By James Howald and Jackie Burhans
At its February meeting, the Donala Water and Sanitation District (DWSD) board discussed a request to extend its service area to include a portion of the Falcon Commerce Center. It extended an existing water lease. The board also heard operational reports.
Request for sewer service raises questions
General Manager Jeff Hodge told the board that he had received a request from the Forest Lakes Metropolitan District (FLMD) to provide sewer service to a proposed development in the southern end of the Falcon Commerce Center. The center is west of I-25 and south of Baptist Rd., and its northern portion is home to the Pilot Travel Center, QuikTrip, and the United Parcel Service Customer Center. FLMD requested DWSD to allow future development in the southern end of the center to connect to a 24-inch sewer line owned by DWSD, Hodge said. FLMD currently receives sewer service from Triview Metropolitan District (TMD).
In response to a question from board President Wayne Vanderschuere, Hodge speculated that FLMD was requesting service from DWSD rather than from TMD because it would be cheaper than using TMD’s infrastructure. Hodge said he would prefer that FLMD install a lift station that would allow the flow to be metered. Vanderschuere pointed out that, if the connection were allowed, DWSD would need to account for an additional return flow.
Hodge said any future development in the Falcon Commerce Center would not be allowed to impinge on DWSD’s easement for the sewer line.
Vanderschuere pointed out that granting access to the sewer line would raise accounting issues.
Hodge said it was not decided how the property in question would be developed; it could be commercial or residential. Vanderschuere said the property was just east of the Upper Monument Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility (UMCRWWTF) and that any residential development should not be able to complain about the odor from the facility. He also pointed out that, if access was approved, the price would need to be beneficial to DWSD’s core customers. He added that the Northern Monument Creek Interceptor project, the future of which is not clear, could also complicate this issue.
The board did not act on the request. Hodge said he would meet with representative of FLMD later in February.
Water lease renewed
Hodge asked the board to renew an agreement between the district and Martin Marietta that allows the company to lease up to 135 acre-feet per year of treated effluent from the Upper Monument Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant. According to the lease agreement, Martin Marietta needs the water to replace evaporative depletions and to support gravel mining operations at the Rich Pit in Pueblo County. Martin Marietta will pay DWSD $300 per acre-foot of water.
The board voted unanimously to renew the lease for a two-year term.
Operational reports
In his manager’s report, Hodge gave the board an update on progress made by the El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, known as the Loop, which is working to build the infrastructure needed to capture effluent discharged by treatment plants in the northern part of the county from Fountain Creek, treat it, and return it to customers in the four participating water districts.
Hodge said the Loop is discussing governance issues with Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU). The loop is considering using CSU’s Edward Bailey Water Treatment Plant rather than building its own treatment plant. Hodge said he was concerned that upper management at CSU does not have a clear strategy for water reuse projects. He said that if CSU management did not buy into the Loop’s plan, the Loop would return to its original plan to build its own treatment facility. Hodge said the Loop would meet with CSU in March to try to resolve outstanding issues.
Water Operator Ronny Wright told the board that scheduled rehabilitation of the district’s water tanks was scheduled to begin on May 1. He said Well 16A should be operational in the next few months and available for use by summer.
**********
The next board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 21 at 1:30 p.m. Generally, board meetings are held the third Thursday of the month at 1:30 p.m. and include online access; call (719) 488-3603 or access www.donalawater.org to receive up-to-date meeting information. The district office is located at 15850 Holbein Drive, Colorado Springs.
James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.
Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me.
Other Donala Water and Sanitation District articles
- Donala Water and Sanitation District, Jan. 15 – 2026 rates and fees amended (2/4/2026)
- Donala Water and Sanitation District, Dec. 11 – 2026 budget adopted (12/31/2025)
- Donala Water and Sanitation District, Nov. 20 – Water rights and exchange options reviewed (12/4/2025)
- Donala Water and Sanitation District, Oct. 9 – 2026 budget planning (10/30/2025)
- Donala Water and Sanitation District, Sept. 11 – 2026 budget planning kicks off (10/2/2025)
- Donala Water and Sanitation District, Aug. 13, 22 – General manager on administrative leave (9/4/2025)
- Donala Water and Sanitation District, July 17 – Board tours treatment facility, adjusts sewer bills (8/1/2025)
- Donala Water and Sanitation District, June 12 – Positive audit report; inconsistent waste treatment numbers (7/3/2025)
- Donala Water and Sanitation District, May 5 – Directors sworn in; district offices temporarily closed (6/7/2025)
- Donala Water and Sanitation District, April 17 – Workshop covers finances, water supply (5/3/2025)