From The Pueblo Chieftain (Chris Woodka):
Puebloans have been stingy with water this year, and it’s likely going to cost the Board of Water Works.
“We’re going to be 3 percent short in water use,” said Seth Clayton, director of administrative services for the water board.
Pueblo is on pace to use less than 8 billion gallons, down about 250 million gallons from projections.
The reason was a cool, wet, early summer that reduced the need for outdoor watering. On the hottest summer days, it’s not unusual for the peak pumping in Pueblo to hit 50 million gallons per day.
This year, the peak came on June 30, when 46.5 million gallons were pumped. Part of the reason for lower pumping totals has been reduced use in city parks, which receive water at no cost.
“September has been better with the warm weather,” Clayton said.
The average household will use about 113,000 gallons this year, which is down from 117,000 gallons last year and the average of 127,000 gallons from 2004-14.
Treated water sales are expected to fall $1.68 million below projections, but will be offset by $1 million in raw water leases, Clayton added.
“Overall, we will be about $800,000 short on revenue, but we’ll make up most of that on reduced expenditures,” Clayton said.
Total revenues for the water board were projected to be $34.48 million at the beginning of this year.
More Pueblo Board of Water Works coverage here.