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Water Advisory Board – July 2026: Leak Detection, Smart Meters, and Spring Gulch

ByLedger Community News, Weather Reading Time: 13 minutes
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Water management is rarely just one thing. It is reservoir storage, stream administration, neighborhood drainage, irrigation systems, aging infrastructure, public health questions, and the day to day work of finding water that is disappearing where nobody can see it.

At the July 2026 Water Advisory Board meeting, all of that was addressed. The biggest takeaway was straightforward: better meter data is giving us a much stronger ability to spot leaks early, get repairs moving, and protect a resource that matters to every part of the community.

Table of Contents

Board Organization and Water System Updates

The board began by electing officers for the coming term. Roger Lang was elected chair, and Scott Olwick was elected vice chair. The board also approved the prior meeting minutes with a correction to the spelling of a board member’s name.

Staff then provided a water administration and storage update. At the time of the meeting, the main stem call was on the Union Ditch, with a September 26, 1873 priority date. The call later changed to Longmont Supply, with a May 1, 1865 priority date. On Lykins Gulch, the Nelson Ditch call was in effect, with a May 10, 1872 priority date.

In Colorado, water rights work on a “first in time, first in right” system — the priority date attached to a ditch or reservoir marks when that right was first put to beneficial use, and it determines who gets water first when supply runs short. Older rights, known as “senior,” take precedence over newer “junior” rights, so during dry stretches a senior right holder can put in a “call,” legally requiring upstream junior users to let enough water pass to satisfy it.

That’s why the board tracked a shifting “main stem call” between different ditches: as flows in the river changed, the operative call moved from the Union Ditch’s 1873 right to the Longmont Supply’s more senior 1865 right. It’s a normal part of how Colorado still administers water today — some of the state’s most valuable rights trace back to ditches dug in the 1860s and 1870s, and those century-and-a-half-old dates remain fully in force.

Flow at the St. Vrain gauge was reported at 52.7 cubic feet per second. Reservoir conditions included:

  • Union Reservoir: 50.85% full, holding 6,491.6 acre feet.
  • Mud Lake Reservoir: 99.54% full, holding 60,232.84 acre feet.

Those figures are a reminder that water supply management is never based on a single number. Stream flows, senior calls, reservoir storage, diversion conditions, and the ability to measure water accurately all shape how the system is administered.

Why Better Measurement Structures Matter

More measurement structures are coming online across the system. Boulder County and local water users have supported a new measurement point on the North Branch near Hygiene Road. An additional South Branch diversion measurement point is also planned near Cray Hollow.

The goal is practical: measure what is entering and leaving important reaches of the system. Knowing what reaches the beginning of the South Branch and what remains at the end will make water administration faster, clearer, and more defensible.

Additional structures will eventually be needed on Dry Creek for the Upper Baldwin, Lower Baldwin, and Kauffman Davis ditches. Staff also reported that Rice Ditch now has a measurement structure, with work underway to bring its data into the City’s website.

Measurement is the backbone of administration. Without it, everyone is making decisions with incomplete information. With it, water users, staff, and the public can better understand where water is moving and where it is not.

Spring Gulch No. 2: Stagnant Water, Odor, and Near Term Safety Measures

Residents from the Pleasant Valley subdivision returned to discuss conditions at Spring Gulch No. 2. The concerns were familiar and reasonable: murky water, algae, tall cattails, intermittent odors, stagnant conditions, and the possibility that children and pets could come into contact with the water.

The City’s water quality laboratory has not performed testing at the site, and staff explained why. The laboratory’s routine testing work is focused on drinking water sources and designated recreational areas, such as Union Reservoir. Spring Gulch No. 2 is neither a potable water supply nor a designated recreation area.

Even if testing were conducted, the recommended public health guidance would remain the same: people and pets should avoid contact with the water and should not consume it. Conditions can vary substantially in a small, stagnant drainageway, making a single reading less useful for determining ongoing risk.

What about wind and aerosols?

A resident asked whether windy conditions could create an airborne exposure concern. Staff noted that the primary concern with blue green algae is direct contact with the water, not windborne transmission. Odors may travel in the wind, but the organisms of concern are not generally expected to become airborne in that way.

Could warning signs be installed?

Yes. Staff agreed that signage is a reasonable interim action and will coordinate with Parks and Open Space, which operates and maintains the greenway area. Signs would help reinforce the recommendation to keep pets and people out of the water while longer term work is developed.

Why is vegetation removal not a simple fix?

Spring Gulch No. 2 is a natural channel and floodway. Work in that setting can require wetland permits, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permits, environmental studies, and careful coordination across departments. Cattail removal can also be labor intensive, and herbicide use near homes and a natural waterway raises additional questions.

Vegetation management has occurred in the past, including removal work and a prescribed burn. Staff will work with Parks and Open Space to evaluate what may be possible in the fall or the following spring, but major physical changes require more than simply bringing equipment into the channel.

