HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/15/2024 - Water Commission - SUPPLEMENTAL DOCUMENTS - Regular MeetingWater
Wastewater
Stormwater
$20,453,549
$19,319,484
Budget
Actual
Operating Revenues
$17,491,393
$16,657,960
Budget
Actual
Operating Expenses
$15,802,117
$16,217,548
Budget
Actual
Operating Revenues
$10,873,762
$10,293,406
Budget
Actual
Operating Expenses
$12,400,000
$13,761,568
Budget
Actual
Operating Revenues
$6,750,931
$5,766,250
Budget
Actual
Operating Expenses
2
Water Fund Revenue
in thousands Percent of Year 66.7%
August Year to Date
Actual
Over/
(Under)Budget Actual
Over/
(Under) Inc/(Dec)
% Bud
Recvd % Act Recvd
2023 2023 Bud 2023 2023 2023 Bud 2022 2023 2022
Residential Water Sales $ 1,796 * $ (494) $ 11,545 $ 10,612 $ (933)
(A)$ (907) 59%61%
Com/Indl Water Sales 1,220 * (111) 5,945 5,803 (142)
(B)(507) 59%57%
Raw Water Surcharge 63 * 33 51 102 51 (78) 16%6%
District Water Sales 304 * 53 1,206 1,366 160 (64) 68%54%
Other Water Sales 23 * (41)597 360 (237)
(C)20 50%65%
PILOTs 199 (28) 1,110 1,077 (33)(81) 61%60%
Operating Revenue 3,605 (587) 20,454 19,319 (1,134)(1,617) 59%56%
Interest Revenue 142 34 802 1,193 391 694 113%106%
Development Fees/PIFs/Contributions 232 119 914 643 (271)
(D)(20) 47%36%
Financing Sources 0 0 0 0 0 (3)0%
Other Misc 14 (24)157 149 (9)11 50%39%
Total Lapsing Revenue**3,993 (459) 22,327 21,304 (1,023)(934) 60%57%
Non-lapsing Revenue 0 0 0
TOTAL**$ 3,993 $ 21,304 $ (934)
Variance Analysis:
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
(F)
*
**
Due to a lack of requests for water rentals.
Residential Water Sales were 8.1% under budget and 7.9% less than YTD 2022.
Note: Water rate increase of 4.0% for 2023, as budgeted.
Commercial/Industrial Water sales were 2.4% under budget and 8.0% less than YTD 2022.
August billed revenue is for July and early August.
Excludes transfers and unrealized gain/loss on value.
Plant Investment Fees $236 (recognized $449 from unearned revenue related to 2019 FCLWD loan prepayment), Water Rights ($90).
Plant Investment Fees ($208) and Water Rights ($56).
Irrigation Sales ($416) (water supply didn't yield as much due to fire impacts, so rented out less water) offset by Standpipe Sales $26.
3
Water Fund 2023 Department Expense
In thousands `Percent of Year 66.7%
Excludes depreciation and transfers
August Year to Date
Actual
(Over)/
Under YTD Bdgt Actual
(Over)/
Under (Inc)/Dec
Actual +
PO's
Spent &
Committed
2023 2023 Bud 2023 2023 2023 Bud 2022 2023 by PO's
Water Treatment $ 679 $ (78) $ 4,506 $ 3,991 $ 516
(A)$ 272 $ 7,284 101%
Water Resources 90 (13)1,808 2,044 (237)(B)(617) $ 2,225 66%
Water Quality Lab 76 36 767 682 85 33 $ 844 68%
Subtotal WR&T $ 845 $ (54)$ 7,081 $ 6,717 $ 364 $ (312) $ 10,353 87%
Transmission & Distribution 279 44 2,239 2,316 (77)(C)(412) $ 2,316 63%
Water Meters O&M 62 (1)772 586 186 (138) $ 756 71%
Engineering 33 34 730 402 328 (D)9 $ 477 44%
Subtotal WEFS 373 77 3,741 3,303 437 (542) $ 3,548 61%
Water Conservation 108 38 682 725 (43)(E)(132) $ 899 68%
PILOTs 200 28 1,111 1,077 34 81 $ 1,077 61%
Admin Services - CS&A 422 0 3,373 3,373 0 (457) $ 3,373 67%
Other Payments & Transfers 163 (14)1,504 1,463 42 (145) $ 1,525 58%
Subtotal Operating Expenses $ 2,111 $ 74 $ 17,491 $ 16,658 0 $ 833 $ (1,507) $ 20,776 73%
Debt Service 0 0 0 0 0 0 $ 0
Minor Capital 12 124 1,564 565 1,000
(F)261 $ 849 39%
Total Lapsing $ 2,123 $ 198 $ 19,056 $ 17,222 $ 1,833 $ (1,246) $ 21,625 71%
Non-lapsing Expenses 1,190 # 4,359 (1,226)
TOTAL $ 3,313 $ 21,581 $ (2,472)
Variance Analysis:
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
(F)
Water Assessments ($176) (vary, under ~$30 by YE), Personnel ($95) (allocation out error - net impact ~-$25 budget by YE & time charged to wrong BU), Contractual Labor ($74) (kept on retiree and backfilled, over
$90 by YE), and Other Prof. & Tech. ($5) ($40 for a new snow monitoring program, over by YE), offset by Consulting $117 (turnover delayed water supply modeling & lower cost vendor, under ~$125 by YE).
