U.S. Water News Online
DENVER -- The Denver Water District, the state's biggest water provider, says cities need to take a unified stand on water management to make sure there is enough water available next year.
Board members said there is a growing consensus that conservation efforts last summer were confusing to consumers and failed to produce major water savings in part because there were too many different programs under way.
``Somebody needs to convene a gathering of all the water providers,'' board member Bill Roberts said. ``If we try to do it alone, we will fail.''
Cooperative water efforts have been difficult to organize because so many districts exist. Some have more water than others, and they have often competed against one another to create their supplies.
Andrew Wallach, a Denver Water Board member, is advocating a combined water-shortage grid that would show metro area water figures and paint an overall picture for residents.
Some regional efforts have already begun, with members of the Metro Mayors Caucus planning to meet later this month to address drought-response issues. Among other things, it is considering a comprehensive strategy to protect drought-vulnerable trees.
The Denver board also is asking area cities to require rain sensors for all irrigation systems and is considering incentives for consumers who install water-saving devices. The board also wants cities to set limits on how much land in new developments can be used for plants and grass that consume the most water.
``A significant amount of water is wasted every year by overwatering,'' said Carmine Ladarola of the Home Builders Association of Metro Denver, which initially presented the plans to Denver Water.
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