Water and wastewater service-consolidation study underway
Information provided by CPNMD
The Castle Pines North Metropolitan District (CPNMD) Board of Directors voted unanimously last month to engage in a collaborative study with Parker Water & Sanitation District to maximize efficiencies and economies of scale in all service areas.
A wastewater service-consolidation study will allow CPNMD to “flesh out the terms and conditions under which our respective boards of directors might consider water and wastewater service consolidation and the degree to which doing so may or may not make financial sense for the people of our respective communities,” stated CPNMD District Manager Jim Worley.
In his remarks to the board, Worley reminded those present of several
“compelling, obvious, and relevant facts and associated renewable water alternatives” that in his professional opinion, “the district and its consultants had failed to acknowledge in years past, much less evaluate.” Worley provided the following examples:
– When built out, The Canyons development (located on the east side of I-25 and adjacent to Rueter-Hess Reservoir) will essentially double the size of the City of Castle Pines.
– CPNMD owns 1,500-acre feet of raw-water storage in Rueter-Hess Reservoir.
– The Parker Water & Sanitation District owns and operates Rueter-Hess Reservoir and is the water and wastewater service provider for what will soon be the new half of the City of Castle Pines.
According to Director Denise Crew, Worley’s remarks conveyed in a compelling way the rationale for collaborating with a much larger neighbor to assess the value of service-consolidation. “Through the process of this study, both sides can work together to identify and evaluate potential efficiencies, economies of scale, and the costs and benefits of integrating our water and wastewater service delivery. This study will be a major step forward.”
Director Robert Merritt had a slightly different take. “In the interest of managing expectations, I offer a word of cautious optimism,” he said. “We won’t know for several months what the study will reveal. However, I want Castle Pines residents to be confident that our support for evaluating this alternative is rooted in our intent to secure the community’s renewable water future wisely and at less cost than the voter-rejected plans of recent years.”
CPNMD President David McEntire shared the optimism, “The water and wastewater service-consolidation study with Parker Water demonstrates forward progress for this board, for the district, and most importantly, for the people we serve and represent.”
To view a video of Worley’s presentation in its entirety, visit cpnmd.org/board-meetings.