Consulting $257 ($266 Large Valve Maint behind schedule (PM departure), under ~$150-200 by YE), Personnel $49 (vacancy), and Other Prof.& Tech. $12 (as needed).
Chemicals $172 (cooler, rainier weather, under ~15% by YE), Contract Payment to Gov't $83 (not sure timing for Cameron Peak Fire - Watershed payments), Computer Hardware $53 (BFO Enh. 4.33: deciding we
didn't need the BI tool and servers delayed purchase, under ~$15 by year-end (YE), Personnel $46 (filled positions at lower steps, vacancies), Consulting $42 (needs being ID'd), Maint. Contracts $25 (saved ~$13 on
UPS unit maint.), Electricity $19 (lower demands, under ~$20 by YE), Construction Svcs $18 (under by $18 at YE), Contractual Labor $18 (less solids needed to be hauled = in-house this year; $18 under by YE), Other
Repair & Maint. $17, Conference/Travel $17 (due to staff transitions), Solid Waste Services $15 (less solids hauled this year - hauled later in the year last year, under $15 at YE), Software Maint. $17 (SCADA and LIMS
outstanding), Dues & Subscriptions $12 (waiting on Water Research Foundation membership invoice, flat by YE), and other smaller underspends, offset by Water Assessments ($53) (payments to Pleasant Valley
pipeline higher than what was budgeted for and paid later than usual due to manager transition; over ~$75-100 by YE and will offset in Chemicals), Parking Lot Maint. ($31) (unbudgeted repair, will offset in Const Svcs
& Other Repairs/Maint.), and Natural Gas ($26) (extended cold weather last winter and larger than expected price increase, over budget for the year, depends on fall weather; will offset in Electricity & Chemicals).
Street & Bridge Maint. ($26) (main breaks, asphalt/concrete costs high and Streets' rates increase more than our budgets; if recent main break rate persists, flat by YE), Sand & Gravel ($32) (main breaks, aggregate
prices inflating, over by $30-40 by YE), Vehicle Repairs ($26) (excavator track replacement expensive, Vac truck needed unforeseen repairs; no known major vehicle repairs needed, flat by YE), Copy & Reproduction
($16), and Postage & Freight ($10) (customer letters for backflow violation, over budget by YE), and Traffic Control ($13) (main breaks and Streets' price increases, over by YE), Tools & Related Supplies ($12) (more
spent on tools earlier in season as work ramped up; over by YE), offset by Personnel $25 (prior vacancies, offset by $52 overage in Hourlies to balance workload and standby, under ~$0-50 by YE), Other Prof. & Tech.
$14 (used as needed, nothing planned), Motor Fuel, Oil, and Grease $12 (conservative budget by Ops Svc, under ~$18 by YE), Education & Training $12 (under $10 by YE), and Solid Waste Services $10 (dirt hauling
= less, under ~$25 by YE); overages will be offset by underspends in Other Prof. & Tech., Solid Waste Services, Motor Fuel, Oil, and Grease, Water Pipe, and Personnel.
Transmission & Distribution $143 (CNG dialogue delayed tandem dump truck purchase); Water Treatment: Consulting $284, Construction Contracts $117, Other Capital Outlay $57, and Building Maint. $33 (delay in
implementing projects due to transition in leadership - needs being ID'd), Vehicles/Equipment $117 (waiting delivery of Ford Lightning and needs being fleshed out, likely to spend by YE), Filter Material $125 (not using
as much due to filter rehab projects; $150-175 savings by YE).
Water Efficient Landscape Rebates ($51) (used as match funding for XIP grants - appropriation timing vs budget distribution, would have been flat by YE, will be over $8-15 due to pre-award costs), and Personnel ($43
(filled vacancies at 35%+ range penetration - higher than budget; kept contractual person for WEP update on beyond initial offer, over budget by ~$50 YE), offset by Consulting $49 and Hi Efficiency Rebates $10; by
YE, overages will be offset by underspends in: $53 Consulting ($28 in optional services for water use management tools that won't be utilized, and $25 that is typically used as needed), $10 Hourly Personnel (lower
wages accepted), and $28 Hi Efficiency and Toilet Rebates (depending on customer participation).
