Boulder Water Utilities Focus on Supply and Demand Management Strategies for Future Growth

The Water Resources Advisory Board meeting held on July 21, 2025, in Boulder, Colorado, focused on critical discussions regarding the city's water supply management and future conservation strategies. The meeting aimed to address the challenges posed by climate change, population growth, and the need for sustainable water practices.

The session began with an overview of the city's current water supply situation, emphasizing the importance of balancing demand management with supply management. Board members discussed the necessity of developing a comprehensive strategy that integrates various aspects of water resources, including stormwater and wastewater management. The focus remains primarily on municipal drinking water, with plans to expand the scope in the future.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to evaluating past water conservation efforts, which have resulted in a 30% recovery decline since 2020. Board members raised questions about the potential for further conservation gains, particularly in light of past successes tied to indoor water efficiency improvements. The discussion highlighted the need for more aggressive long-term strategies, such as transforming landscapes to reduce water usage and implementing real-time customer metering to promote awareness of water conservation.

The board also examined the impact of climate change on water demand projections. It was noted that future water demands are challenging to predict, especially with anticipated population growth. The meeting included a presentation of four future scenarios that modeled water supply against projected demands, revealing that Boulder could meet its water needs through 2050 under most scenarios, despite potential shortages in extreme conditions.

The overarching water supply policy, established in 1988, aims to balance reliability with environmental impacts. Current policies allow for outdoor watering restrictions during dry years, and the board discussed the implications of these restrictions on community water use.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored Boulder's robust water supply capabilities while acknowledging the risks associated with future growth and climate variability. The board emphasized the importance of ongoing monitoring and the need for an integrated water supply plan to ensure sustainable management of water resources moving forward. The next steps will involve further analysis of supply and demand management strategies to prepare for the challenges ahead.