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Fountain approves 50‑year Venetucci water lease to add capacity for about 1,000 homes
Summary
The Fountain City Council approved a 50‑year lease with Security Water District for the Venetucci wells, a stepped agreement the city says will cost an estimated $40,000 in the first year and about $190,000 annually at full volume by 2030 while adding roughly 20% system capacity and enabling about 1,000 residential taps.
Taylor Murphy, the city’s water resources and engineering manager, told the council on March 10 that the Venetucci wells — long associated with the Venetucci Farm — are available under a stepped, take‑or‑pay lease that would let Fountain increase its share over time.
"This is the cheapest and simplest for fountain," Murphy said, describing the wells as ready to use without new construction because interconnections and meters already exist. He said the wells amount to about 135 acre‑feet per year and currently represent roughly 10% of the joint water allocation, supplying just under 5% of Fountain’s annual water use today.
Murphy said the lease is structured so Fountain takes a small amount in 2026, increases in 2028 and reaches the full contracted amount by 2030. That approach is intended to avoid paying for unused water up front on the take‑or‑pay contract, he said. Staff estimated the chartered increase will cost about $40,000 in the first increment and about $190,000 per year once the city takes the full amount, figures that include added operations, maintenance and power costs.
Council and residents asked how the water would affect growth. Murphy said council policy reserves 50% of new water for residential use — roughly 1,000 rooftops worth of new taps — 30% for commercial purposes and 20% for a restricted fund for public‑benefit projects. He added the city does not dictate where developers will build, and developers must meet applicable city requirements.
Members of the public pressed for assurances about long‑term supply if the lease ends. Murphy said the agreement includes options to extend and that long‑term planning should bake in safety factors so customers are not left without service if circumstances change in 2076 when the 50‑year term would first expire.
Council member Rick asked whether the water will be treated to federal standards; Murphy responded that Security Water District operates treatment and distribution under national drinking water standards, including PFAS/PFOA requirements.
After discussion and public comment, Council member Geeke moved to approve Resolution 25‑061 to authorize the Venetucci water rights lease with Security Water District; the motion passed on a roll call vote of seven yes.
The resolution authorizes the mayor to sign the lease; staff said the stepped schedule means the city will only pay full costs as demand builds and that minor infrastructure and pump upgrades will be scheduled before the city reaches the 2030 full‑take level.
