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Sustainable Water Plan

Our future water supply relies on our ability to be flexible, innovative and conservation-minded…down to the last drop.

In the face of unprecedented growth, climate variability and more demands on this essential resource in our state, we’ve developed strategies to diversify our water supply.

Our Sustainable Water Plan is a 50-year plan that ensures we take a balanced and adaptive approach to water acquisition, use, and reuse. This plan is accounts for the following challenges:

  • Water supply and demand
  • Water quality
  • Infrastructure reliability
  • Water reuse
  • Financial planning
  • Energy use
  • Regulatory and legal concerns
Most of all, we listened to our customers and key stakeholders when developing this plan. This plan provides a reliable, sustainable water supply in a cost-effective and environmentally sound manner.
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Water Shortage Preparation

In March 2026, we entered Water Shortage Preparation, a preliminary stage of the city’s Water Shortage Ordinance. This means that our current water restrictions—the Water Wise Rules—continue, with no more than three days per week watering and no watering allowed between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Additionally, it encourages everyone to work together to increase our water efficiency and help stretch our storage supplies.

Learn more and review our top tips to save water

The Sustainable Water Plan's projects & programs

Today, we are hard at work to secure a reliable, sustainable water supply for our city’s future. The projects and programs outlined below will help us reach the objectives outlined in the plan.

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Sustainable Water Plan

Continental-Hoosier System Project

This proposed project would expand the Montgomery Reservoir, located in Summit County. This would increase our total water storage capacity for our growing city.

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Irrigation Pivot
Sustainable Water Plan

Agricultural Water Sharing Program

This innovative program provides water for Colorado Springs customers while protecting rural communities and the agricultural economy in our region.

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Sustainable Water Plan

Direct Potable Reuse

We are looking at recycling and further treating our reusable water through advanced purification methods to meet drinking water standards.

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A rushing mountain stream lined with evergreen trees.
Sustainable Water Plan

Eagle River Joint Use Water Project

With other municipal partners, we are carefully planning and evaluating options to expand critical water supplies in Eagle County.

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Sustainable Water Plan

Water conservation & efficiency

We plan to save 10,000-11,000 acre-ft/year of water with improved conservation efforts.

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Our relationship with the Colorado River

Roughly half of our raw water supply starts as snowmelt in the Colorado River Basin. Because we can reuse those supplies, they actually make up 70% of the total water we use.

We have a considerable stake in how Colorado River operations are managed in the future. See how we're advocating to protect our supplies on behalf of our customers.

A garden sprinkler in operation, spraying water in multiple streams over various plants and a ground cover of small rocks or gravel
Blog

Preparing for a drought year

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The Colorado River flowing through a mountainous landscape under an orange sunset.
Blog

No deal: Ignoring hydrology won’t save the Colorado River

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Learn more about No deal: Ignoring hydrology won’t save the Colorado River
The Colorado River flowing through a mountainous landscape under an orange sunset.
Blog

Colorado holding firm on Colorado River negotiations

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Learn more about Colorado holding firm on Colorado River negotiations
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Blog

Arkansas Basin collaboration will ensure best use of water

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Learn more about Arkansas Basin collaboration will ensure best use of water
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Blog

From the CEO: Collaboration is key to future water supply

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Learn more about From the CEO: Collaboration is key to future water supply
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We need more certainty around our Colorado River water supplies

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Learn more about We need more certainty around our Colorado River water supplies

Colorado Springs Utilities 

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