Opinion | Cleveland and Gregory: Answering questions on water management in Eagle County
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As chairs of the Eagle River Water & Sanitation District and Upper Eagle Regional Water Authority, we want to thank our community for staying engaged during this exceptionally dry year. We have seen strong interest, thoughtful questions and a shared desire to be part of the solution.
This year’s low snowpack and warm temperatures have reduced the water available across our region. While most customers already use water responsibly, small changes across the community can make a meaningful difference, especially in years like this one.
We also recognize there are important questions about how water is managed. Some of the most common topics we hear about are golf courses, new development and high-water use.
What about golf courses?
The district does not supply water to golf courses. Golf courses in our service area operate under their own water rights, and we do not have the authority to regulate their water use. This is also true for some other entities, such as certain schools. That said, we have engaged with local golf courses on conservation efforts and have seen strong interest in reducing water use. We encourage citizens to reach out to these entities directly to better understand how they use water and what conservation efforts they implement.
How can new development be approved?
Decisions about new development are made by Eagle County and the municipalities we serve, including Avon and Vail, not the district. Our role is to evaluate whether sufficient water supply exists based on long-term planning and modeling. That planning accounts for indoor use and reasonable outdoor use, but not excessive irrigation. In most years, snowpack provides enough water to meet demand. In years like this one, with historically low snowpack and extreme drought, customers may be asked to adjust their water use to align with available supply. Our long-term planning assumes these types of droughts will occur and additional conservation will be necessary.
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High water use
We are often asked why we cannot simply turn off water for residents or businesses that use excessive amounts. As a special district, our authority is limited, and we generally cannot discontinue service based on overuse alone. This is why we are working with our municipal partners to explore options, such as establishing maximum use thresholds during a declared water shortage, that could provide additional tools to manage demand during critical periods.
This summer will test our valley as we balance supply, demand and river health. Now more than ever, a “One Valley, One Water” mindset will make the difference. If we all use less water, our community will remain resilient through what could be one of the driest years in Colorado’s history.
We are committed to providing clear information and working alongside our community as we navigate this challenging season together.
