
The Arkansas Valley Conduit is the subject of this article from the Pueblo Chieftain. They write, "Water users east of Pueblo could pay $1.50 to $2.20 per 1,000 gallons monthly for 30 years to fund the local share of a drinking water conduit, consultants reported Tuesday.
"Valley water providers would need to find additional water supplies, develop court-approved exchange rights and gain storage in Lake Pueblo to make the conduit successful, a draft study revealed.
"The chairman of the committee studying the Arkansas Valley Conduit said he believes the cost is affordable and hopes communities will decide to proceed with the project...
"The Arkansas Valley Conduit would stretch from Pueblo Dam to Lamar, serving more than 40 towns and water districts with a population of nearly 50,000. Part of the original Fryingpan-Arkansas Project, it was never built because of the expense. Lawmakers have been working in Congress to change funding from 100 percent local to 75-80 percent federal...
"The cost to build the pipeline to serve the maximum daily capacity of all communities in the project by the year 2050 is estimated at $328 million, said Kevin Meador of Black & Veatch. With an 80 percent federal share, grants and spreading costs out over 40 years, the initial charge would be about $2.20 per 1,000 gallons...
"However, if the pipeline were downsized to provide only Fryingpan-Arkansas Project water, the cost would be reduced to $213 million. This would lower the monthly rate to $1.50 per 1,000 gallons for users."
Category: Colorado Water
6:31:32 AM
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