The Long Term Plan for Spring Gulch No. 2

A capital improvement project is included in the City’s 2027 through 2031 Capital Improvement Program. The project is currently anticipated to begin design in 2028 with construction in 2029, though staff is exploring whether design could begin in 2027.

The concept is to improve flow through the area by creating a low flow channel that concentrates water rather than allowing it to spread broadly across the bottom of the gulch. Staff also discussed the possibility of modifying the channel slope where feasible.

There are existing check structures in the drainageway. These structures help slow water and prevent headcutting in a steep channel, so they are not something to remove casually. Any changes must balance better low flow conveyance with floodway function and channel stability.

Greater flows from seasonal rain may improve circulation and reduce odors in the short term. The longer term answer, however, is a channel design that gives low flows somewhere to go rather than allowing water to linger.

Right of Way Irrigation: Free Water Does Not Mean Unlimited Water

One of the most important discussions of the meeting focused on right of way irrigation. These are generally the landscaped strips between sidewalks and streets, particularly along arterial corridors.

The City provides water for 78 right of way irrigation accounts at no charge, while the adjacent property owner, business, or homeowners association is responsible for maintaining the irrigation equipment. This arrangement dates back to a policy choice to keep entryways and major corridors green and inviting.

That water use is not small. Right of way irrigation accounts consume about 52 million gallons per year.

Smart meters reveal what street inspections miss

Historically, leaks were often identified when water was visibly flowing down a gutter or pooling above ground. That approach cannot reliably identify underground leaks.

Advanced metering infrastructure, often called AMI, now provides hourly consumption data. When water use continues through the day and night outside normal irrigation periods, it can signal a leak below ground even when there is no visible water at the surface.

Of the 78 right of way irrigation customers, 34 had active leaks during the year. That is nearly half of the accounts. Individual leaks ranged from fewer than 5 gallons per hour to more than 150 gallons per hour.

It is easy to underestimate a leak when it is underground. But a steady 150 gallons per hour adds up quickly, and water can travel a long way below the surface before it becomes visible.

How staff is responding to irrigation leaks

The current approach is built around outreach, follow up, and clear responsibility:

  1. Hourly meter data identifies continuous use that may indicate a leak.
  2. The customer receives usage information through a zero dollar bill, followed by letters, emails, and direct outreach when needed.
  3. Leaks above 25 gallons per hour receive greater attention as medium concern cases.
  4. Leaks above 50 gallons per hour are treated as high concern cases and receive more persistent follow up.
  5. The adjacent owner or HOA is responsible for arranging and paying for repairs.

That last point matters. Because the water is not billed, there is not a high water bill creating an immediate financial incentive to fix a problem. That makes communication, education, and eventually enforcement more important.

The conservation opportunity is significant

Based on meter data, staff estimated that 5% to 10% of annual right of way irrigation use may be attributable to leaks. That represents roughly 2.5 million to 5 million gallons each year.

For perspective, the City’s water conservation rebate programs save approximately 2 million gallons. Simply resolving leaks in right of way irrigation systems could potentially save as much water as, or more water than, an entire major conservation program.

That is why leak detection is not a minor operational detail. It is one of the most direct conservation tools available.

Waste of Water Rules and the Question of Enforcement

The City updated its waste of water code earlier in the year. The update was timely because newer metering technology now makes it possible to identify persistent underground leaks that older systems could not easily detect.

The code specifically includes the release of water from a leak, broken component, or malfunctioning equipment as a waste of water violation. Under current conditions, there are no mandatory communitywide water restrictions in place, but the code still provides a path for enforcement.

For commercial and irrigation customers, a first violation during a period without mandatory restrictions can result in a $40 daily fine. Violations can accumulate, subject to the limits set in code.

Staff emphasized that the City prefers to work with customers first. The objective is repair, not punishment. Still, when repeated outreach does not result in action, the City has options:

  • Assess fines for continued noncompliance.
  • Perform a repair and recover the cost through the utility bill.
  • Consider water shutoff authority in more serious or restricted conditions.

The board’s discussion was candid. Education is the right starting point, but water waste cannot become acceptable simply because it happens underground or because the account is not billed for water.

Watering Practices Still Matter

Leaks are the first priority because they represent water doing absolutely no useful work. But irrigation schedules matter too.

Watering in the heat of the afternoon is inefficient. In general, irrigation between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. provides better results because less water is lost to heat and evaporation. HOAs and commercial properties often rely on landscapers or maintenance providers to set irrigation clocks, which creates an opportunity for ongoing education and better scheduling.

The board also recognized a practical challenge for neighborhoods with extensive landscaped right of way areas. Some irrigation cycles take a long time to complete, and converting large bluegrass areas to lower water landscaping can be expensive. Those realities do not eliminate the need to conserve water, but they do point toward the need for workable, phased solutions.

