The Water Information Program

Finding storage for water continues to be a priority for Florence. In a meeting Monday, Florence City Council authorized City Manager Tom Piltingsrud to pursue an additional 950 acre feet for the master excess capacity contract and to negotiate with Southeastern Water Conservancy District on the National Environmental Protection Act process and the cost of water. “We had signed up for 1,300 acre feet of water in Pueblo Reservoir in the event it was not full of project water from the Western Slope,” said Florence City Manager Tom Piltingsrud. “The Pueblo Reservoir is often not full. In fact, it’s almost never full.” Both Aurora and the Pueblo Board of Waterworks have entered into separate water storage agreements with the Bureau of Reclamation, who owns the Pueblo Reservoir, to store their water in the reservoir. The Southeastern Water Conservancy District decided to help small entities, who have signed up, including Florence, Poncha Springs, Salida and the Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District. It would be difficult for entities to negotiate with the bureau because of the NEPA process.

To view the full article, visit the Canon City Daily Record. For a copy of the original article contact the WIP at (970) 247-1302 or stop by the office at 841 East Second Avenue in Durango.