Climate - Society NEXUS".
1. There should be 100% metering and billing of every drop of water: 7% of the Aspen distribution is un-
metered and'or unbilled and un-metered and should be eliminated.
?. You can not distribute or control what you do not measure: Metering and billing should be by constant
recorded instantaneous Sri Fi linked electronic services on all distribution points and reported to every
customer and the eater department on a instantaneous daily basis. ilith auto shutoffs for an aberration of
usage by 1% or mare.
3. U ,kistewater and storm water must be a Uly integrated part of the treated water supply system by
municipal rec )ling and -or irrigation and municipal water usage.
4. Dotvastream water flows which exceed miniimumr stream flour must be acquired and piped back into the
upstream Aspen intake.
5. Aspen and Pitkin county must negotiate with Twin Lakes Canal and Reservoir Company and Fry* ,Axk-
project to create eater savings for their service area which water can be allowed to stay in the Roaring Fork
River Valley_
Papa A-
DRAFT - CITY OF ASPEN MUNICIPAL WATER EFFICIENCY PLAN
FEBRUARY 3, 2023
6. Salvation Ditch. Red Mountain Ditch and all. other local irrigation systems should become a part of the
Aspen water conservation and reuse ethic.
7. 100% of all leaks and rater waste must be ended immediately.
S. Every tree. plant and natural out -of -house improvement nnsst be identified and the water usage
calculated by Lysimeter and or other instantaneous soil moisture storage measurement system and then a
local research and development lab created to test. grow and install eater conserving plants and sti-stems for
out -of -house water management and control.
9. All local streets should be coated itifln bright reflective surfaces to maintain a cooler Urbai3 Heat island
and thus improve out -of -house ivater usage.
11. Aspen should create its our bottled (no plastic) water supply for individual use from high quality
spring and distribute at least 2 gallons per person per day inside of city service area for drinking cater
usage at cost to increase the Aspen inciter supply,
12. Aspen should divert into vertically oriented pipeline coils (24 to 45 inch) in all. areas streams to capture
Hater runoff that exceeds minimum stream flows. and keep the vertical coiled pipelines at or above the city
base elevration for instantaneous "pipeline coil reservoir storage".
13. Every my or remodeled home and business must have installed an on -site water storage tam for at
least 3 months of driest month in-house water usage.
14. Aspen should participate individually and -'or uvith outer Colorado River Basin crater users in regional
ocean, salt flats and poor quality oil field u astewater.'"Produced crater (i.e.. Raneely Field and Utah basin)
purification desalination and urban wasteu ater recycling for earning water use credits.
15. Aspen should negotiate with Colorado Riser Basin Indian tribes to create constructive ivater .savings
and stater credit system for the benefit of Indian Resm ation and also Aspen water usage.
lb. Aspen should negotiate to replaced Colorado River Basin hydroelectric power generation with
renewable energy. to earn Iv. ater storage credits for regional reservoir.
Page A-4
DRAFT - CITY OF ASPEN MUNICIPAL WATER EFFICIENCY PLAN
FEBRUARY 3, 2023
CITY OF ASPEN RESPONSES TO PUBLIC COMMENTS
The City of Aspen prepared and provided the following response to the public comments received.
The City of Aspen appreciates the comments received. The comments have been reviewed and
acknowledged. Utilities'staff believe the updated Water Efficiency Plan and Aspen's Integrated Resource
Plan reflect wise water stewardship and responsible and efficient use of water resources. Responses to
specific items are provided below.
1. There should be 100% metering and billing of every drop of water: 7% of the Aspen distribution is un-
metered and/or unbilled and un-metered, and should be eliminated.
Response: Aspen endeavors to meter water provided to all permanent customers. Accounts associated
with the unmetered categories are typically homes in the remodel or construction process that do not
have the ability to install a physical meter. This condition is temporary, and all accounts are metered as
soon as feasible.
2. You can not distribute or control what you do not measure: Metering and billing should be by
constant recorded instantaneous Wi Fi linked electronic services on all distribution points and reported
to every customer and the water department on a instantaneous daily basis, with auto shutoff's for an
aberration of usage by 1% or more.
Response: Aspen has implemented advanced metering infrastructure in the connections to its water
customers. This system allows near -instantaneous tracking of consumption and this data is shared
transparently with customers through a web portal. This information allows both customers and the
utility to make informed resource -use decisions in real-time. Extra ordinary use is reviewed on a case -by -
case basis and communicated with the customer. The Water Loss Program described in the updated
Water Efficiency Plan further addresses this topic.
3. All wastewater and storm water must be a fully integrated part of the treated water supply system by
municipal recycling and -or irrigation and municipal water usage.
Response: Aspen includes these water sources within its integrated water system planning process.
4. Downstream water flows which exceed minimum stream flow must be acquired and piped back into
the upstream Aspen intake.
