Arapahoe County has an adequate water supply for the foreseeable future, but needs to take conservation measures to account for significant growth, according to a study adopted by commissioners Tuesday.

The study, completed by consultants Forsgren Associates, Michael Baker International and Vertex Consulting, shows that the county has adequate water supply to meet demand through 2050, but needs to take steps to protect long term supplies, according to a news release from the county. 

Currently, the county’s population of 656,000 uses 83,400 acre feet of water. One acre foot is equal to filling a football field with nine inches of water and can supply two to four homes with water for one year.

Renewable water sources and Denver Basin aquifers, which supply municipal water providers and wells in eastern Arapahoe County, can produce up to 141,000 acre feet of water per year, according to the study.

By 2050, however, the county population will likely grow to 900,000 or more, causing the water demand to rise as well, potentially exceeding the maximum supply threshold.

Local water providers are working on meeting the growing demands of the county, but more steps can be taken, such as water conservation, sharing agreements, and regional supply development partners, the study states.

The consultants involved in the study also released a list of recommendations for improving water use efficiency and conservation. Commissioners would need to adopt the recommendations as policies as part of the Land Development Code, according to the news release.

The recommendations are as follows.

• Coordinating with developers and water providers to find ways to consolidate wells into community water systems with fewer larger wells
• Requiring a water supply plan documenting an appropriate supply of water to serve proposed developments
• Reviewing and updating development regulations to promote or require better water efficiency in new developments
• Encouraging transitions to water-wise landscaping
• Considering the locations of new development in relation to water availability

“We need to hold people accountable,” Commissioner Jeff Baker said in the release. “If they want to build, they need to make sure there is enough water to provide adequate water resources to people. This is not a green light to develop at will because this study is cautionary, we do need to insure conservation efforts from this point forward.”