What exactly is non-potable water?
Let’s start with “potable” water, this means that the water is safe to drink, meaning you can put it in a pot and drink or cook with it. This is the water that come out of your home faucets and is suitable for human consumption. With that being said think of “Non-potable” water as the complete opposite.
Non potable water is not drinking quality water and should not be used for human consumption. Generally, non-potable water is used for landscaping irrigation. Non-potable water comes from sources such as; rainwater, recycled water, lake water, and grey water.
One of the benefits to using non-potable is cost. Since non-potable water is not chemically treated and is left in a natural state it’s cost less than water prepared to human consumption. Another great benefit for using non-potable water is that you can conserve the water used for drinking for drinking and not watering plants.
In many of our Colorado communities the Metro District during residential development creates a system for non-potable water to supply each home. This non-potable water is to be used for watering home’s grass and plants.
Not all Metro Districts create and or operation a non-potable water irrigation system. One should not assume every neighborhood offers this water system. Also communities can be located outside of a Metro District and still have a non-potable system. Each community should be taken on a case by case basis.
If a community does not have a non-potable water system they will use water supplied by a municipality to water their landscaping.
As we all know, money doesn’t grow on trees and free water doesn’t flow from sprinkler heads. Each community that creates a non potable water system has to maintain it. If non-potable water is supplied each homeowner must pay non-potable irrigation fees.
Some communities in Windsor and the surrounding areas have a flat rate per home and some charge for usage.
Non potable water fees cover the following:
- Water rates
- Expected usage
- Operational cost
- Reserves for system repairs
Non Potable Water Fees for Communities Located in Windsor and Neighboring Communities:
| District | Non Potable Fees |
|---|---|
| Raindance Metro District- Windsor | $380 annually |
| Water Valley- Poudre Tech Metro District – Windsor | $306 annually |
| New Windsor Metro District- Windsor | $14 per month during watering season and by usage Plus $2.50 per 1,000 gallons for usage per month up to 15,000 gallons. |
| Greenspire Metro District- Windsor | $325 annually |
| Windshire Metro District- Windsor | $180 annually |
| Jacoby Farms Metro District- Windsor | $30 per month base rate for watering season (estimate $210 annually) 0-15,000 gallons $1.50 per 1,000 gallons 15,001-20,000 gallons $2.40 per 1,000 gallons |
| Golden Eagle- Severance | $20 per month base rate and $3.45 per 1,000 gallons |
| Kitchel Lake- Timnath | Based on lot size with a gallon max allotment Lot size 5,000 to 6,999 up to 57,000 gallons $351.78 Lot size 7,000 to 8,999 up to 75,000 gallons $451.13 |
| Poudre Heights | $300 Annually |
| Hidden Valley– Severance | Non-potable irrigation system not provided |
| Village East– Windsor | Non-potable irrigation system not provided |
| Ridge on Harmony | Non-potable irrigation system not provided |
A home’s non potable water system can generally be found in the center of a home’s backyard with a valve and covered access point for sprinkler connection.
Non potable water fees are subject to change. You should always verify the current rates before you decide to purchase a home.
