<\/p>\n
The amount of water used every day to irrigate residential lawns in Mancos is enough to supply the entire town\u2019s basic water needs for more than a month.<\/p>\n
Mancos water department director Robin Schmittel told town officials last week that the town consumes an estimated 450,000 gallons of water daily. An average of 8,500 gallons each day returns to the town\u2019s sewer treatment facility, meaning a majority of the water is being utilized for irrigation, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe use more than 300,000 gallons of water every day on our lawns,\u201d Schmittel said.<\/p>\n
Water department estimates indicate that each of the town\u2019s 1,300 residents consume an average of 6.5 gallons per day for basic needs, meaning the irrigation water used in a single day alone could supply the entire population\u2019s water necessities for 35 days.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt sounds wasteful,\u201d Schmittel admitted considering current drought conditions. \u201cWe only supply water to in-town residences, so I don\u2019t have any other explanation than that the 300,000 is mostly all just people watering their lawns and gardens.\u201d<\/p>\n
But Schmittel was firm in reassuring town leaders about the absence of any immediate water woes, citing the old adage: \u201cWater, use it or lose it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAs of now, there\u2019s no trouble keeping up with demand,\u201d he told town trustees.<\/p>\n
Mancos has yet to place any water limits on residents, but Schmittel said it is possible to enact future controls if drought conditions don\u2019t improve.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe could restrict irrigation to odd or even numbered days,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The town\u2019s water right to the West Mancos River allows officials to divert nearly 12 gallons of water per second, or one million gallons per day. In reality, due to friction loss, elevation changes and probable air entrapment, Schmittel said the actual figure is closer to 700,000 gallons per day.<\/p>\n
Schmittel said a contract with Bureau of Reclamation also allows the town to divert water from Jackson Gulch Reservoir.<\/p>\n
The town\u2019s water treatment plant, in a perfect world, is able to filter one million gallons in a 24-hour period. The rating doesn\u2019t take into account sediment levels in the water when entering the facility, Schmittel said.<\/p>\n
He explained to town leaders that as Jackson Gulch Reservoir subsides, the amount of sediment increases, which ultimately requires additional time to filter the water for residential use.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we reach that point,\u201d Schmittel said, \u201cI think we will all understand why some water restrictions will by necessary.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mancos Water Conservancy District superintendent Gary Kennedy said water levels at the Jackson Gulch Reservoir are the worst he\u2019s seen in his 23-year career.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had pretty bad years in 2002 and back in 1996, but this year is worse.\u201d<\/p>\n
Friday, water commissioner Wally Patcheck cut level four priority rights to the Mancos River. Those junior water rights impacted two local ranchers, he said.<\/p>\n
With number three priority water rights, direct lines serving the Town of Mancos, Mancos Rural Water District and Mesa Verde National Park remained open right now, and Patchek said he will hold off cutting those rights for as long as possible.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had to cut off level three rights for approximately 10 days late last fall,\u201d Patcheck said. \u201cIf conditions don\u2019t improve, we may have to cut those water rights soon.\u201d<\/p>\n
Patcheck said he will hold off cutting level three rights to the town for as long as possible.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s hope we get some rain,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Mancos officials recently released bids to construct a second water tank this summer. The town\u2019s current water tank has a capacity of 330,000 gallons, so the new 440,000-gallon capacity tank will help ensure residents are supplied with fresh water.<\/p>\n