Fort Collins Utilities has a strong commitment to ensure the efficient and responsible use of our natural resources. Our Water Conservation Program is nearly 40 years in the making and has resulted in lower per capita water use, even as population has grown significantly.

The 2010 Plan set a goal of 140 gallons per capita per day (gpcd) by the year 2020. The updated Plan proposes a new goal of 130 gpcd by 2030.

There are many benefits of water conservation for the City and the community, including:

• Cultivate a conservation ethic
• Demonstrate a commitment to sustainability
• Delay or avoid significant capital infrastructure costs
• Support economic health
• Enhance resilience during drought periods
• Prepare for potential effects of climate change
• Provide water for other beneficial purposes such as ecosystem services, agriculture, recreation and aesthetics

Our water conservation programs include activities that touch on many different uses and affect the entire community. Programs will be evaluated based on cost-effectiveness, customer preferences, number and type of customers benefited, alignment with other City efforts and availability of staff resources.

Our actions will be guided by the following implementation principles:

• Employ transparent and sophisticated data-driven processes and decision-making
• Coordinate and support symbiotic efforts within Utilities and across the City
• Cultivate new and bolster existing community and statewide partnerships

The content and organization of this Plan was developed using the Colorado Water Conservation Board’s municipal water efficiency plan guidance document. The draft Plan was developed with input from City boards and commissions, community organizations and a technical advisory group that included Utilities staff, City staff and Water Board members.

The timeline for the Plan update:

• Nov. 2, 2015-Jan. 15, 2016: public comment period
• February 2016: Review public comments and revise draft Plan
• March 1, 2016: City Council regular session for adoption of revised Plan
• 2016: Budget and program planning
• 2017: Submission to Colorado Water Conservation Board