4
Wastewater Fund Revenue
in thousands Percent of Year 66.7%
August Year to Date
Actual
Over/
(Under)Budget Actual
Over/
(Under) Inc/(Dec)
% Bud
Recvd % Act Recvd
2023 2023 Bud 2023 2023 2023 Bud 2022 2023 2022
Residential WW Sales $ 1,369 * $ 11 $ 10,899 $ 10,982 $ 84
(A)$ 387 67%69%
Com/Indl WW Sales 564 * (14) 3,614 3,810 196 (B)(51) 68%64%
District WW Sales 35 * 1 273 284 11 11 69%70%
Other WW Sales 41 * 17 130 236 106 (C)45 118%72%
PILOTs 118 (0)886 905 19 21 68%68%
Operating Revenue 2,128 15 15,802 16,218 415 412 68%68%
Interest Revenue 84 27 431 673 242 407 121%114%
Development Fees/PIFs/Contributions 52 (22)590 615 25 (D)257 69%34%
Financing Sources 00 0 0 0 0
Other Misc 3 (22)78 88 10 (30) 74%60%
Total Lapsing Revenue**2,267 (2) 16,901 17,594 693 1,045 69%67%
Non-lapsing Revenue 0 0 0
TOTAL**$ 2,267 $ 17,594 $ 1,045
Variance Analysis:
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)Bad Debt Recovery $23, Lab Services $16, and House Rental $12, offset by Ranch Income ($35).
*
**
Residential sales were 0.8% over budget and 3.7% more than YTD 2022.
Septage Treatment Charge $41.
Commercial/Industrial sales were 5.4% over budget and 1.3% less than YTD 2022.
Excludes transfers and unrealized gain/loss on value.
Plant Investment Fees $48 ($324 in March for 3 large multifamily units).
August billed revenue is for July and early August.
Note: Wastewater rate increase of 4.0% for 2023, as budgeted.
5
Wastewater Fund 2023 Department Expense
In thousands Percent of Year 66.7%
Excludes depreciation and transfers
August Year to Date
Actual
(Over)/
Under YTD Bdgt Actual
(Over)/
Under YTD (Inc)/Dec
Actual +
PO's
% Bud Spent &
Committed
2023 2023 Bud 2023 2023 2023 Bud 2022 2023 by PO's
Water Reclamation & Biosolids $ 550 $ (20) $ 4,267 $ 4,029 $ 237
(A)$ (345) $ 4,482 65%
Pollution Control Lab 74 32 814 776 38 (51)866 66%
Subtotal WR&T 624 12 5,080 4,805 275 (396)5,348 65%
Trunk & Collection 128 13 1,220 1,118 102 (63)1,141 57%
Engineering 42 (0)511 310 201 (B)173 444 60%
Subtotal WEFS 169 12 1,731 1,427 303 110 1,585 58%
PILOTs 118 (0)886 905 (19)(21)905 68%
Admin Services - CS&A 247 (0)1,977 1,977 (0)(265)1,977 67%
Other Payments & Transfers 129 (7)1,201 1,179 21 (212)1,211 54%
Subtotal Operating Expenses $ 1,287 $ 18 $ 10,874 $ 10,293 $ 580 $ (783) $ 11,025 63%
Debt Service 0 0 225 225 0 $ 34 225 10%
Minor Capital 656 98 1,336 866 470 (C)$ (158)1,119 72%
Total Lapsing $ 1,943 $ 115 $ 12,434 $ 11,384 $ 1,050 $ (906) $ 12,369 38%
Non-lapsing Expenses 1,515 2,679 36
TOTAL $ 3,459 $ 14,063 $ (870)
Variance Analysis:
(A)
(B)
(C)
Personnel $179 (Vacancies), Consulting $137 and Other Professional & Technical $72 (Vendor availability and revised purchasing guidelines, expecting to spend this year), Computer Hardware -
Capital $77 (MDT Autosave Software (BFO Enhancement 4.33: decided we didn't need the BI tool and servers, which delayed purchase, under budget ~$20), Plumbing and Irrigation Supplies $23 (Wet
weather has limited sprinkler audit and need. Will spend this year), Dues & Subscriptions $19 (Haven't gotten some membership renewals, yet. Starting to see invoices.), Land Maintenance Services
$15 (Awaiting invoices). Offset by Chemical Supplies ($212) (Spend on chemicals that do not have a budget. Needed for treatment and meeting regulatory permit requirements. Chemical pricing has
been affected by market conditions and supply chain. Reviewing cost savings in other operations items to offset), Electricity ($78) (Equipment needs to be replaced to meet process needs and be
energy efficient with blowers at MWRF, awaiting decision on MWRF. MWRF has increased flow due to construction at DWRF and NPT Final Clarifier project. Roughly estimated to be over budget
~$100K YE), Legal Services ($48) (Increased legal services needed for the Lazy D Water Rights case. Case is still ongoing), Natural Gas ($17) (Boilers were serviced, fall and winter temps will
determine year end spend).
Consulting $169 ($133 related to DWRF Utility Mapping - calendarized first 1/2 of year. Project should still be completed this year), Personnel $29 (Vacancies and PM’s time being billed to projects),
Other Professional & Technical $14. Offset by Construction Services ($24) (Savings expected to come from Consulting Services to offset).
Trunk & Collection $165 (~$51 is for the purchase of two CUES cameras. The remainder is expected to be spent on the purchase of a crew truck later this year.), Water Reclamation & Biosolids: Motor
Vehicles $149 (Outstanding PO. Will be completed by end of year), Plant & Garage Equipment $103 ($53 invoice unexpectedly accrued to 2022. Plan to use by year end), Other Equipment $15 (Used
as needed, Will spend by year end).
