La Plata County is anticipating a 50% population increase by 2050. Fifty percent! Durango’s 2021 Water System Master Plan contains an extensive analysis of the costs of enlarging the local water infrastructure (164 pages worth). But a key bit of information is missing – the price of water.
Our natural water supply appears to be diminishing. Without a significant increase in precipitation, current economic development plans may be unworkable. Durango and La Plata County should consider mechanisms that progressively raise prices for incremental development – water tap fees, transportation impact fees, user fees, etc.
Market-based economies allocate increasingly scarce resources through higher prices. New developments should pay more for water they will use.
Last week, the Colorado River Water Users Association met to manage the water crisis unfolding throughout the Southwest. U.S. Bureau of Reclamation research shows users are taking 15 million acre-feet out of the Colorado River, but the recent average flow has only been 13.4 million acre-feet – dropping water levels in Lake Powell and Lake Mead. The U.S. Department of Interior’s deputy secretary said: “Without immediate and decisive actions, elevations at Lake Powell and Mead could force the system to stop functioning. That’s an intolerable condition that we won’t allow to happen.”
Previously, the bureau had requested that basin states reduce water allocations by 2 million to 4 million acre-feet for 2023 (down 15% to 30% of prior allocations). Mandatory cuts are likely this spring. If the seven basin states do not agree to a comprehensive water reduction pact by Jan. 31, the bureau will enforce restrictions this summer.
California officials have already stated they may allocate only 5% of requested 2023 supplies unless drought conditions improve significantly. Arizona is preparing for cuts of at least 21% to its 2023 allocations.
Hotter and drier weather conditions in the West result in more winter snowmelt being absorbed by dry mountain soils, and less snowmelt making it to streams and rivers. Based on existing climate conditions, it is not advisable to assume that Colorado River flows revert to historical averages. This winter’s La Nina weather pattern indicates below average winter precipitation for the Southwest. Without increasing precipitation in the Upper Basin states, the 2 million to 4 million acre-feet reduction requested for 2023 probably increases for 2024.
Arapahoe County, Colorado’s third most populous county, is eyeing adoption of a “300-year rule” for groundwater required for new development. According to the Arapahoe County website: “The 300-year groundwater rule is an important planning tool. For example, if a developer wants to build 100 single family homes, he must provide water rights equivalent to what 100 homes would use in a 300-year period in the County. At the study’s conclusion, policies will be incorporated into the Comprehensive Plan, which guides land use, growth and development decisions as well as regulations in the County’s Land Development Code.”
If adopted, Arapahoe would join three other Colorado counties already using the 300-year rule. El Paso County adopted the 300-year rule in 1986, Adams and Elbert counties in 2002.
Durangoans need to optimize economic development and available natural resources.
Tom DeHudy has four decades of institutional investment experience and a master’s degree in public policy.