Response: This proposal is incompatible with current Colorado water law and cooperative regional
water planning efforts.
5. Aspen and Pitkin county must negotiate with Twin Lakes Canal and Reservoir Company and Fry -Ark
project to create water savings for their service area which water can be allowed to stay in the Roaring
Fork River Valley.
Response: Aspen and other regional partners communicate frequently with adjacent water managers
and continue to work collaboratively to find efficiencies and enhancements for both Aspen and the larger
region.
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DRAFT - CITY OF ASPEN MUNICIPAL WATER EFFICIENCY PLAN
FEBRUARY 3, 2023
6. Salvation Ditch, Red Mountain Ditch and all other local irrigation systems should become a part of the
Aspen water conservation and reuse ethic.
Response: Aspen regularly shares its values around water efficiency and conservation through ongoing
community outreach and public information activities. Water rights holders outside of Aspen's
jurisdictional authority are governed by the Colorado Division of Water Resources. The Educational
Activities under the Enhanced Water Conservation Program described in the updated Water Efficiency
Plan further address this topic.
7. 100% of all leaks and water waste must be ended immediately
Response: Aspen endeavors to proactively find and repair any system issues to prevent loss. Metering
calibration, leak surveillance, real-time system monitoring, and use of advanced metering infrastructure
are just some of the methods Aspen uses to minimize water waste. The Water Loss Program described in
the updated Water Efficiency Plan further addresses this topic.
8. Every tree, plant and natural out -of -house improvement must be identified and the water usage
calculated by Lysimeter and or other instantaneous soil moisture storage measurement system, and
then a local research and development lab created to test, grow and install water conserving plants and
systems for out -of -house water management and control.
Response: Aspen is a leader in creating the sustainable urban landscaping that is called for in the
recently updated Colorado Water Plan. Aspen has created the Water Efficient Landscape Standards
htt s: wwwv os en. ov DocumentCenter View 8928 WELS---Water-E icient-Landsca in -Standards-
October-2022-Revised-10132022 which guide new developments and substantial remodels in creating a
water budget and resilient landscape that furthers the community's conservation values. This and other
activities under the Enhanced Water Conservation Program described in the updated Water Efficiency
Plan further address this topic.
9. All local streets should be coated with bright reflective surfaces to maintain a cooler Urban Heat
island and thus improve out -of -house water usage.
Response: Aspen maintains a vibrant urban forest and is part of the Tree City USA program. These
efforts coupled with open space and land planning tactics greatly reduce the impact of urban heat within
Aspen.
11. Aspen should create its own bottled (no plastic) water supply for individual use from high quality
spring and distribute at least 2 gallons per person per day inside of city service area for drinking water
usage at cost to increase the Aspen water supply.
Response: in addition to the high -quality potable water supplied to any Aspen customer, Aspen has
created the Aspen I ap program and distributed publicly -available drinking fountains throughout the City
for citizens and visitors alike to enjoy.
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DRAFT - CITY OF ASPEN MUNICIPAL WATER EFFICIENCY PLAN
FEBRUARY 3, 2023
12. Aspen should divert into vertically oriented pipeline coils (24 to 48 inch) in all areas streams to
capture water runoff that exceeds minimum stream flows, and keep the vertical coiled pipelines at or
above the city base elevation for instantaneous "pipeline coil reservoir storage".
Response: Without a decreed water right, this proposal is -incompatible with current Colorado water law
and cooperative regional water planning efforts.
13. Every new or remodeled home and business must have installed an on -site water storage tank for at
least 3 months of driest month in-house water usage.
Response: This proposal is incompatible with current Colorado water law, cooperative regional water
planning efforts, and Environmental Protection Agency and Colorado Department of Health and
Environment drinking water standards.
14. Aspen should participate individually and/or with other Colorado River Basin water users in regional
ocean, salt flats and poor quality oil field wastewater/"Produced water (i.e., Rangely Field and Utah
basin) purification desalination and urban wastewater recycling for earning water use credits.
Response: Aspen and other regional partners communicate frequently with adjacent water managers
and continue to work collaboratively to find efficiencies and enhancements for both Aspen and the larger
region.
15. Aspen should negotiate with Colorado River Basin Indian tribes to create constructive water savings
and water credit system for the benefit of Indian Reservation and also Aspen water usage.
Response: Aspen and other regional partners communicate frequently with adjacent water managers
and continue to work collaboratively to find efficiencies and enhancements for both Aspen and the larger
region.
16. Aspen should negotiate to replaced Colorado River Basin hydroelectric power generation with
renewable energy to earn water storage credits for a regional reservoir.
Response: Currently, the City of Aspen owns and operates a 100% renewable energy portfolio for its
electric utility. Aspen continuously looks to refine and optimize renewable energy sources to benefit its
customers, align with community values, and provide larger regional benefits.
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