6
Stormwater Fund Revenue
in thousands Percent of Year 66.7%
August Year to Date
Actual
Over/
(Under)Budget Actual
Over/
(Under) Inc/(Dec)
% Bud
Recvd % Act Recvd
2023 2023 Bud 2023 2023 2023 Bud 2022 2023 2022
Single Family Residential SW Services $ 707 * $ 7 $ 5,600 $ 5,657 $ 57
(A)$ 218 67%70%
Non-single Family SW Services 864 * 14 6,800 6,891 91 (B)232 68%69%
Operating Revenue 1,572 22 12,400 12,548 148 450 67%70%
Interest Revenue 61 24 271 490 219 306 137%117%
Development Fees/PIFs/Contributions 78 6 583 698 115 (C)255 80%84%
Financing Sources 00 0 0 0 0
Other Misc 3 1 11 25 14 (D)(6) 164%59%
Total Lapsing Revenue**1,714 52 13,265 13,762 497 1,005 69%71%
Non-lapsing Revenue 0 0 0
TOTAL**$ 1,714 $ 13,762 $ 1,005
Variance Analysis:
Note: Stormwater rate increase of 3.0% for 2023, as budgeted.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
*
**
Development Inspection $20, Stormwater Development Fee $37, and Erosion Control $56.
Non-Single Family fees are 1.3% greater than 2022.
Single Family Residential fees are 1.0% greater than 2022.
Excludes transfers and unrealized gain/loss on value.
August billed revenue is for July and early August.
Auction Sales $6 (sale of flood warning truck), Flood Plain Permits $4 and Bad Debt Recovery $4.
7
Stormwater Fund 2023 Department Expense
In thousands Percent of Year 66.7%
Excludes depreciation and transfers
August Year to Date
Actual
(Over)/
Under Budget Actual (Over)/ Under (Inc)/Dec Actual + PO's
% Bud Spent &
Committed
2023 2023 Bud 2023 2023 2023 Bud 2022 2023 by PO's
Drainage and Detention $ 212 $ 6 $ 1,750 $ 1,409 $ 342
(A)$ (43)$ 1,589 61%
Engineering 105 57 1,384 1,005 379
(B)(97)1,153 54%
Stormwater Quality Programs 30 11 329 257 72 (C)3 404 59%
Admin Services - CS&A 296 23 2,532 2,367 165 (D)(328)2,367 67%
Other Payments & Transfers 85 (7) 755 729 27 (E)(160)760 37%
Subtotal Operating Expenses $ 728 $ 89 $ 6,751 $ 5,766 $ 985 $ (626)$ 6,273 57%
Debt Service 0000 011 0 0%
Minor Capital 0 0 1,065 231 834 (F)539 325 30%
Total Lapsing $ 728 $ 89 $ 7,816 $ 5,997 $ 1,818 $ (76) $ 6,597 43%
Non-lapsing Expenses 340 3,085 (1,100)
TOTAL $ 1,068 $ 9,082 $ (1,176)
Variance Analysis:
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
(F)
Personnel $64 (vacancies earlier in the year), Mowing $95 (timing of invoice payment), Street & Bridge Maintenance $25 (delay in invoice processing), Vehicle Repair $38
(reactionary),and Land Maintenance $46 (purchasing delays and late start due to rainy weather), offset by Education & Training (($14) opportunities for training in NASSCO and
Leadership), Sewer Pipe & Access. (($7) reactionary), Tools (($20) reactionary, expect to be overbudget ($10) by YE), and Safety Supplies (($11) reactionary) . Overall expect to be on
budget by YE.
Vehicles $94 (awaiting delivery of CNG vehicle, expected by YE) and Heavy Equipment $740 (expect delivery Q3 2024).
Legal Services $26 (expenses related to OASIS/Open International lawsuit).
Personnel $166 (vacancies - 2 filled in April and 2 remaining), and Consulting $189 (Hill Pond study has commenced, balance used as needed), offset by Vehicle Repairs (($6) used
proceeds from auction sale to purchase and repair vehicle from Fleet), and (($5) Easements related to Hickory Pond and Coventry) .
Budget calendarized using 3 year average while actual transfers will be even. Will match by YE
Consulting $33, and Educational Programs $26 (staffing issues in Customer Connections).
