31-mile water pipeline opens
$150 million project serves communities in south metro area
Jerd Smith, Rocky Mountain News
Published July 27, 2006 at midnight
A $150 million pipeline that will deliver water to thirsty south metro communities is open.
The H206 pipeline will serve 50,000 people in Centennial and unincorporated Arapahoe County.
It will eventually have the capacity to serve populations as far south as Highlands Ranch and Castle Rock.
All of these fast-growing communities have relied heavily on water from deep aquifers, but recent studies have shown that the aquifers can't support the upsurge in demand that stems from population growth.
Communities such as Centennial, Castle Rock and Highlands Ranch have been seeking renewable surface water from the South Platte River to replace the supplies that have been extracted from the aquifers and to cover new growth.
The 31-mile pipeline starts near Barr Lake and ends near Smoky Hill Road and E-470.
Dave Kaunisto, manager of the East Cherry Creek Valley Water and Sanitation District, said it represents a milestone in Colorado's often conflict-torn water world because the project crosses city and county jurisdictions.
"It's pretty remarkable," Kaunisto said.
The pipeline will deliver 3,000 acre-feet of water initially, and eventually will deliver 3,000 more acre-feet when new water-rights purchases are finalized.
An acre-foot equals 326,000 gallons, enough to serve two urban households for one year.
In addition, East Cherry Creek has negotiated a deal to permanently lease 771 acre-feet of water from Denver Water, picking up the liquid from a Denver Water pipeline that ends at Denver International Airport, Kaunisto said.
None of the water is cheap, however.
In addition to the $150 million to buy water and construct the pipeline, Kaunisto said his district will pay Denver roughly $6 million to hook up to its system.
East Cherry Creek is charging its customers $22 a month for the new project, and has also raised tap fees - the money charged to hook new homes up to the water system - to $17,750.
smithj@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-892-5474
Featured
-
DNC in Denver
Complete coverage of the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
-
The Crevasse
A five-part series that examines one tragic day on Mount Rainier.
-
Deadly denial
Sick nuclear workers applied for government compensation but most haven't seen a dime.
-
Final Salute
The Rocky followed Maj. Steve Beck as he took on the most difficult duty of his career.
-
'Colorado's burning'
Coverage of the state's worst wildfires.
-
Columbine shootings
Coverage of the April 20, 1999, shootings at Littleton's Columbine High School.
-
The Crossing
Colorado's deadliest traffic accident killed 20 children on Dec. 14, 1961.
-
Osveli's journey
Osveli Sales left Guatemala for a better life. Two months later, he came home in a box.
-
Wake for an Indian warrior
Oglala Sioux bestow a tribute to the first tribal fatality in Iraq.
