Planning

Treated Water Planning analyzes the operation of the treated water system and makes recommendations for expanding, renovating and replacing infrastructure such as pipelines, valves, treated water reservoirs, pump stations and conduits. This section also reviews plans for new developments and determines financial participation from organizations that benefit from Denver Water’s treated water infrastructure.

Demand Planning  forecasts future water use and, in conjunction with Denver Water’s Conservation Section, plans and evaluates programs designed to reduce our customers’ per capita water use. The section also coordinates and prepares the Ten-Year Capital Plan, contributes toward the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and communicates a strong conservation message to our customers.

Water Rights  protects and expands our customers’ portfolio of water rights. This responsibility involves maintaining existing water rights, obtaining new water rights and monitoring the water rights activities of other organizations. When new water rights are offered up for sale, the Water Rights section estimates their value to Denver Water and determines whether or not Denver Water should pursue purchasing the rights.

Water Resources Analysis determines the water supply available to Denver Water’s customers. To accomplish this mission, the section maintains and runs a complex computer model and geographic information system. These tools are used to quantify the yield and reliability of Denver Water’s collection system, and to analyze the effects of a wide range of future project and management options.

Raw Water Supply  manages the day-to-day operation of the raw water collection system, and tracks Denver Water’s diversions from the rivers and streams within that system. In addition, the section administers a number of raw water contracts, manages several ditch companies and helps plan new water supply projects.

Environmental Planning  ensures that Denver Water is a good steward of the environment. This mission includes obtaining permits for maintenance and construction activities, establishing watershed management plans and addressing endangered species and wild and scenic river issues. The section often takes a lead role in developing procedures for operating facilities in an environmentally responsible manner.

Water Resources Planning is leading the effort to revise Denver Water’s Integrated Resource Plan.  The plan examines the water collection, treatment, distribution and recycling systems, and provides guidance about what will be needed in the future.