8
Utilities
electric · stormwater · wastewater · water
700 Wood Street
PO Box 580, Fort Collins, CO 80522
970-221-6700
utilities@fcgov.com
CC: Jason Graham, Director of Water Utilities
Jill Oropeza, Senior Director of Water Planning and Sciences, Utilities
Leslie Hill, Director of Water Quality Services Division, Utilities
Richard Thorp, Watershed Program Manager, Utilities
Water Commission
MEMORANDUM
Date: January 25, 2024
To: Mayor Arndt and City Councilmembers
Through: Kelly DiMartino, City Manager
Tyler Marr, Acting Utilities Executive Director
From: Diana Schmidt, Watershed Specialist
Subject: 2023 Fall Water Quality Update – Upper Cache la Poudre Watershed
BOTTOM LINE
The Upper Cache la Poudre (CLP) Watershed Collaborative Water Quality Monitoring Program
is a partnership between the cities of Fort Collins, Greeley, Thornton, and Soldier Canyon Water
Treatment Authority. The goal of this monitoring effort is to assist program participants with
meeting current and future drinking water treatment goals by reporting current water quality
conditions and trends within the Upper CLP Watershed. The attached water quality update
provides a summary of weather, drought, streamflow, and water quality conditions observed in
the Upper CLP watershed during the 2023 fall season.
BACKGROUND
Seasonal reporting for this program is published for the spring, summer, and fall seasons. The
seasonal water quality updates are designed to inform the Upper CLP Watershed Collaborative
Monitoring Program partners, their customers, and other community stakeholders about the
condition of our source watershed and the quality of the raw drinking water supply. In-depth
water quality trend reporting is done through annual and five-year technical reports. Water
quality reports and seasonal updates are made publicly available on the Fort Collins Utilities’
website, https://www.fcgov.com/utilities/what-we-do/water/water-quality/source-water-
monitoring/upper-poudre-quality-monitoring.
DocuSign Envelope ID: B7112AF7-547C-4CD5-B6AA-CA7757510F42
FALL 2023 WATER QUALITY UPDATE HIGHLIGHTS
Fall is a season when streamflow on the Poudre River transitions to baseflow levels (or low
flow). Water quality during this time of the year is generally stable throughout the Upper CLP
Watershed. However, water releases from high elevation water storage reservoirs may cause
changes in streamflow and water quality during September and early October, although these
events are temporary.
The Upper CLP Watershed experienced temperatures above the historic average, while both
precipitation and streamflow were below average. Water quality indicators measured at key
long-term monitoring sites were within expected ranges. However, average water temperature,
pH, and conductivity at several sites were somewhat elevated, which can likely be attributed to
the hot and dry conditions observed during the 2023 Fall Season.
DocuSign Envelope ID: B7112AF7-547C-4CD5-B6AA-CA7757510F42
Upper Cache la Poudre Watershed Collaborative Monitoring Program
FALL 2023 WATER QUALITY UPDATE
Source Water Monitoring
The Upper Cache la Poudre (CLP) Watershed Collaborative Water Quality Monitoring
Program was established in 2008 between the cities of Fort Collins, Greeley and Soldier
Canyon Water Treatment Authority, to help meet present and future drinking water
treatment goals. The City of Thornton joined the collaborative as a full partner in 2022.
Water quality monitoring of our raw, CLP River drinking water supply is conducted from
April through November. Monitoring sites are strategically located throughout the Upper CLP
watershed. Water quality data provide valuable information about the health of our source
watershed and quality of the CLP raw water supply.
The Fall 2023 Water Quality Update provides a seasonal summary of watershed conditions
in the Upper CLP watershed by highlighting weather, drought, streamflow, and water quality
conditions over the fall season (September – November).
Routine water quality monitoring results are reported for six key monitoring sites located
throughout the Upper CLP watershed, which capture water quality conditions above and
below major tributaries and near water supply intake structures (Figure 1). Fall 2023 water
quality data are compared to baseline water quality data, collected between 2008 to 2012.
Figure 1 – Upper Cache la Poudre
Watershed Collaborative Monitoring
Program water quality sampling
sites.
JWC - Joe Wright Creek above the
confluence with the Poudre River
PJW - Poudre River above the
confluence with Joe Wright Creek
PBR - Poudre River below Rustic
PSF - Poudre River below the
confluence with the Little South Fork
PNF - Poudre River above the
confluence with the North Fork at
the City of Fort Collins’ Intake
PBD - Poudre River below the
confluence with the North Fork at
the Bellvue Diversion
DocuSign Envelope ID: B7112AF7-547C-4CD5-B6AA-CA7757510F42
2
Temperature
Air temperature measured at the Joe Wright Snowpack Telemetry (SNOTEL) station over the 2023 fall season was 2.6°F warmer than
the long-term average and ranked as the 8th warmest fall on record (out of 34 years). Monthly mean air temperature was above
average in September and October and well above average in November. The month of November was 4.1°F warmer than the long-
term average and ranked as the 10th warmest on record (Table 1).
Temperature
2023
(ºF)
Average
(ºF)
Departure
(ºF)2023 Rank
September 46.9 44.7 +2.2 14th (H)
October 36.5 34.7 +1.8 12th (H)
November 28.9 24.8 +4.1 10th (H)
Fall 37.4 34.9 +2.6 8th (H)
Precipitation
Precipitation measured at the Joe Wright SNOTEL over the 2023 fall season was below average and ranked as the 2nd driest fall on
record (out of 45 years). Precipitation was below average in all months. The month of November was particularly dry and ranked as
the fourth driest on record. Precipitation measured only 45% of the average in November (Table 2). Drought conditions returned to
the Upper CLP watershed over the fall season due to above average temperatures and below average precipitation measured from
September-November. Drought conditions intensified from no drought at the start of the fall season to abnormally dry conditions in
the northern portion of the CLP watershed by the end of the fall season (Figure 2).
