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Severance council approves IGA with Thornton to allow emergency raw‑water interconnection (Resolution 2026‑06R)
Summary
The Severance Town Council unanimously approved Resolution 2026‑06R authorizing an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Thornton that would allow a one‑way emergency raw‑water interconnection to supply Severance if future treatment capacity and emergencies require it.
The Severance Town Council unanimously approved Resolution 2026‑06R on April 28, 2026, authorizing an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the City of Thornton to create an emergency raw‑water interconnection for Severance.
Town Attorney Rogers introduced the agreement as a cooperative, fair arrangement between the municipalities. "Before you for consideration is the IGA with the City of Thornton regarding the emergency raw water interconnect," Rogers said. He noted the resolution also authorizes the town manager to execute supporting standard operating procedures necessary to allow the facility to operate in the future.
Council members sought clarification on the scope and operation of the interconnect. Council member Bruin asked whether the connection supplied raw water rather than treated potable water; Town Manager Nick Wharton confirmed it does. "This is raw water. This is not water that we can get from them to treat. This is for the potential of our water treatment plant should it ever go in," Bruin said, and Wharton added that the IGA is intended for future contingencies rather than immediate potable relief.
Wharton outlined potential emergency scenarios in which the interconnect could be used, citing the regional treatment plant at Soldier Canyon and the possibility of losing other delivery connections. "If something happened up there, this water could be treated at the proposed treatment plant and brought into town," he said, explaining the connection is one‑way and would benefit Severance. Rogers and Wharton emphasized technical and operating procedures would need to be finalized before any physical connection is placed into service.
Council member Hessler moved to approve the resolution and Mayor Pro Tem Vandermark seconded. A roll call approved the resolution with all members voting yes.
The resolution directs staff to continue negotiations and authorizes the town manager to execute ancillary documents and standard operating procedures as needed for implementation; no immediate transfer of water will occur until treatment capacity, procedures, and technical requirements are in place.
