HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 8/3/2021 - Memorandum From Mariel Miller Re: Voluntary Water Shortage Watch Planned To Continue Through Summer
Utilities
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222 Laporte Ave.
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580
970.212.2900
V/TDD: 711
utilities@fcgov.com
fcgov.com/utilities
M E M O R A N D U M
DATE: July 28, 2021
TO: Mayor Arndt and Councilmembers
FROM: Mariel Miller, Water Conservation Specialist
THROUGH: Darin Atteberry, City Manager
Kelly DiMartino, Deputy City Manager
Theresa Connor, Interim Utilities Executive Director
Gretchen Stanford, Interim Utilities Deputy Director, Customer Connections
RE: Voluntary Water Shortage Watch planned to continue through summer.
Bottom Line: The City Manager declared a voluntary Water Shortage Watch, effective April 29,
pursuant to Fort Collins City Code Section 26-167(a) and the Water Shortage Action Plan
(WSAP). After further evaluation, and the recent flooding in the Poudre River canyon, the City
Manager has decided to continue the Watch through the summer, barring any unforeseen
circumstances.
Background: With the recent flooding and predicted monsoon events continuing to impact the
Poudre River water supplies, Fort Collins Utilities has evaluated our water availability to
determine the outlook for the remaining water year. Utilities has intermittently relied on
Horsetooth water supplies when Poudre River supplies were impacted by runoff bringing
significant sediment and ash into the river from the burn areas. More recently, the flooding event
has made Utilities more reliant on Horsetooth supplies. On the other hand, a wet spring reduced
demands and we were able to treat and deliver more Poudre River water during spring run-off
than we typically do. Considering all of these factors, Utilities is confident we can meet
demands while working in concert with the community.
Together, We Can Make a Difference: Staff will continue to promote the voluntary Water
Shortage Watch communication effort that includes information about post-wildfire watershed
recovery activities and monitoring. Key messages include the importance of taking voluntary
actions now to reduce water use, which helps protect our water supplies and lower the chance of
mandatory water restrictions in future years. A comprehensive list of voluntary water-saving
actions and frequently asked questions is at fcgov.com/water-restrictions. The public can stay
updated on the status of our water quality and supply at fcgov.com/water-status.
Staff continue to:
1) Share information and identify collaboration opportunities with local and regional
providers on both water shortage and watershed recovery efforts
2) Monitor water quality and work to improve future water availability by pursuing
watershed recovery actions and associated funding opportunities
3) Continue to provide safe, high-quality drinking water by managing our two water
sources and our treatment processes.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the voluntary Water Shortage Watch will continue until
the end of the irrigation season. Given current and projected conditions, it is unlikely that
mandatory water restrictions will be needed this summer. Continuing the voluntary Water
Shortage Watch will continue public awareness and conservation efforts as we manage our water
supplies and monitor our watersheds post-flood and monsoon season.
CC: Mark Kempton, Interim Utilities Deputy Director, Water Resources and Treatment
Abbye Neel, Interim Water Conservation Manager
Liesel Hans, Interim Utilities Deputy Director, Water Resources and Treatment
Eric Potyondy, Assistant City Attorney