RURAL WATER FOUNDATION OF DOUGLAS COUNTY
Mission
The Rural Water Foundation of Douglas County serves as a key groundwater information source and advocate for rural water users.
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Vision
We seek to educate rural water users in helping them maximize their (the life of) groundwater supply now and in the future.
The Rural Water Foundation of Douglas County is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to research and education. The Rural Water Foundation of Douglas County (Colorado) was formed in 2019 to serve its rural residents who are reliant on nonrenewable groundwater. Please read on to join and support our efforts.
WHO WE ARE
We represent some 25,000 rural residents of Douglas County who own and depend on more than 8,000 active groundwater wells that tap the Denver Basin aquifers underlying the county. Drilled predominately into relatively shallow, nonrenewable aquifers at depths between 200 to 800 feet, these wells are their sole water source. The Rural Water Authority of Douglas County (RWADC) represents the county’s rural well owners and those served by small groundwater districts with fewer than 500 taps.
The RWADC was formed in 2008, via an intergovernmental agreement, by two small water supply districts, a water conservancy district, and the county.
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Douglas County's population has increased an average of about 7% per annum since 1980, from about 25,000 to over 350,000 at present, making it one of the fastest-growing counties in America.
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Well into the 1990s, the county relied almost exclusively on nonrenewable groundwater at depths between 100 to 2,500 feet. With the depletion of the more-prolific, deeper Denver Basin groundwater by urban water districts, and an exponential increase in population growth, transitioning to renewable surface water resources has become a necessity for those districts. But available surface water rights are not typically senior rights (those acquired in the 1800s and early 1900s), and more junior rights are more susceptible to a lack of available water during times of drought. Although the larger population centers have significantly reduced their rate of drilling,
they do not appear to be plugging viable groundwater wells, and in some cases sell their un-drilled groundwater rights to new developments.
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The Foundation was created to help well owners thoughtfully plan their water usage, now and in the future, by providing relevant and timely educational and research programs.
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Rural Water Foundation of Douglas County Board Members
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Rural Water Authority Information Packet
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JANUARY 2022 NEWS ARTICLE - DENVER BASIN WATER SUPPLY
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Photos Courtesy of Weber Water Well Drilling
PROGRAMS
SUPPORT US
Help us continue our program and research offerings by joining us as a partner, donor, or board member
USGS WELL-MONITORING PROGRAM:
The Rural Water Foundation is seeking funds, which would be used primarily to grant to the Authority for the purpose of continuing the USGS/RWADC monitoring project.
The primary project of the Authority has been a water-level well-monitoring project performed by the United States Geological Survey, started in 2011, that measures the annual and seasonal variation of the local water table near each well. Not surprisingly, each of the three main shallow aquifers are showing declines to date.
View more information about the project and public reports here.
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EDUCATION PROGRAMS:
From water barrel collection, water rights laws, well testing systems and irrigation maintenace.
RESOURCES:
Learn more from partner resources below:
Rural Water Authority
MAKE A DONATION
Your tax-deductible donation will support our continued efforts. Contact us for more details about how you can help.
PARTNER WITH US
Do you have ideas to help promote our educational programs or research projects?
JOIN US
We have an active board and would welcome you to join us at future meetings.
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Meeting information will be posted here.
CONTACT US
Rural Water Foundation of Douglas County
c/o Circuit Rider of Colorado
Mailing: P.O. Box 359, Littleton CO 80160
Phone: 303-482-1002
