Increased water supply for Colorado Springs Utilities

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Colorado Springs Utilities reports a much greater water supply this year compared to last year. Storage has gone from 56 percent capacity to almost 80 percent.

It’s the aftermath of an extreme drought. Last year, residents in Colorado Springs were restricted to watering only two days a week. It’s a year Jeff Weisburg remembers well.

“The drought period we experienced made it very difficult to conserve water and make landscapes look beautiful. It took a lot of conscious effort and dedication for water conservation,” said landscape company owner Jeff Weisburg.

Weisburg runs a landscaping company, and as you might imagine, the drought forced him to get creative. Stretching every last drop of water, he was relieved to hear there’s more water to go around.

“We’re very excited to have more water in our supply, but it’s a cautious, more reserved excitement,” added Weisburg.

Even though supply is good thanks to a hearty snowpack, officials warn that things could always change.

“It’s really a lot like a bank account. When you get money in a savings account, it’s nice to have that buffer there. You never know when you might need it,” said Colorado Springs Utilities Spokesperson Patrice Lehermeier.

Even though water restrictions this year have been lifted, the good news is CSU says the community has used about the same amount of water as it did last year during the drought.

“We knew the community would come through, and I think that what we’re seeing this year in terms of water use is showing that our community has a long-term commitment to using water wisely,” explained Lehermeier.

This has also meant a drop in water revenues for CSU. The organization has had to slash $17 million of its budget this year to compensate. Officials tell me they’re resolved to not raise water rates.