Date:
Final
COMMITTEE ON
| Votes: View--> | Action Taken: |
| <none> | <none> |
11:21 AM -- Update on the Colorado Water Conservation Board Precipitation Collection Pi
Rebecca Mitchell, Section Chief, Water Supply Planning Section, Colorado Water Conservation Board, explained that House Bill 09-1129 authorized a rainwater pilot project. The CWCB authorized one pilot project at the proposed Sterling Ranch residential development.
11:24 AM
Harold Smethills, President and CEO of Sterling Ranch LLC, discussed proposed Sterling Ranch residential development in Douglas County and described the Sterling Ranch water planning demand management and rainwater harvesting. He estimated that home in his development will use approximately 1 acre-foot for 7-8 homes. The reduced consumption is based on water efficient landscapes and use of rainwater harvesting. When fully implemented, 35 to 50 percent of irrigation demand will be filled from rainwater capture. Rep. Fischer asked a question that I missed, sorry. Rainwater harvesting is the way to go for new development and reduces the costs for stormwater management.
Rep. Fischer asked about where pilots can be located. Beorn Coutrney responded that they want them to be throughout the state. She then presented the pilot program timeline through 2024. She explained the costs to date including monitoring, fees, and out-of-pocket costs. They had not contemplated integrating stormwater management initially. She thinks the biggest barrier is the time to collect data and go to water court. She then presented recommendations which are included in the presentation. They support local development of demand management plans. They think that the state should fund some of the research and look into why utilities aren't taking on pilot projects.
11:49 AM
Kevin Rein responded to questions from the committee about HB 09-1129 pilot project and how they may help determine water augmentation requirements for rainwater harvesting.