Partnering With Our Customers to Conserve

Partnering With Our Customers to Conserve
Posted on 03/01/2019
March 1, 2019

In 2006, the City of Fountain Water Utility adopted a Water System Master Plan.  This plan studied the anticipated population growth and the amount of water that would be needed to serve our community for decades to come.  The plan projected that, with a  focus on community-wide water conservation, Fountain would require approximately 2.3 billion gallons of water each year by the end of 2018.

In the years following the adoption of the Master Plan, Fountain made significant advances to  meet that projection through water rights purchases, partnerships and the construction of the Southern Delivery System - one of the largest water delivery projects in the State of Colorado.  These advances supplemented existing water supplies, including four city-owned wells located in downtown Fountain. 

Most importantly, Fountain focused its attention on developing conservation programs and rebates that would benefit customers and stretch its water supply well into the future.  As data indicates, our customers have adopted conservation measures around their home and engaged with our rebate program and other offers.  In fact, our customers are using approximately half of the water we predicted. 

Why does this matter?
Three years ago, the Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) discovered in our well water (also known as groundwater) gave us cause to cease the operation of our wells. Fountain's well water historically accounted for approximately 30% of delivered water during periods of high demand (may through September) every year.  

In the months following, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a Health Advisory Limit for the contaminants.  For the first time in decades, the City of Fountain asked residents to partner with us and enacted mandatory water restrictions during the summer of 2016.  in our arid climate, this undoubtedly affected our community, lawns and landscapes, and our community parks.  But you, our customer, responded with grace and understanding by continuing to conserve and helped to see our community through a very challenging time.  As your local water utility, we thank you for being good stewards of our water supply and continuing to partner with us.  


Michael Fink, P.E.
Water Superintendent
City of Fountain