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As I drive up Boulder Canyon with my daughter to ski at Eldora Mountain, I relish pointing out features of Boulder’s water supply system that I’ve had a role in managing for the past 19 years. The hydroelectric plant on the left, the pipeline up on the hillside, the reservoir at the top of the canyon — and Boulder Creek at the heart of it all. Fascinating, right?! She listens to me good-naturedly every time, and I hope one day she comes to appreciate the intricacies that go into providing that clean glass of water she sips every morning. 

The Boulder community enjoys a high-quality and reliable drinking water supply due to 150 years of visionary planning. However, as the climate shifts, the challenge of providing clean and reliable water becomes increasingly complex.

Boulder’s drinking water originates from alpine lakes, reservoirs and the Boulder Creek headwaters west of the city of Boulder, as well as from the upper Colorado River. Each year, approximately two-thirds of Boulder’s water supply comes from Boulder Creek and one-third from the Colorado River. Water from these sources flows via pipes to one of Boulder’s two water treatment plants before it is sent to customers for drinking water or irrigation use.

While Boulder’s multiple water sources offer flexibility and resilience in the face of climate change and extreme weather events, the city of Boulder is actively to secure its water supply. 

One way is through protecting our sources to ensure safe and high-quality water. As most of Boulder’s water supply comes from outside the city, Boulder partners with many organizations and community members to improve forest health and reduce pollution to creeks and reservoirs. 

Other ways include investing in Boulder’s water infrastructure (some components are over a century old), promoting water-saving measures — including using water-saving fixtures, fixing irrigation system leaks and landscaping with low-water-use vegetation — and strategic planning. Boulder’s Drought Plan, for instance, helps the city respond to water shortages and preserve water for high-priority uses such as human health and safety, maintaining creek flows and trees. 

Water management in the western United States is an intriguing puzzle. While I thrive on the challenge, I’m most gratified by the mission of serving a community that prioritizes sustainable use of this precious resource. Through collaboration, innovation and engagement with passionate community members, Boulder is addressing climate challenges to safeguard its water supply for future generations.

Kim Hutton (Chem, EnvSt’98) is the water resources manager for the City of Boulder. 

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