Water Shortage Plan 2026

Updated about 5 hours ago

Eagle River Water and Sanitation District present their Water Shortage Plan during this installment of Lunch with the Locals.

Executive Staff from the Eagle River Water and Sanitation District present their updated 2026 Water Shortage Plan.

Chapters

Welcome and Introduction (00:00:03)
The meeting commenced with a welcome and introduction by the executive director of Eagle River Water and Sanitation District, Siri Roman, emphasizing environmental sustainability.

The meeting opened with a welcome message, setting the focus on environmental sustainability in the Valley. Filming was sponsored by Eagle River Water and Sanitation District. The executive director, Siri Roman, was introduced, and the importance of clean water for quality of life was highlighted.
Presentation on Water Challenges and Community Involvement (00:00:38)
Siri Roman discussed the challenges with snowpack and water supply, urging community involvement in water conservation efforts to address concerns about summer drought and fires.

Siri Roman addressed the audience about the current water challenges, including a difficult year for snowpack following a hot summer. She emphasized the community's connection to water and the urgent need for conservation efforts to prepare for the summer. Community members are encouraged to cut back on water usage, especially with concerns about fires and aquatic life.
Historical Water Flow and Drought Analysis (00:06:14)
A review of historical water flow data showed increasing frequency of drought years, prompting the need for water shortage response plans and community conservation.

The presentation reviewed historical annual flow data and highlighted the increasing frequency of dry years in Colorado. Siri Roman expressed gratitude for Governor Pulis's statewide drought task force. The presentation discussed the need for in-basin storage and conservation plans to prepare for ongoing dry conditions and to ensure water availability.
Water Supply Metrics and Conservation Plans (00:09:01)
Detailed metrics on snow water equivalent and river flows were presented, emphasizing the necessity of community conservation to maintain water supplies for critical uses.

Tim Friday presented detailed metrics on snow water equivalent (SWE), river flows, and reservoir contents, indicating extreme drought conditions and the challenges of maintaining water supplies. Community efforts to reduce outdoor water use were highlighted as essential to preserve water for critical needs, such as firefighting and maintaining reservoir levels.
Water Usage Analysis and Tiered Structures (00:13:03)
David Norris described the water usage tiers and the disproportionate impact of high-tier users, explaining the need for targeted conservation efforts across the community.

David Norris discussed the tiered water usage structure, highlighting that a small percentage of high-tier users account for a disproportionate amount of water consumption. The presentation emphasized the need to target these users for conservation to ensure sustainable water use, especially during the irrigation months.
Prevention and Water Shortage Declaration Stages (00:17:06)
A five-stage water shortage response plan was outlined, detailing prevention stages and the criteria for declaring water shortages, including reservoir levels and stream flows.

The presentation introduced a five-stage system for water shortage response, similar to fire district stages. The first two stages focus on prevention through price signaling and communication, while the latter stages involve official water shortage declarations based on reservoir levels and low stream flows, with escalating fines for excessive use.
Communication Strategies and Community Engagement (00:20:25)
Lauren introduced communication strategies to engage with the community about water conservation, emphasizing local actions and collaboration with fire departments.

Lauren outlined the district's communication strategies to inform the community about water conservation efforts. The 'Live Like a Local' campaign encourages embracing native plants and changing water use behavior. The district collaborates with local fire departments to promote fire-smart and water-smart practices, urging residents to reduce water use and maintain defensible space.
Public Engagement and Future Events (00:27:02)
The district plans to engage with various stakeholders, including HOAs and golf courses, to promote water conservation. Upcoming events like the State of the River are announced.

Lauren discussed ongoing efforts to engage with stakeholders such as HOAs, property managers, and golf courses to promote collaborative conservation. She encouraged residents to follow the district on social media for updates and announced the State of the River event, featuring presentations on regional water issues, inviting community participation.
Question and Answer Session (00:32:00)
The session concluded with a Q&A, addressing public concerns about the impact of water shortages on recreational activities and lawn maintenance.

The meeting concluded with a question and answer session, where public concerns about the impact of water shortages on activities such as fly fishing and lawn maintenance were addressed. The district provided insights into expected impacts on recreational industries and guidance on maintaining lawns during drought conditions.
Water Use and Restrictions on Golf Courses (00:32:20)
Discussion on state regulations for water use on golf courses in Eagle County, including water rights and accountability for excess use.

The meeting discussed state regulations on water use, particularly concerning golf courses in Eagle County. The state regulates water use, and users must report their water use regularly. If users exceed their allotted water rights, they are required to reduce their use or face consequences from the state engineer's office. The Colorado prior appropriation system gives priority to older water rights, which can affect newer users like golf courses.
High Water Users and Geographic Distribution (00:34:34)
Addressing high water users in the Vail service area and explaining how pricing impacts users based on usage tiers.

The discussion focused on identifying high water users and how they are geographically distributed within the Vail service area. The pricing system impacts users based on their usage tiers, with direct outreach being done to inform customers of their impact. The service area is viewed holistically, and no single community is targeted over another.
New Developments and Water Use Regulations (00:36:15)
Overview of how new developments like Timber Ridge are regulated in terms of water use and how authorities ensure adequate water supply.

The meeting covered how new developments, such as the Timber Ridge apartment complex, are regulated concerning water use. Authorities coordinate with land use agencies to analyze water usage for new developments, ensuring they adhere to efficient water use practices. Developers may need to pay for water demand increases, and the Eagle River Water and Sanitation District reviews all development applications for water use efficiency.
Customer Alerts for Water Usage Tiers (00:39:02)
Explanation of how customers will be alerted about changes in water usage tiers, including tier alerts and available online tools.

The discussion detailed the methods by which customers will be alerted if their water usage approaches higher tiers, which might incur higher costs. The district plans to send notifications via text and email, and tools are available on the website for customers to monitor their usage and potential impacts.
Final Announcements and Future Events (00:42:46)
Closing announcements about upcoming events and workshops related to sustainable landscaping and rainwater collection.

The meeting concluded with announcements about upcoming events, such as the Sustainable Landscape series and Rain Barrel workshops organized by the Eagle River Coalition. Attendees were encouraged to participate and stay informed about water conservation efforts.