The Public Works Department/Water Division is responsible for delivering high quality water to the citizens of Cortez for household uses, yard irrigation, and business uses. Cortez is blessed with an excellent water source with which to begin water treatment.
The City water treatment plant is a conventional plant utilizing coagulation, flocculation basins, sedimentation, triple-media filters, and chlorination. All water processed by the treatment plant is from McPhee Reservoir.
The water distribution system is planned and sized to provide for home and business uses, as well as fire protection. The minimum size distribution line installed in residential areas is a six-inch (6") line. Commercial area and feeder lines are usually eight and twelve inch diameter lines.
The City has an aggressive water line replacement program to replace lines that may be starting to deteriorate or are not up to the City's standards. Materials of existing water lines include cast-iron, ductile iron, and C-900 PVC.
Fees from residents and commercial users pay for the expenses incurred to operate the Water Division. As an "enterprise" fund, no extra financial support is needed from the City's general fund.
Documents:
- 2012 Annual Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report for 2010)
- 2012 Water Conservation Brochure
- Council Resolution No. WE-2012-1, Series 2012, establishes current Water Rates (see below).
- Council Resolution No. 1013, Series 2004, establishes Water Use/Conservation Restrictions (no lawn watering between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. from May 15th to September 15th each year).
- Ordinance No. 1143, Series 2010, adopted the 2010 Water Conservation Plan for the City of Cortez. It has been broken down so as to be of a manageable size.
- 1 - Main Body
- 2 - Appendix (Tables & Graphs)
- 3a - Appendix (Public Notices)
- 3b - Appendix (Public Notices/Public Education)
Water Rates (Per Council Resolution No. WE-2012-1, Series 2012)
COMMERCIAL WATER DOCK RATES: $6.00 FOR 500 GALLONS
Metered Water Rates (Residential 3/4" tap)
- $14.75 for the first 1,000 gallons (minimum), and
- $1.95 for each 1,000 gallons thereafter for all residential and non-residential units except:
- A $14.00 minimum shall be charged for each dwelling unit or occupied mobile home space when those units are served by the same tap, service line, and/or meter;
- and $1.95 per 1,000 gallons after the first 1,000 gallons per dwelling unit or occupied mobile home space.
- The $14.75 minimum shall be charged for each non-residential unit served by the same tap, service line, and/or meter and $1.95 per 1,000 gallons after the first 1,000 gallons per non-residential unit.
The rates herein shall also apply to all water service served outside the City limits.
Unmetered services will be charged a rate based on estimated usage as determined by the Director of Finance.
Service Line and Development Charges
Service can be set up by calling the Utility Billing Department, located in City Hall, at 970.564.4012.
Single-family, commercial, and other uses not listed below.
- 3/4” tap - $ 3,600
- 1” tap - $ 6,020
- 1-1/2” tap - $ 12,030
- 2” - $19,250
- Over 2” tap - Negotiated
In the case of multi-unit dwellings or mobile home spaces being served by the same tap, service line, and/or meter, the development fee will be calculated as follows:
- First Unit - $ 3,600
- Over One (1) Unit - $ 1,800/unit
If multi-unit dwellings, mobile home spaces, or a ¾-inch “irrigation only” system are served off individual meters on a private service line, the development fee will be calculated as follows:
- First Unit - $ 3,600
- Over One (1) Unit - $ 2,645/unit
For sizes larger than 2” that include provisions for fire protection by sprinkler systems or hydrants, the fee shall be based on that portion of the size applied for that is not applicable to fire protection, plus the cost of providing the tap, the sum thereof constituting the tap fee.
There shall be added to the schedule of development charges herein a fifty percent (50%) additional charge for all water service connections outside the City limits.