Interesting Facts

  • Aspen receives its water supply from mountain streams originating in the White River National Forest within designated wilderness areas. There is minimal opportunity for contamination from upstream sources (e.g. no sewage treatment discharges, no agricultural runoff).

 

  • The first time water was delivered to hydrants and residents of Aspen was March, 1886 and was supplied by a 11,725 foot long wooden flume from Castle Creek.

 

  • The majority of the water rights for the Aspen municipal system date to as far back as the 1880's. This means that Aspen receives the highest priority for its water amongst the increasing competition for scarce water sources in the Colorado River basin.

 

  • Aspen plans for the water needs of its growing population, while considering the water needs of fishery resources in Maroon and Castle Creeks without relying on water storage reservoirs. Snowmelt provides for the majority of the supply. During the two most recent critical drought periods (1977, 2002) water supply needs for the community were met while providing sufficient water for in stream flow appropriations of the Colorado Water Conservation Board on both Castle and Maroon Creeks.

 

  • Aspen's water rates were revised in 2005 and again in 2006 to encourage conservation of scarce water resources. Each water customer receives a customized water budget, which is dependant on the number of water using fixtures together with the irrigated area on the lot. Water usage beyond the "budgeted amount" is charged at increasingly higher (block) rates. This water rate system contributed to an overall 22% reduction in annual water usage by Aspen water customers when comparing 2006 data to average annual usage over the prior decade.

 

  • The Aspen Water system contains over 75 miles of water distribution lines, 1100 water valves, 14 water storage tanks containing a total treated storage of 10.39 million gallons, 630 fire hydrants, 14 pump stations containing a total of 58 pumps, 3 municipal wells, 2 water treatment plants, and 16 separate pressure zones that serves over 3,755 customers in both Aspen and surrounding Pitkin County.

 

  • In addition to operating the potable municipal water supply system, the City of Aspen operates a pressurized untreated water system that serves the school campus, Aspen Valley Hospital, Rotary and Iselin Parks, and provides water for snowmaking at Aspen Highlands.

 

  • The treated municipal water system provides water for snowmaking on Aspen Mountain. During 2009 approximately 46.28 million gallons of treated water were delivered for snowmaking.

 

  • Many of the street trees of Aspen receive water from a ditch system that dates back to the mining era of the 1890's. Without this irrigation, the native vegetation of sagebrush may have continued to dominate the landscape rather than the graceful canopy of cottonwoods known to residents and visitors of Aspen.

 

  • Total storage of treated drinking water is 10.39 Million gallons.