No. Voters approved a five-mill property tax last year. Measure 5-A will allow LAPLAWD to borrow against future tax revenue in order to build critical parts of the water distribution project without increasing the current tax rate.

Money from the bond is limited to paying for treatment plants, pumps, pipelines, tanks, water loading stations, meters, excavation and pipe installation equipment, and other items necessary to operate the water system.

It will be part of the coordinated mail ballot election conducted by the La Plata County Clerk.

Mail ballots will arrive about October 11, 2011. Election Day is November 1, 2011.

Before 1977, there were about 10 structures (something with a roof on it) per year built in southeast La Plata County; from 1977 through 2000 the rate was about 90/year; the rate decreased to about 70/year for 2001-2008.

No! This water system is needed for existing homes. The water system can function for the foreseeable future even if no more homes are built within LAPLAWD.

Farmers will receive household water if they are in the LAPLAWD service and have not opted out. Farmers who are members of Pine River Irrigation District will benefit indirectly from LAPLAWD’s payments to PRID for lease of water.

Yes. Please see the inclusion policy for details.

The Policy Granting a Credit Against the Capital Investment Fee for Property Taxes Paid to the District while Water Service was not Available to the Property explains that up to 100% of tax paid to LAPLAWD may be applied to a property owner’s CIF (tap fee) at the time of service.

Read the inclusion policy for exact information.

It takes about two years to acquire all necessary permits for development and construction, regardless of the water source. Construction could start as early as late 2012. LAPLAWD is pursuing a joint treatment plant with the Town of Bayfield. Ideally, LAPLAWD would purchase any available capacity in the existing treatment plant, allowing pipeline construction to begin shortly after. If LAPLAWD cannot purchase the available capacity, then a treatment plant and storage tank need to be built before the pipeline to deliver water.

Yes. The water rights are adequate, but other sources are also being investigated (Vallecito Reservoir and Lake Nighthorse) to ensure the most secure source of water for the cost.

Please see the Master Plan Section III. Water Supply for further explanation.

LAPLAWD has not done independent research; however, US Geological Survey has conducted studies concerning groundwater quantity and quality.

• USGS Water Resource Investigations Report 95-4190 – Groundwater Resources of the Florida Mesa Area, La Plata County, Colorado
• USGS Water Supply Paper 1576-J, Titled: Availability and Quality of Ground Water, Southern Ute Indian Reservation, Southwestern Colorado

USGS paper 1576-J found many groundwater wells that have elevated levels of arsenic, fluoride, selenium, sulfate, dissolved solids, nitrates, iron and manganese, and others. Under- sink water filters, reverse osmosis for example, can be used to remove some of the contaminants. However, whole house filters installed on the supply line are recommended, in lieu of the drinking water system, as some of the contaminants can also be absorbed through the skin or inhaled in the shower.

Please see the Master Plan III-I. Water Quality Information for further explanation.

No.

LAPLAWD water rights are direct diversions from the Animas, Pine, and/or Piedra Rivers. Though excellent sources, they do not include water from any reservoir. For this reason, LAPLAWD is actively working to acquire water from Vallecito Reservoir and Lake Nighthorse (Animas-La Plata Project).

Project planning indicates that using water from the Animas and Pine River Basins would provide the best long-term secure supply. So the system will eventually use two treatment plants. The best quality sources of water are Lake Nighthorse and Vallecito Reservoir. LAPLAWD would build and operate a treatment plant at Ridges Basin Dam to treat water released through the dam, and the district jointly would build and operate a plant with Bayfield to treat water released from Vallecito. About half of the water supply for LAPLAWD would be provided from the Animas Basin and half from the Pine River Basin.

The Piedra River source will be considered if or when the water system is extended into Archuleta County.

For further explanation please see Master Plan Section IV-L. Preferred Water Sources.

The exact price of water cannot be known until final cost allocations for the Animas La Plata Project are complete, which is estimated to be in 2012; however, purchase estimates are now approximately $3,000 to $3,500 per acre-foot plus annual operation and maintenance.

