Fort Collins Utilities unveils updated water efficiency plan targeting 4% demand reduction

The Fort Collins City Planning and Zoning Commission convened on May 15, 2025, to discuss the updated Water Efficiency Plan, a crucial initiative aimed at addressing the community's water conservation needs amid growing concerns about water scarcity. Alice Convets, a water conservation specialist with Fort Collins Utilities, presented the plan, which seeks to set new goals for long-term water efficiency and strategies to achieve them.

The updated plan is a response to state requirements and aims to lower water demand in the city, which serves approximately 30,000 residential customers and 3,000 commercial customers. Convets highlighted that the city treats over six billion gallons of water annually, with a significant portion used for indoor and outdoor purposes. The plan proposes a target of a 4% annual reduction in treated water demand by 2040, which translates to a goal of saving 320 million gallons below projected demand.

Community engagement played a vital role in shaping the plan, with over 5,000 interactions aimed at gathering input from residents, particularly those who may be disproportionately affected by water rate changes. The plan emphasizes the importance of collaboration among large water users, homeowners' associations, and city organizations to foster a collective approach to water conservation.

In addition to the primary goal of reducing water demand, the plan also focuses on enhancing water efficiency in city-owned landscapes. This includes implementing at least seven projects by 2040 that promote landscape resilience, which will benefit both the community and the environment.

The commission discussed various strategies to achieve these goals, including educational programs, economic incentives, and regulatory actions. The importance of transparency in water use reporting and the need for community awareness of existing conservation efforts were also emphasized.

As the plan moves forward, it will undergo further public comment and review before seeking final approval from the city council in September. The outcomes of this meeting reflect a proactive approach to ensuring sustainable water use in Fort Collins, addressing both current needs and future challenges posed by climate change and population growth.