Water

The Town published a Water Conservation Plan in 2019 that profiles the existing water system in Superior, outlines historic, current and forecasted water demands, sets water savings goals for potable and non-potable water, and identifies priority water conservation activities to support future demand reduction. The water goals set forth in the Sustainability Action Plan are directly from the Water Conservation Plan, and the majority of the strategies and their actions complement the priorities and recommended actions of the existing plan. Additionally, there are several actions included with a focus on water quality.

Through partnerships, programs, ordinances and resource development, the Town is committed to supporting efficiency and conservation, as well as protecting water quality for our residents, businesses and wildlife populations.

The Town’s predominant water supply is from ownership of Units in the Colorado-Big Thompson and Windy Gap Projects through allotment contract with the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District (Northern Water). Water rights allow only the Windy Gap Units to be reused for irrigation, the remaining effluent must be released into a waterway. Additional irrigation water is supplied by the Town’s rights to water from three irrigation companies.

The Town has a robust water supply portfolio and while the Town has not historically experienced water supply limitations, the Town’s water supply could be compromised by drought and other unforeseen impacts as a result of climate change.

Total annual water demand in Superior has remained relatively constant over the past 6 years. According to the Water Conservation Plan, this is typical of municipal demand trends across the United States, which have generally declined or held steady in recent years, even as population increases. This can be credited to Superior’s current billing structure and water efficiency policies, along with national plumbing codes and standards and programs like those provided by Resource Central, a community partner.

It is important to note that across the year, potable water, also known as drinking water, accounts for approximately two-thirds of demand. Potable water accounts for approximately half of demand during peak summer months when nonpotable water, also known as irrigation water, is used widely across the community.

For more information on the Town’s water supply, demand and system losses, view the entire Water Conservation Plan on the Town’s Water Conservation webpage.

Reuse water, also known as reclaimed water, is completely separate from the potable, or drinking water system. Reuse water has its own distribution system and accessories - meter vaults, sprinkler heads, etc. - which are painted purple for identification and delineation from the drinking water system. Reuse water is treated, effluent water from the wastewater treatment plant; this is former sewage that has been chemically treated to remove solids and impurities for commercial landscape irrigation.

Reuse water is pumped from the wastewater treatment plant through the distribution system and up to a 1.4-million-gallon tank on a hilltop in the southeast part of town; from there, it flows by gravity to deliver irrigation water to customers. All customers using reclaimed water must comply with the Town’s requirements around reclaimed water use.