Total Precipitation
2023
(inches)
Average
(inches)
% of
Average 2023 Rank
September 1.4 2.8 50%11th (D)
October 3.0 3.9 77%15th (D)
November 1.9 4.2 45%4th (D)
Fall 6.3 10.8 58%2nd (D)
Table 1 – Monthly mean air temperatures
measured at the Joe Wright SNOTEL over
the fall months of 2023 compared to the
long-term average (1991 – 2020)
Note: H = hottest and C = coldest
Table 2 – Monthly accumulated precipitation totals
measured at the Joe Wright SNOTEL over the 2023
fall season compared to the long-term average
(1991 – 2020).
Note: W = wettest and D = driest
DocuSign Envelope ID: B7112AF7-547C-4CD5-B6AA-CA7757510F42
3
Figure 2 – Drought conditions for the state of Colorado as monitored by the United States Drought Monitor on August 29, 2023 (left) and
November 28, 2023 (right). (Map source: https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/)
Streamflow Conditions
Streamflow at the Cache la Poudre River near the Canyon Mouth (CLAFTCCO) stream gage measured 11,458 acre-feet of water over
the fall season, which was 63% of the long-term average (calculated over the 1881 – 2022 measurement period). The total amount of
water measured near average in November, below average in October, and notably below average in September when streamflow
measured only 40% of average (Figure 3). The low September flows could be due to a combination of below average precipitation,
high temperatures leading to increased evapotranspiration, and changes in high elevation water storage within the Upper CLP.
Additionally, the monthly average flow varied by only ~200 acre-feet between the fall months, which is notably lower than the long-
term variation (Figure 3). This discrepancy alludes to changes in high elevation water storage and increased water demand. Stream
gages below each high elevation reservoir (LAPLODCO, JWCCHACO, CLANSECO) confirm that Long Draw Reservoir releases ceased
in October, Chambers Reservoir releases ramped down in October, and Seaman Reservoir releases remained constant through the
fall months. The demand for treated water was also high due to dry, hot conditions resulting in increased raw water diverted from
the Poudre River at Fort Collins and Greeley’s intakes located upstream of the Canyon Mouth gage.
Figure 3 –
Streamflow
conditions on
the Poudre River
over the 2023
fall season (left)
and monthly total
water volume
measured over the
summer season
(right).
DocuSign Envelope ID: B7112AF7-547C-4CD5-B6AA-CA7757510F42
4
Fall monitoring captures water quality as streamflow on the Poudre River transitions to baseflow (or low flow) conditions. During
this time of the year water quality is generally stable throughout the watershed. Water releases from high elevation water storage
reservoirs and storm events may cause changes in streamflow and water quality through September and early October, although
these events are temporary. Substantial water releases in the Upper CLP watershed typically cease (depending on demand) in
October, and storm events this time of year are more uncommon, as precipitation in the Upper CLP shifts from rain to snow. Most
water quality constituents begin to concentrate under baseflow conditions and water temperature decreases, especially in the higher
elevations of the watershed.
Water Quality Indicators
The Upper CLP Collaborative Water Quality Monitoring Program uses several key water quality indicators, including pH, conductivity,
temperature, and turbidity, which act as surrogates for other parameters (Table 3). These indicators provide a snapshot of water quality
conditions and are useful for identifying trends or changes in water quality. Significant changes in these water quality indicators may
provide an early warning of potential water pollution.
Water Quality Indicator Explanation
Temperature
Water temperature influences other water quality parameters and is a
major driver of biological activity and algal growth in rivers, including
certain phytoplankton species that produce the taste and odor
compounds, geosmin and 2-methlyisoborneol.
pH
pH is an important water quality parameter to monitor, because
it influences the solubility and biological availability of chemical
constituents, including nutrients and heavy metals. pH near 7 is
considered neutral, with more acidic conditions occurring below 7 and
more basic, or alkaline, conditions occurring above 7.
Specific Conductivity
Conductivity is an index of dissolved ionic solids in water. Conductivity
is used as a general measure of water quality. Significant increases in
conductivity can be used as an indicator of increased pollution.
Turbidity
Turbidity is monitored to track changes in water clarity. Clarity
is influenced by the presence of algae and/or suspended solids
introduced to surface waters through various land use activities,
including runoff and erosion, urban stormwater runoff and drainage
from agricultural lands. For water treatment, turbidity is an important
indicator of the amount of suspended material that is available
to harbor pollutants, such as heavy metals, bacteria, pathogens,
nutrients and organic matter.
Table 3 – Water
quality indicators
measured as part of
the Upper Cache la
Poudre Collaborative
Water Quality
Monitoring Program.
