Ute Water Conservancy District in Mesa County, Colorado drawing directly from Colorado River
6/30/2021 4:25:44 PM
CATEGORIES:
Relief, Response & Restrictions
Water Supply & Quality
AFFECTED AREAS:
Mesa County, CO
Start Date: 6/18/2021
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The Ute Water Conservancy District began drawing water directly from the Colorado River for the first time in its 65-year existence, according to district officials. Consequently, the district will also have to introduce a 2% "drought pumping rate" to pay for the increased electrical cost of pumping the water.
The district typically gets its water from snowmelt, which refills its reservoirs, but there was a call on that water from users with more senior water rights, which has never happened so early in the year.
River water will require more treatment and may taste different or leave more residue on dishes.
The Daily Sentinel (Grand Junction, Colo.), June 19, 2021
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