Englewood Water Efficiency Plan Updates Focus On Conservation Programs And Community Education

Englewood City officials are ramping up efforts to promote water conservation through an updated Water Efficiency Plan, first approved in 2023. During a recent Water and Sewer Board meeting, utilities analyst Arden Krigecki provided a comprehensive update on the plan's progress and future initiatives.

The Water Efficiency Plan aims to enhance water conservation across the city’s operations and systems, structured around four key categories: foundational improvements, technical enhancements, rules and ordinances, and customer education. Krigecki highlighted significant accomplishments since the plan's inception, including the launch of a turf replacement program that encourages the use of native plants to reduce water consumption.

In 2024, the city partnered with the EPA's WaterSense program to bolster public outreach and education on water-saving practices. The introduction of advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) is also underway, replacing outdated meters to improve water management efficiency.

Looking ahead to 2025, the city plans to finalize the AMI project and evaluate its rate structure, aiming to implement water audits for large customers and consider code changes to further enhance water conservation efforts. Krigecki emphasized the importance of customer education, noting the success of initiatives like the "Garden in a Box" program, which promotes low-water landscaping options.

The meeting underscored the city's commitment to sustainable water use, with officials eager to track the effectiveness of these programs. As Englewood continues to navigate water resource challenges, the Water Efficiency Plan stands as a crucial framework for fostering responsible water consumption among residents and businesses alike.