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Joe Wright Creek Canyon Mouth
Over the fall months of 2023, all water quality indicators at
key sites along the CLP River were within the baseline range
of values (Figure 4). Water temperature was above normal
at all key monitoring sites – normal is defined as the median
value over the baseline period of record. pH was at or slight-
ly below normal at higher elevation monitoring sites on Joe
Wright Creek (JWC) and the Poudre River above Joe Wright
Creek (PJW). pH measured slightly above normal from
the Poudre below Rustic (PBR) downstream to the City of
Greeley’s raw water intake (PBD). Specific conductivity was
higher than normal at all key sites. Turbidity measured within
the baseline range of values at all monitoring sites. Lower
than average flow conditions in September and October
likely contributed to the increase in water temperature, pH,
and conductivity observed in the fall months.
Diana Schmidt, Watershed Specialist with the City of Fort
Collins, collects water samples from the mainstem Cache
la Poudre River (PNF).
Figure 4– Water quality
indicator data collected
at key monitoring
sites over the 2023
fall monitoring season
(September, October,
and November)
compared to baseline
fall water quality
conditions.
Fall 2023
Median
Maximum
Median
Minimum
Graphic Explanation
Baseline data
range based
on long-term
data record
2008-2012
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FCGOV.COM/WATER-QUALITY
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Summary
The Upper CLP experienced hotter and drier than average conditions during the fall months of 2023. Combined with high elevation
water storage and increased treated water demand, these conditions likely exacerbated the low flow conditions observed at the
Poudre Canyon mouth during September and October. During all fall months, water quality indicators at key sites along the CLP River
were within the baseline range of values. Though within the baseline, increases in water temperature, conductivity, and pH (at lower
elevation sites) were observed across the Upper CLP. This departure from the baseline is likely due to the observed low flow conditions.
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ORDINANCE NO. , 2023
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
AMENDING CHAPTER 26 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
TO CLARIFY TERMINOLOGY REGARDING CONTROL VALVES AND
WATER SERVICE AND FIRE LINES
WHEREAS, the City owns and operates a water utility that, among other things,
provides treated water service to customers in its service area; and
WHEREAS, the City owns and is responsible for water mains that convey treated
water, and these water mains have service and fire lines that branch off to convey water to
customers’ properties; and
WHEREAS, it is and has been the policy of the City that the initial portion of
service and fire lines adjacent to the water main belong to and are the responsibility of the
City, and the latter, “downstream” portions of service lines belong to and are the
responsibility of customers; and
WHEREAS, on a given service line, as provided in City Code Sections 26-41, 26-
44, 26-48, 26-94, 26-95, 26-96, 26-97, 26-116, and 26-117, the location where the City’s
ownership and responsibility for the service line end, and where customer’s ownership and
responsibility begin, is the location on the service line just downstream of the City’s curb
stop, which is not a defined term in City Code; and
WHEREAS, the City’s understanding and intent of City Code and the City’s water
utility system has always been that the curb stop is a City-owned control valve on the
service line that allows the City to control the flow of water in the service line, and this
understanding and intent have historically guided administration of the water utility; and
WHEREAS, the term curb stop has periodically caused some confusion because it
is a term used in the water distribution industry term that is not necessarily intuitive; for
instance, curb stops may or may not be located beneath a street curb, and may instead be
located on the customer’s property or in City-owned right-of-way, particularly as the
specific locations of curbs may change over time without necessarily changing the location
of the curb stop; and the essential function of curb stops is not dependent on their location
relative to the curb; and
WHEREAS, the term curb stop has periodically caused some confusion because it
is a term used in the water distribution industry that is not always used consistently; for
instance, a curb stop for one water provider may be understood to be slightly different than
a curb stop for another water provider; and
WHEREAS, on a given fire line, as provided in City Code Sections 26-100, the
location where the City’s ownership and responsibility for the fire line ends, and where
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customer’s ownership and responsibility begins, is the location on the service line just
downstream of the City’s control valve, which is not a defined term in City Code; and
WHEREAS, City staff have therefore proposed to clarify the use of the definitions
of control valves and curb stops in City Code related to service and fire lines to clarify their
definition consistent with the City’s historical and current understanding and intent and
administration.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FORT COLLINS as follows:
Section 1. That the City Council hereby makes and adopts the determinations
and findings contained in the recitals set forth above.
Section 2. That Section 26-41 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins is hereby
amended as follows:
Sec. 26-41. – Definitions.
…
Control valve shall mean a City-owned control valve on the service or fire line that allows
the City to control the flow of water in the service or fire line. Control valves may or may
not be included in other structures, including those commonly known as curb stops.
. . .
Service line (water, public and private) shall mean the water delivery pipeline running
from the City water main to the building or property to be served consisting of a publicly
owned and maintained portion from the main to the curb stop control valve and a privately
owned and maintained portion from the curb stop control valve including the outlet
coupling to the building or other point of use or distribution on the lot or premises served.
The terms water service pipe and building supply as used in the plumbing code have the
same meaning. The public portion of a service line is also referred to as a service line stub
or as a public service line as distinguished from the term private service line which refers
to the privately owned and maintained portion of the service line.
