Sitting in the High Plains at an average elevation of 6,200 feet - with only an average of 8 to 15 inches of precipitation a year - water has always been a consideration for Castle Rock. Located in the arid Southwest, the Town is not near a major water source.

We currently get most of our water from underground aquifers, a nonrenewable resource. We are slowly depleting this resource, as aquifers take hundreds of years to recharge. Instead, the Town aims to use 75% renewable water by 2055. Renewable water is replenished each year by rain and snow.

The Town is currently acquiring renewable water from Plum Creek; importing it from northern sources; and storing it in nearby reservoirs. Recently, we implemented a project that allows the Town to re-capture renewable supplies released into the river. Each of these sources of supply will help ensure our residents have water for the future.  

Conservation and water-use management is an integral part of the Town’s strategic plan. The Town created its first comprehensive Water Conservation Master Plan in 2006. After one year of implementation, per person usage dropped by 20%, to 137 gallons per capita daily (GCPD). In 2022, our five-year average consumption went down to 117 GCPD - significantly below the Colorado Water Plan’s goal of 129 GCPD. Castle Rock’s current goal is to reach an additional 18 percent reduction by 2050.

A primary reason for making conservation a priority is economic. Conserving water in Castle Rock will save us from having to purchase more renewable supplies in the future. Since 2007, each Castle Rock household has used 27% less water. If we maintain this volume of reduced water use into the future, a potential savings of $59 million in renewable water acquisitions could be realized by 2050.

(Note: The 27% decrease is not solely attributed to conservation. Other factors including lower temperatures, resulting in less summer irrigation, affect this calculation. We use a five-year average for GCPD to minimize fluctuations.)

Purification Plant Tours

A fun way to get to know your water in Castle Rock is to tour our award-winning Plum Creek Water Purification Facility. Tours are usually held at 10 a.m. the fourth Wednesday of each month, and last for about one hour. For safety reasons, only children ages 8 and older are welcome on the tour. Special tours can be scheduled for groups larger than 10 people. Reservations and appointments are required. Complete the reservation form, or call 720-733-6000.