Parks and Greenways: Faster Leak Detection Is Already Saving Water

The same AMI technology is being used to monitor potable water use in parks and greenways. Parks is working toward an internal drought reduction target of 10% below historic consumption, and leak detection is a major part of that effort.

Fifty parks supplied by potable water are being monitored. When data flags a potential leak, staff can send a work order immediately and coordinate with Parks staff on the response. If a repair cannot happen right away, irrigation may be shut down until it can.

This is a major operational improvement. In the past, staff might need to wait for monthly meter reads, billing processes, and subsequent investigation before a high use account was identified. Now, a potential leak can be flagged within about three days. In a good scenario, repair work can be underway and resolved within roughly two weeks.

What the early results show

From the beginning of the irrigation season in late March through the meeting date, staff estimated that park leaks had already caused approximately 1.2 million gallons of water loss.

More importantly, resolving those leaks prevented an estimated additional 4.5 million gallons from being lost through the rest of the period.

Several leaks were exceptionally large. One was reported at approximately 410 gallons per hour. Others were in the range of 340 to 407 gallons per hour. At that scale, a leak does more than waste water. It can potentially erode soil and affect nearby structures and pavement.

That is a real return from better data, stronger coordination, and the persistence of staff following the problem from detection to repair.

How Hourly Meter Data Helps Identify Different Types of Leaks

Hourly data does more than say that usage is high. It can help show what kind of problem may be occurring.

An indoor leak, such as a toilet leak, often appears as a relatively flat, continuous pattern. An irrigation leak tends to rise and fall along with the irrigation schedule. With enough data and experience, staff can often identify when a problem began and whether it is more likely associated with indoor plumbing or irrigation equipment.

This information will eventually be useful beyond major irrigation accounts and parks. Residential irrigation is one of the largest water uses in the community, and the cumulative benefit of helping customers understand their own data could be substantial.

Customer Water Data Is Coming Closer

Longmont’s water meters are generally Neptune meters, and staff estimates that the City has roughly 95% coverage for data collection. Some locations are more difficult because meters may be located in basements or underground pits, but the overall reach is strong.

Customers already have access to hourly electric consumption through the SilverBlaze customer portal. The next step is integrating hourly water data into that same portal. Testing is underway to make sure the experience works properly before it is broadly released.

Once water information is available through the portal, customers will be able to see unusual usage patterns much sooner. A steady 1.5 gallons per hour, for example, might point toward an indoor fixture leak. A larger and variable pattern may point to irrigation.

The vision is simple: give customers information early enough that they can act before a small leak becomes a large bill, a large waste, or a much bigger repair.

Looking Ahead: Topics for Future Water Board Discussion

The board reviewed its bylaws and determined that no changes were needed. The current bylaws were last revised in September 2024 and continue to provide a complete framework for the board’s work.

Several future agenda topics were requested:

  • A broad presentation on Button Rock Preserve water rights, water storage, water delivery, and the decision making that guides releases.
  • Further review of the Beckwith Diversion Modification near Golden Ponds as planning and design work develops.
  • Information on the Handy Whitman index, a long running infrastructure valuation index that may be relevant to future cash in lieu and water infrastructure cost discussions.

Water planning is long range work. It means looking at reservoirs and water rights, but also the details: meters, irrigation clocks, diversion structures, drainage channels, and a leak that may be flowing underground at hundreds of gallons per hour.

That is the work in front of us. Better information, timely repairs, clear communication, and steady attention to the systems that make reliable water service possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Spring Gulch No. 2 safe for people and pets to enter?

No. The recommendation is to avoid contact with the water and not allow pets or people to consume it. The site is not a designated recreation area or drinking water supply.

Will Spring Gulch No. 2 be tested for water quality?

There are no plans for testing at this time. Staff explained that testing would not change the recommended precaution to avoid contact with the stagnant water.

What is planned for Spring Gulch No. 2?

A capital improvement project is planned to improve the drainageway, potentially through a low flow channel and channel slope adjustments that help water move through the area. Design is currently anticipated for 2028, with construction in 2029, although staff is exploring an earlier design start.

Who repairs leaks in right of way irrigation systems?

The adjacent property owner, HOA, or commercial property is responsible for maintaining irrigation equipment and repairing leaks, even though the City provides the water at no charge for qualifying arterial right of way areas.

How much water could be saved by fixing right of way irrigation leaks?

Staff estimated that leaks may represent 5% to 10% of approximately 52 million gallons used annually for right of way irrigation. That equals roughly 2.5 million to 5 million gallons per year.

Can the City fine customers for wasting water through leaks?

Yes. The updated waste of water code includes water released through leaks, broken components, and malfunctioning equipment. Staff generally begins with education and outreach, but fines and other enforcement options are available when repairs do not occur.

How quickly can smart meters identify a leak?

With hourly AMI data, staff can identify potential leaks within a few days instead of waiting for monthly meter reading and billing cycles. This allows much faster investigation and repair coordination.

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