…
Section 3. That Section 26-44 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins is hereby
amended as follows:
Sec. 26-44. - Composition of the water utility.
Except for private mains and that portion of the service line considered privately owned
between the curb stop control valve and the structure served, all water and water rights,
DRAFT – December 26, 2023 – DRAFT
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waterworks and their appurtenances, fire hydrants, machinery, equipment and supplies
used by the City to supply its water users with water, shall constitute the water utility.
Section 4. That Section 26-48 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins is hereby
amended as follows:
Sec. 26-48. - Authority to turn on water.
No person other than a duly authorized employee of the City shall open or turn on any
control valve or any other City water valve or curb stop regulating the flow of water from
the City water mains to any premises, lot, building or house for any reason.
Section 5. That Section 26-94 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins is hereby
amended as follows:
Sec. 26-94. - Individual service lines for each building required.
…
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection (a) above, the Utilities
Executive Director may, after review and approval of the related plans and
specifications, authorize the service of more than one (1) property by a
single, common, private water service line, provided that:
…
(4) The line must include a separate branch line to each single-family
attached property, and each branch line must include a curb stop
control valve that meets the requirements of the City Development
Construction Standards. These private service curb stops control
valves must be exterior to the dwellings, within a utility easement
that has been conveyed to the City and readily accessible and
operable by City personnel. The private service curb stops control
valves shall be the City’s control point for that single-family
attached dwelling.
(5) The line beyond the City curb stop control valve and all branch
service lines including the private service curb stops control valves
must be owned, operated, maintained, repaired and replaced, as
needed, by a legal entity representing all of the owners of the
properties served by the line.
…
Section 6. That Section 26-95 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins is hereby
amended as follows:
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Sec. 26-95. - Installation and maintenance of service lines; user responsibilities;
liability.
(a) Installation. All costs and expenses incidental to the installation and of a
water service line, including, but not limited to, a common private water
service line, shall be borne by the applicant for a water service permit who
shall retain or employ a licensed contractor or plumber to install a service
line. For the installation of that portion of any service line within the public
right-of-way or street, the contractor or plumber shall also be licensed by
the City under Article XI of this Chapter. The utility may install the portion
of the service line from the main to the curb stop control valve upon
payment of a tap charge by the applicant. The applicant is responsible for
restoring streets, sidewalks, parkways and other property disturbed in the
course of the work to acceptable City standards after the connection is made.
(b) Maintenance. The owner of any property connecting to the water utility is
responsible for the installation and maintenance at the owner’s own expense
and risk of the water service line from the curb stop control valve, or the
property line in the absence of a curb stop, to the structure being served and
all other water pipes, machinery and apparatus which may be required for
applying and utilizing City water on the property. The owner shall keep the
private service line in good and safe condition and, at the owner's expense,
shall keep all pipes, fixtures and appliances on the property tight and in good
working order to prevent waste of water. The owner is responsible for all
leaks or damages on account of leaks from the private service line and other
apparatus within the property served.
…
Section 7. That Section 26-96 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins is hereby
amended as follows:
Sec. 26-96. - Maintenance responsibility of utility.
The utility shall maintain all public water facilities and mains, public service lines, fire
hydrants, other public system appurtenances and water meters. However, if the portion of
the service line in use between the water main and the curb stop control valve is made of
materials other than copper or ductile iron, then the entire service line will be deemed to
be a private main of the premises serviced by the line, and the City will not be responsible
for any part of its maintenance until such time as the line is replaced with conforming
materials pursuant to Subsection 26-97(a) below and any regulations promulgated
thereunder. The utility is not responsible for maintenance of common private water service
lines.
Section 8. That Section 26-97 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins is hereby
amended as follows:
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Sec. 26-97. - Water service lines; general regulations.
…
(c) Materials. In the case where the service line between the water main and the
premises has been deemed a private main because it is made of materials
other than ductile iron or copper, it shall be replaced by copper or ductile
iron lines at the expense of the user when, in the opinion of the Utilities
Executive Director, such line has become so disintegrated as to be unfit for
further use. Once such a line has been replaced with the required materials,
it becomes part of the water utility, and the utility will assume the
maintenance of the service line between the water main and the curb stop
control valve the same as for any public service line. This provision shall
not apply to a common private water service line.
Section 9. That Section 26-116 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins is
hereby amended as follows:
Sec. 26-116. - Permissible fees and charges.
The utility may adopt fees and charges which may include, but need not be limited to, the
following:
(1) Fees for turning water on or off at the curb stop control valve;
…
Section 10. That Section 26-117 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins is
hereby amended as follows:
Sec. 26-117. - Turn on/off fee.
The charge for turning the water service to a premises on or off at the curb stop control
valve shall be as prescribed in § 26-129.
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Introduced, considered favorably on first reading and ordered published this ___
day of ____, 2023, and to be presented for final passage on the ____ day of ____, 2024.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk
Passed and adopted on final reading this ____ day of ____, 2024.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk