DID YOU EVER WONDER: Patty Jewett 'lake' and companies using fire hydrants
I live across from Patty Jewett Golf Course and have noticed that there is quite a construction project going on. What concerns me, and I wasn’t sure who to ask about this, who is footing the bill for this renovation of the public golf course which includes putting in at least one lake, maybe more? I see Colorado Springs Utilities trucks going in and out even on Sundays and plenty of other services doing the same seven days a week. Are we as taxpayers footing this bill?
— Jennifer Laux
ANSWER: Patty Jewett is indeed a city-owned, public golf course. However, it is also a self-supporting enterprise receiving no tax subsidy.
Other city enterprises, much like Patty Jewett, include, among others, the airport, Evergreen and Fairview cemeteries, downtown and Old Colorado City parking systems and Valley Hi Golf Course. Memorial Hospital and Colorado Springs Utilities are also enterprises.
We checked with Steve Berry of Colorado Springs Utilities and what you’re seeing is a joint utilities/city project to develop non-potable ponds to irrigate the golf course. Berry said the non-potable rate for irrigation will be charged. The project will save money over the long haul.
“Non-pot” water is not for drinking, it’s treated to lower water standards than drinking water. You can identify “non-pot” water by the purple pipes.
Stealing city water?
Every day I walk down Paseo Road towards Union. At Logan and Paseo is a fire hydrant on the south side of Paseo. A company is using the hydrant to fill its reservoir truck (it’s a cement type of truck).
My question is, is this sanctioned? And who is paying for the water? And why? This just doesn’t seem right. I called CSU to report it back in December and nothing was done. Are we paying for this company to use city water?
— Linda Mills
ANSWER: This is common practice. Utilities spokesperson Steve Berry said companies get special meters from CSU that tracks the amount of water used and from that the companies are billed.
Berry said companies are required to list the reasons for using the water and it must fit certain criteria. Companies must also show proof the water is being paid for and that the use is being monitored responsibly, Berry said.
Anyone other than firefighters and utility workers who use a hydrant must have a meter.
__
Send questions to linda.navarro@gazette.com with “Column Question” in the subject line to avoid spam; mail to “Did You Ever Wonder?,” P.O. Box 1779, Colorado Springs 80901; blog at gazettewonder.freedomblogging.com. Queries must be signed. No personal replies.
