Every year, Platte Canyon Water & Sanitation District performs a detailed evaluation of the water mains in its distribution system and develops a list of mains to be replaced. The evaluation process includes considerations of a variety of factors including number of breaks, pipe material, pipe age, number of customers served, and the location of the pipe in the roadway. With the district having a substantial amount of cast iron pipe that has reached its useful life and fails regularly, the list of projects is growing at a much faster rate than in past years.
The most critical projects are included in the 10-Year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), which the district then budgets for over the same timeframe. The 2019-2028 CIP identified $9,500,000 in water main replacement projects through 2028. However, due to a significant number of main breaks since that plan was developed, several new projects have been identified and the 2020-2029 CIP water main replacement budget is projected to increase to $11,000,000.
For the district to fully fund the water main replacement projects in the 10-Year CIP, the Board is considering the adoption of a monthly fee of $5.00 per household, which would be added to the water bill currently sent by Denver Water. A public hearing is scheduled for Friday, August 23, 2019 at 8:30am (during the regular District board meeting) to discuss the implementation of a fee to assist in the funding of the much-needed water main replacements.
Benefits of fully funding the 10-Year CIP include:
- We will be proactive rather than reactive when dealing with water main replacements, as projects are prioritized so water mains most in need of repair are replaced in a timely manner.
- We expect reduced operation and repair expenses by avoiding costly unscheduled repairs and replacements of deteriorating water mains.
- We will avoid unplanned water shutoffs in your neighborhood and reduce the potential for public safety, public health and property damage impacts.
If you are unable to attend the public hearing on Friday, August 23, 2019, you may submit written comments on this issue, which will be provided to the district board for consideration. Written comments need to be received in the district office by 10am MT on Wednesday, August 21. Those can be emailed at info@plattecanyon.org or mailed to us at 8739 W. Coal Mine Avenue, Littleton, CO 80123.
Should you have any questions about this approach, please contact the district’s Assistant Manager, Cynthia Lane, at calane@plattecanyon.org.