Parker Water & Sanitation District (PWSD) and the Lower South Platte Water Conservancy District (LSPWCD) announced today that they have signed a cooperative agreement to advance a joint water supply project to use a new water right that the two entities own along the South Platte River near Sterling, Colo. The announcement kicks off a unique collaboration between a Colorado conservancy district and a municipal water provider.
Known as the Platte Valley Water Partnership, the project will make use of new and existing infrastructure to store and transport water for agricultural use in northeastern Colorado and municipal use along the Front Range. The project will increase the renewable water supply for PWSD’s existing and expanding customer base while preserving and supporting agricultural uses in the South Platte River Basin. This renewable water supply is predominately available during spring runoff and major storm events, and would otherwise leave Colorado.
LSPWCD General Manager Joe Frank said of the agreement, “It’s critical for our community to avoid the buy-and-dry issues that have become commonplace. By working together with Parker Water & Sanitation District on an agreement that meets both of our needs, we’ve found a solution that addresses both agricultural and municipal water shortages without further drying up irrigated agriculture.”
“We look forward to working together with Lower South Platte Water Conservancy District,” said PWSD District Manager Ron Redd. “We’ve been guided by the principles laid out in the Colorado Water Plan; by opening up a dialog we discovered we had many shared values and were able to create a regional solution that benefits us all.”
More information about the Platte Valley Water Partnership and the project agreement can be found at www.pwsd.org/PVWP.
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The Lower South Platte Water Conservancy District (LSPWCD) was formed in 1964 under the Water Conservancy District Act of 1937. The district encompasses approximately 406,000 acres in parts of Morgan, Washington, Logan, and Sedgwick counties. Over 30 ditch and reservoir systems lie within the boundaries of LSPWCD. LSPWCD’s mission is to conserve, protect and enhance waters flowing in the South Platte River and its tributaries within the District boundaries. To learn more about LSPWCD visit LSPWCD.org
Established in 1962, Parker Water & Sanitation District’s (PWSD) vision is to sustain life for our community by providing a growing population with secure, long-term, and high-quality water and wastewater service. Supported primarily by water and wastewater rates and new tap fees, the utility is a non-profit public agency.