Municipal Water Use in Northern Colorado: Development of Efficiency-of-Use Criterion

摘要

Water shortages, costs of treatment and rapid growth impose severe pressures on urban water utilities, especially those serving smaller cities and towns. In this study of more than two dozen Northern Colorado towns data was acquired on residential water use and the attitudes and perceptions of water officials and managers with regard to water conservation and meeting future demands. In addition, a random mail survey was made of water customers of selected towns to assess the consumers' attitudes toward various water conservation programs and how shortages should be met. Recommendations for long-range conservation include universal metering, development of new supplies and water rights, requirements for low-flow devices and native vegetation in new housing areas, increasing block pricing, public education, reuse of water for non-drinking purposes, and possible restrict growth.