Video Story
Watch VideoMany Pueblo residents want a different "Southern Delivery System"
Story By: Ryan Wilson
Source: KOAA
Pueblo residents are weighing in on a controversial water project. The $1.7 billion "Southern Delivery System" would bring billions of gallons of water from the Pueblo Reservoir to Colorado Springs. The bureau of reclamation held an open house for public comment on the project's environmental impact statement. And many of the people there, want a different solution.
The bureau of reclamation says taking water from Pueblo Reservoir, and bringing it north to Colorado Springs, is the cheapest and most efficient route to meet growing water demands but not everyone thinks it's the best one.
"Let's take the water out after they deliver theirs, so then, if it is dirty, they have to clean it up," Ross Vincent, Senior Policy Advisor to the Sierra Club said. He's not alone.
A sample poll showed the vast majority of people at the meeting prefer a different route; one that would take water from below the confluence of the Arkansas River and Fountain Creek, essentially forcing Colorado Springs to clean the creek, so no contaminants get into their drinking water.
"I have yet to run into anyone from Pueblo, who doesn't think instinctively, that's a good idea," Vincent said.
But Colorado Springs Utilities says that option is pretty much off the table because it would cost an additional $700-million, and use twice as much energy. Those in favor of using water from the reservoir say El Paso County residents already have water rights, after paying millions of tax dollars to build the dam.
"This proposal will help us develop those water rights, that we already own in a cost effective manner, and provide some redundancy and safety for the long term of Colorado Springs," Kevin Walker of the Quality Community Group said.
It's a battle for water between neighbors and neither wants to be left out to dry.
There are still plenty of opportunities for people to express their opinion on the environmental impact statement.
Meetings are scheduled for La Junta at the Koshare Indian Museum on April 3; Fountain, at Fountain Fort Carson High School on April 8; Colorado Springs at Leon Young Service Center on April 9; and Canon City, at the Quality Inn on April 10. All meetings run from 6-9pm. The public comment period ends April 29th.
Pipeline officials say they are also making plans for another route, which would take water from the Arkansas River near where Highway 115 crosses the river. That project would cost between 50 and 100 million dollars more than the proposed route.
