OCN

Volunteers reporting on community issues in Monument, Palmer Lake, and the surrounding Tri-Lakes area

OCN > 2603 > Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, Feb. 17 – Board asks for help with water piracy

Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, Feb. 17 – Board asks for help with water piracy

Highlights

  • The February WWSD board heard a report on water theft by subcontractors at fire hydrants, with a call for residents to report illicit connections and reminders that permits, meters, and backflow prevention devices are required for commercial use.
  • The district reported up to about half a million gallons of water could have been lost to theft, and some customers have aided investigations using doorbell camera footage; three fiber optic projects may involve unpermitted subcontractors.
  • 2025 finances showed a net income of about $570,000 for the year, with 2025 revenue of $12.4 million and expenditures of $14.2 million, and notes that 2024 audited net income was about $5 million; some figures may be adjusted after audit.
  • An easement agreement with the YMCA will allow Monument Fire District's Station 3 to use an existing YMCA sewer line, with WWSD purchasing line rights for $10 and YMCA maintenance for one year.
  • The Joint Use Committee voted to participate in a one-year opioid study of wastewater, with no cost to WWSD and data shared only in aggregate to state agencies.
  • Other operational items included Lake Woodmoor levels up 3.6 feet since June 1, 2025, slow meter replacements due to backorders, and planned lift-station elimination and county traffic changes affecting WWSD utilities, with an executive session held and no action taken.

By James Howald

At its February meeting, the Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District (WWSD) board heard a report from Operations Superintendent Dan LaFontaine regarding the theft of water by subcontractors. LaFontaine asked the community to help spot water being taken from fire hydrants without required permits.

Board Treasurer Dana Franzen provided a financial report closing out the 2025 fiscal year. District Manager Jessie Shaffer explained an easement agreement between WWSD and the YMCA on Jackson Creek Parkway that will allow Monument Fire District’s proposed Station 3 to use an existing sewer line on the YMCA’s property. The board heard a report on the Joint Use Committee (JUC) from Franzen and operational reports from district staff. The meeting ended with an executive session.

Help prevent water piracy

LaFontaine told the board that district staff have recently caught multiple companies stealing water by connecting to fire hydrants without having a permit to do so. In addition to a permit, LaFontaine said a water meter and a backflow prevention device are required whenever a connection is made to a fire hydrant for commercial purposes. Lack of a backflow device can lead to contamination of the water that district customers drink.

LaFontaine asked the public to report anyone other than firefighters connecting to a fire hydrant by calling the WWSD office at 719 488 2525. He noted some customers have helped the district investigate water piracy by allowing it to review footage from their doorbell cameras, and invoices have been sent to companies that pirated water. Three companies are installing fiber optic cables in the WWSD service area, which requires directional drilling, and some of their subcontractors may not be following proper procedures or may be unaware of the permits required, LaFontaine said. He estimated up to half a million gallons of water could have been lost to theft.

2025 finances presented

Franzen summarized the district’s 2025 financial year, which ended on Dec. 31. The net income for December was $20,000, giving the district a net income for the year of about $570,000. The audited net income for 2024, including tap fees, was about $5 million. Franzen said the 2025 numbers might be adjusted during audit.

The annual revenue for 2025 was $12.4 million, compared to a working budget of $13.1 million, Franzen said, a shortage of $700,000 resulting, mostly from delayed tap fees. He noted the district billed customers for 24 million fewer gallons of water than it did in 2024.

Annual expenditures for 2025 were $14.2 million against a working budget of $17.2 million. $4 million of costs for work on Highway 105 were delayed from 2025 until 2026, Franzen said, while $1.4 million for the Loop water reuse project was moved from 2025 to 2026. He said expenditures were well managed, as most line items show spending less than the working budget.

Franzen said the district planned to spend about $4.1 million from reserves in 2025 but spent only $1.8 million, leaving strong reserves of $24.1 million. The 2026 budget anticipates spending about $5.4 million from reserves, according to Franzen.

Easement agreement facilitates fire station move

Shaffer told the board that Monument Fire District’s timeline to move Station 3 from its current location on Woodmoor Drive to a site just north of the YMCA on the west side of Jackson Creek Parkway had created a challenge regarding the sewer service for the new station. He said the problem had been solved by an agreement that would allow the new fire station to use an existing sewer line that belongs to the YMCA.

WWSD would purchase 400 feet of sewer line and two manholes from the YMCA, along with an easement, for the cost of $10, Shaffer said, enabling the new fire station to use the line. Under the agreement, the YMCA would be responsible for one year of maintenance on the line and asked WWSD to waive a $6,000 bond. The board voted unanimously to authorize Shaffer to sign the agreement with the YMCA.

JUC signs up for opioid study

Franzen, who is WWSD’s representative on the JUC, told the board that the JUC had agreed to participate in a study by C.E.C Innovations that will measure the amount of opioids present in the wastewater flowing into the Tri-Lakes Wastewater Treatment Facility, which the JUC operates on behalf of the Towns of Monument and Palmer Lake and WWSD. The study will be done over one year, at no expense to WWSD. The information collected will only be communicated to the Environmental Protection Agency or the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment in aggregate to protect privacy, Franzen said. Colorado Springs, Fountain, and two municipalities in Teller County are also taking part in the study.

Operational reports

LaFontaine said the water level in Lake Woodmoor was 3.6 feet higher than it was on June 1, 2025. He said that the district was receiving unexpectedly large flows from Monument Creek despite the lack of snow. He noted that the meter replacement effort was going more slowly than planned because some electronic components were backordered. Only new homes are getting the new meters, LaFontaine said, adding all replacements were due to be complete by the end of 2026.

In her Engineering Report, District Engineer Cydney Saelens said the elimination of a lift station on Lost Arrowhead Drive was expected to begin in late March, and the district would reach out to nearby homeowners to let them know what to expect. She reported that El Paso County is planning to put a traffic roundabout at the intersection of Deer Creek Road and Woodmoor Drive, and WWSD was assessing the utilities that could be affected by the county’s plan.

Executive session

The meeting ended with an executive session for the board to receive legal counsel regarding potential agreements with El Paso County, Monument Fire District, Rex Colorado Corp., Tallgrass, Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure, Monument Junction Metropolitan District. No. 1, Quantum Group and La Plata Communities. No action was taken following the executive session.

**********

The next meeting is on March 9 at 1 p.m. Meetings are usually held on the second Monday of each month at 1 p.m. at the district office at 1845 Woodmoor Drive. Please see www.woodmoorwater.com or call 719-488-2525 to verify meeting times and locations.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

Other Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District articles

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *