Water

Water

Success Story

Toilet Swap

Boulder County, the City of Boulder, and the City of Lafayette partnered with the Center for Resource Conservation to provide high efficiency toilets for a third of the cost to residents in Boulder County.

Nearly 600 high efficiency toilets were installed by residents over four months and 180 million gallons of water are expected to be saved over the next 30 years as a result. From a participant survey, 85 percent of respondents said they would not have, or were unsure if they would have, bought a new toilet without this program. Read the full article on The Daily Camera.

Why It Matters
What's Being Done
Water
Why it Matters

Economy

up to $250
savings/resident

Boulder County’s partnership with the Center for Resource Conservation to provide high efficiency toilets saves Boulder County residents between $80 and $250 annually on their water bills.

50%
efficiency increase

Boulder County Parks & Open Space provides incentives to local farmers to install water-efficient irrigation systems. These upgrades have improved water efficiency by at least 50%, increased crop production, and improved soil conservation.

Love the program.  I would probably not have swapped out the old toilets for new for at least another 10 years, if it weren’t for this program.”
Boulder County resident
Why it Matters

Climate

175 mtCO2
reduction

Partners for a Clean Environment helps restaurants save water by installing low flow pre-rinse spray valves. This effort has resulted in saving 175 mtCO2, a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

26 million
gallons/yr

EnergySmart and Partners for a Clean Environment helps save an estimated 26 million gallons of water annually.

Studio Z Dental in Louisville uses 77% less water than an average dental office. A waterless suction system and auto shut-off foot pumps at each hand washing sink help Studio Z Dental save as much water as possible in a traditionally water-intensive industry.

Why it Matters

Social

12K +
septic systems

Boulder County Public Health has approved 12,669 on-site septic systems which helps ensure clean ground water and surface water.

Best
practices

 In 2015, 64% of restaurants and 70% of autobody shops met or exceeded all stormwater best practices in five key areas. 

working together
for water quality

Boulder County Public Health has been partnering with Boulder, Erie, Lafayette, Longmont, Louisville, and Superior to support the Keep It Clean Partnership (KICP) and collaborate to keep creeks and water ways clean and free of pollutants.

What’s Being done

Progress

25-60%
reduction

Boulder County has made water conservation a priority in all landscaping and outdoor use. Water use on county manicured landscape has been reduced by 25-60% since 2008.

120K+
residents

Boulder County programs saved enough water to provide drinking water for more than 120,687 residents for one year.

What’s Being done

Initiatives

Keep It Clean Partnership (KICP)

The Keep It Clean Partners are a group of communities located along the Colorado Front Range dedicated to protecting water quality and reducing stormwater pollution.

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SepticSmart Program

SepticSmart ensures that all septic systems within Boulder County are properly constructed and in good working order, to protect the quality and safety of our water supply.

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Watershed Health

The Boulder County Public Health Water Quality Program is actively engaged with Boulder County residents and stakeholders on a wide range of issues including stormwater management, wastewater treatment, and water quality impacts. 

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Partners for a Clean Environment (PACE)

PACE is your one-stop-shop for business sustainability in Boulder County. PACE provides expert advising services, rebates and incentives, and certification and recognition opportunities.

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Creek Recovery & Restoration Program

In the spring of 2014, Boulder County, in conjunction with partners and stakeholders throughout the county, created the Comprehensive Creek Planning Initiative (CCP) to develop post-flood watershed-level master plans for creek corridors most impacted by the 2013 Flood.

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Related Resources
Boulder Area Sustainability Information Network (BASIN) 
Left Hand Watershed Oversight Group
Boulder Creek Watershed Initiative
EPA Watershed Resources
What’s Being done

Take Action

  • Have a garage full of chemicals such as motor oil, gasoline, antifreeze, solvents, paints, and pesticides?

    Don’t pour chemicals down the drain, onto the ground, or into the storm sewer – they end up in the creek (See Boulder County’s Household Hazardous Waste website for information on disposing of these chemicals).

  • Take your car to a professional car wash instead of washing it in the driveway.

    Car washes treat waste water. If you do wash at home, prevent soap runoff from reaching the storm sewer, and use waterless soap or avoid soap that contains chlorine, chlorine bleach, phosphates, nitrates, or ammonia.

  • Want to help save water while still keeping your grass green?

    Water the lawn when it’s dry rather than on a calendar schedule. Don’t water the pavement. Minimize paved surfaces when landscaping.