Water Supply
We Got It!
Roxborough Secures Permanent Water Supply
Great news is worth sharing more than once, so here goes. As most of you know Roxborough's water comes from the City of Aurora. It has since 1972. But, rather than wait until 2022 when our 50-year agreement with Aurora expires, we have been negotiating for a permanent water supply contract.
On December 20, 2010, the City of Aurora agreed to provide a permanent raw water supply to the community. The signed intergovernmental agreement is for Aurora to provide our community with raw water for 90 years, with automatic 90-year renewals thereafter.
The assurance of our water supply is the best news we’ve had in years. There is, however, a buy-in cost of up to $27 million for the District’s portion of Aurora’s mountain water supply and facilities. While the District does have some funds and sellable assets available to pay a portion of the cost, we also must keep sufficient capital reserves to pay for unpredictable repairs. So, we are currently reviewing financial options for the remainder of the cost.
It is important to know that the permanent water supply agreement is only for raw water and thus does not cover any water treatment costs or its infrastructure. That’s why the Board will be reviewing the long-term capability of our 50-year old water treatment plant; which also must be considered as part of the financial plan the District is developing.
Yes, we have a lot of work to do. That’s why, in the next few months, financial advisers, the District’s Board, legal experts and the District’s management will be formulating a plan. While Aurora has given us a five-year window to determine our financing, it is the Board’s desire to develop a plan by the end of 2011. The reason is the buy-in cost is based on 2011 numbers and may increase over the next five years.
Rest assured, we will continually post website updates and provide more information as we move forward.
Larry D. Moore, General Manager
Roxborough Water and Sanitation District
www.RoxWater.org