During the past 10 years, the aquifer has been depleted by more than 1.5 billion gallons, or enough water for 14,500 homes. LAPLAWD addresses a major concern for the future, a reliable source of domestic water without depending on a diminishing groundwater supply.

Drilling a well for an individual home will cost $8,000 to $15,000. Subdivisions of 5 lots or more will additionally bear an additional cost to demonstrate sufficient water quantity to meet LPC LUC requirements.

To receive a reliable, treated water supply. If the well permit allows, the well water could still be used for landscaping purposes. You are not required to buy a tap, and if your well is adequate, the LAPLAWD system potentially will leave more water in the aquifer to sustain your well. The taxes you pay allow you the opportunity to connect to the system in the future.

Yes. When the pipeline gets to your neighborhood, it is your option whether to receive water. Depending on your well permit, you may be able to use your well for outside water needs and use the LAPLAWD system for indoor water.

Please see Division of Water Resources Well Statement for further clarification.

There will be no limit on usage, but a rate structure will be developed to promote water conservation. The purpose of the LAPLAWD water system is to provide an adequate supply of good quality water for domestic needs. The purpose is not to promote lawns. The rate structure will make in- house and a small amount of outside use affordable; large outside use will be expensive.

Water conservation will be a major component in the water system through the water rate structure and a conservation plan. Since most of the homes served are existing homes, the Board of Directors will likely develop some type of program to assist customers in replacing old fixtures with newer water efficient fixtures.

CIFs will be determined by the Board of Directors. Factors such as water source and treatment plant location will influence this decision. The board adopted a resolution crediting the amount paid to LAPLAWD in taxes to the CIF at the time water is available to your property. The board has not yet set a tap fee, but nearby water systems’ rates are in the range of $4,500 to $7,000.

Each individual property owner will be responsible for building the supply pipeline from the main distribution pipeline to the home.

The operation and maintenance costs will primarily be paid through water sales.

The pipelines will be sized to provide approximately 1,000 gallons per minute for fire flow at most locations. Depending where your home is within the system, the flow could be significantly greater. The cost estimate for the system includes an average of one fire hydrant every mile with the locations determined in consultation with fire districts. Homeowners are encouraged to consult with their home insurance agent to determine potential savings by having a fire hydrant within a certain distance from their home.

Yes. Please click here to be directed to the Master Plan and attachments.

Look at your property tax notice. The amount is listed there.

Building the project will be funded primarily by property taxes with a small amount from capital investment fees (CIF or tap fee).

Only a small portion, 12.5%, of the tax on oil and gas producers is new. It is primarily a change in where the tax is spent. Oil and gas production pays a severance tax to the State of Colorado. For every dollar of property tax paid locally for schools, fire districts, water systems, etc., oil and gas is allowed to deduct 87.5 cents from their severance tax.

LAPLAWD’s assessed valuation for 2010 was $517,893,590. That includes 19% private land and improvements -- your home and land, 80% oil and gas production, and 1% oil and gas personal property. That will produce $2,589,467 in property tax for LAPLAWD in 2011. In proportion to the assessed values, private land and inprovements pay less than a fifth of that tax.

Total tax revenue to LAPLAWD may vary significantly from year to year based on the amount of gas produced and the price paid for it.

Although natural gas production has historically trended upwards with time, the price for which the natural gas produced is sold can vary significantly from year to year. For this reason, the Board of Directors expects that LAPLAWD’s property tax revenue may vary significantly from year to year. This requires that the construction of new facilities be conservatively financed to anticipate these variables.

The LAPLAWD Board of Directors will conduct a process to establish all of the rates associated with the water system. Notices of opportunities to be involved and informed will be provided.

Preliminary estimates of rates are: CIF -- $4,500; meter pit -- $500 to $700 + installation; service line from the distribution line to the property line -- $2 to $3 per foot to install; and monthly water bill -- $30 to $40 per month for about 6,000 gallons.

LAPLAWD has no authority to determine land use. La Plata County has jurisdiction over land use. Its Service Plan binds LAPLAWD to sell only one tap to each legally formed lot. LAPLAWD is not allowed to presell taps to subdivisions.