Major milestones in the SDS project
A SOUTHERN DELIVERY SYSTEM TIMELINE
1980s – Colorado Springs Utilities says that most of the city’s raw water delivery infrastructure will reach capacity in coming decades.
1990s – Utilities embarks on a comprehensive water resource planning effort, triggering several technical and engineering studies and public meetings.
1996 – The City Council adopts a Water Resource Plan, which calls for a strong commitment to conservation, expanding the non-potable system, improving existing infrastructure and constructing a major raw water delivery system.
2003 – The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation starts to review the proposed Southern Delivery System water pipeline and numerous alternatives under the National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA.
March 2009 – After a 5 1/2-year review, the Bureau of Reclamation issues a record of decision identifying a pipeline originating from Pueblo Reservoir as the "Preferred Alternative."
April 2009 – Pueblo County approves a 1041 land-use permit requiring Colorado Springs to take “substantial steps” on the project within three years.
July 2009 - Utilities Board approves construction of the SDS "preferred alternative" and a 2016 project in-service date.
March 2010 - El Paso County Planning Commission approves a series of permits for construction of SDS components within El Paso County.
April 2010 - The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment issues a state water-quality 401 certification, a prerequisite to the required 404 permit from the Army Corps of Engineers.
May 2010 – The Army Corps of Engineers approves a 404 permit, which is required under the U.S. Clean Water Act.
May 2010 – The City Council approves two separate 12 percent water rate increases to help pay for SDS.
August 2010 – Colorado Springs Utilities and the Bureau of Reclamation agree to general terms of 38-year water contracts for SDS.
September 2010 – Utilities begins construction on a 4,000-foot section of pipeline along Marksheffel Road, marking the unofficial start of the project.
February or March 2011 - Utilities is scheduled to begin a 4-mile segment of pipeline construction in El Paso County.
Source: Gazette research/Colorado Springs Utilities
