Manitou Springs City Council discussed potential guidelines for water restrictions and other points during a near four-and-a-half-hour work session Tuesday, May 10. Councilors spent nearly an hour reviewing and discussing water usage as temperatures rise.
Jeff Jones, Public Works director, and Russ Mills, Utilities superintendent, presented four tiers for potential water restrictions.
Mills said the expectation is to enter restrictions “right away,” with Level 1. That permits even-numbered properties to use water outside on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Odd-numbered addresses would have Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays to use water outdoors. Maximum usage would be two hours per day and those who do not adhere to the guidelines would face a $100 fine.
Levels 2 and 3 drop the number of days for water usage outdoors to two days and once per week, respectively. Fines would also increase to $250 at Level 2 and $500 at Level 3.
At Level 4, restrictions would permit usage on the third Saturday of each month from 7-10 p.m. for all properties. There would also be a $1,000 fine for violating Level 4 rules.
Jones said Level 1 restrictions begin when water ceases to spill over the city’s measuring mechanism at its reservoir.
Levels 2, 3 and 4 are enforced when water levels sink below 1, 2 and 3 feet, respectively, of typical levels.
“We’re here to get in front of the water shortage,” Jones said. “It’s probably worse this year than it (ever) has been. We want to make sure we get in front of it before it becomes a severe problem. By … putting water restrictions out there we’ll reduce our community’s demand, and we’ll stretch our water supplies until we get back into a wet season.”
In 2019, Manitou Springs had a wet year, when it experienced a water loss of a little more than 13 percent. The national average for water loss is 20 to 35 percent.
“(Water loss) is unmetered water — basically anything that’s lost during flushing operations or water breaks,” Mills explained. “Our meters tend to go bad eventually and when those meters stop working, they don’t speed up, they stop collecting data.”
In 2020, Manitou experienced its worst water loss in the past 10 years at nearly 30 percent. The next year, Manitou had its second-worst loss in a decade at 27.5 percent.
“My feeling is that we are in an emergency,” said Mayor John Graham. “I jokingly said that one day a gallon of water in Colorado is going to cost more than a 12-year-old bottle of Scotch. I think we’re in an emergency now and that staff needs to monitor this.
“We’re not bleeding blood, we’re bleeding water and we better patch it up if we need to. … I would suggest we ask to see modifications to the water ordinance and the supporting data for our June 7 meeting.”
Council also reviewed what economic development would look like in Manitou and how it could shape the city.
Councilor Natalie Johnson provided four major themes where council could focus. They are: building relationships between locals and tourists and businesses; what a value-aligned plan resembles; sustainability; and flexibility.
“We found when COVID hit, (Manitou) wasn’t able to quickly add outdoor seating,” Johnson said. “What are some of those obstacles that keep us from moving quickly?”
Councilor Nancy Fortuin said she’s interested in economic development and defining council’s role.
“I always worry on where our blind spots (are),” Fortuin said. “We wind up being inbox-driven versus strategic and comprehensive in our approach to making decisions.”
Councilor Michelle Whetherhult explained the importance of the inclusion aspect of economic development.
Whetherhult said she spent the past week in Durango and recognized she was one of a few minorities in town. She wants Manitou to continue to provide avenues for everyone to feel included.
Other than a person at a local restaurant, Whetherhult said, she was one of two minorities around Durango every day.
“It was not fun. … How do we bring in more mom and pop (businesses or people) who are like me? Whether they’re women or people of color. I would hate for someone of color to come into Manitou and not feel welcomed.”
Council also heard an update on the micromobility pilot study. In March 2021, PikeRide received a one-year permit to operate in the city. The program ended in March 2022, but was granted a three-month extension.
Kevin Stevenson, Mobility and Parking manager, said the pilot was extended by three months because “it could move under the purview of the mobility and parking department.”
Stevenson said the e-bikes had “proven success” with hub locations connected to parks and that PikeRide wants to remain in Manitou.
Councilor Nancy Fortuin supported the program remaining a part of the city.
“I want to give my strong support to have them stay,” Fortuin said. “As a city we have a lot to do to improve our ability to manage micomobility. … I think it’s clear PikeRide has been such an amazing community partner.”