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About Us
In order to meet the established water quality standards and to preserve the beneficial
uses of the reservoir, the Authority, comprised of elected officials
and governor-appointed representatives within the Cherry Creek
Watershed, has made the commitment to implement water quality
management strategies in the watershed. These strategies support comprehensive water quality
improvements in the Cherry Creek Basin.
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Following 2001 legislation (CRS 25-8.5-101), the Authority Board was reconstituted to include the
following 17 members:
- Two Counties (Arapahoe and Douglas)
- Eight Municipalities (Aurora, Castle Pines, Castle Rock, Centennial, Foxfield,
Greenwood Village, Lone Tree, and Parker)
- One member representing the seven special districts providing wastewater services in the Authority's boundaries (Arapahoe Water and Wastewater Authority, Cottonwood
Water and Sanitation District, Inverness Water and Sanitation District, Meridian Metropolitan District, Parker Water and Sanitation
District, Pinery Water and Sanitation District, and Stonegate Village Metropolitan District)
- Seven citizens representing various environmental and economic interests, appointed by the governor
The 2001 legislation required the Authority
to submit a Water Quality Control Plan by 2003 and
spend at least 60-percent of it's revenues on the
construction and maintenance of capital projects that improve water quality in Cherry Creek and the Reservoir. The Authority continues to implement the intent of the
legislation and Control Regulation within the constraints of funding
limitations.
Since 1985 the Authority has:
- Conducted extensive water quality monitoring of Cherry Creek, its tributaries, the alluvium, and the
reservoir
- Developed a three-step approach to controlling phosphorus through control of erosion during construction,
baseline BMPs (Best Management Practices) to control pollutants in urban runoff , and PRFs (Pollution Reduction Facilityies) that go beyond BMPs
- Adopted stormwater quality regulations that land use agencies have used to implement, monitor, and
enforce construction erosion controls and baseline BMPs that control stormwater pollution
- Coordinated with land use agencies on appropriate water quality requirements for pre- and
post-construction BMPs for developed areas
- Reviewed site applications for WWTFs (Waste Water Treatment Facilities) and lift stations, wastewater
utility plans, and land use and development applications
- Planned, constructed and monitored the performance of a number of PRFs in the basin
- Developed a multi-year Capital Improvement Project (CIP) plan
- Implemented an operations and maintenance plan to insure PRFs continue to serve their purpose
- Developed information and education programs
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