This section addresses the water that supplies the commercial facilities in the shopping centers in Conifer.

There are 377 wells in the Activity Center and most are “exempt” wells meaning that they are exempt from metering. There are three centralized water systems:

  1. Conifer Metro District (CMD) at the Safeway Center
  2. Aspen Park Metro District (APMD) at King Soopers
  3. Conifer Water Association (CWA/CSA) at the Staples Center.

All three systems provide monthly accounting to the Colorado Division Water Resources. For 2019, all 3 systems total pumped approximately 45,000 gallons per day (GPD), the highest level. In 2023, they pumped just under 35,000 GPD.

Discharge records for the three centralized systems in Conifer from 2010 through 2023

Recharge

This graph below shows recharge, or treated wastewater that is returned to the groundwater system. The lines represent the percentage of recharge for the three centralized water systems and how they compare with the state level of 95%. It is a “good news” graph because it shows that Conifer’s water systems – today – are converging toward meeting that 95% level.

Recharge of treated wastewater from Conifer Metro District and Aspen Park Metro District 2010 through 2023 as percentage of groundwater pumped.

Evolution of Water Quality in Conifer

In the 1980s, CWA was permitted, by decree from the state, to pump groundwater from the aquifer and release treated effluent to surface (North Turkey Creek).

The 1999 and 2001 decrees for APMD and CMD required 95% of the water to be returned to the groundwater system, or recharged. This is accomplished through an exfiltration gallery under the parking lots. For Aspen Park Metro District, the 95% recharge could not be achieved with their first or their second exfiltration gallery, resulting in a release to surface to South Turkey Creek. In 2021, APMD transferred the recharge to a new injection well and the recharge has improved.

During normal operation, Conifer Sanitation Association (CSA) pumps its effluent to CMD’s Waste Water Treatment Plant, where it is co-mingled with CMD effluent, processed, and pumped back to a point of discharge to an unnamed tributary of North Turkey Creek (near the Sinclair station at Hwy-73).

Data and interpretations on this website are presented for general information only. This is a compilation of data from multiple sources and the compilers cannot ensure accuracy. Contents are continuously updated and the compilers strive to provide the best data possible but Conifer Area Council does not assume responsibility for use by others.