The deutsch domestic water company, located in western colorado, will improve its municipal and irrigation water system efficiencies through canal lining, rebates, and automation

The U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation awarded a $6,889,533 WaterSMART (Sustain and Manage America's Resources for Tomorrow) project grant (CFDA #15.507) to the Deschutes River Conservancy, a non-profit organization based in Bend, Oregon. The grant will fund the Deutsch Domestic Water Company's project to improve municipal and irrigation water system efficiencies in western Colorado through canal lining, rebates, and automation. Key components include replacing 150 manual-read meters with advanced metering infrastructure, implementing a supervisory control and data acquisition system, offering rebates for turf removal and high-efficiency appliances, and converting a half-mile section of earthen canal to PVC pipe. The project is expected to result in annual water savings of 167 acre-feet by reducing leaks and seepage, allowing the company to better utilize its water rights and avoid restrictions during water shortages. The project has an expected completion date of March 31, 2026.

The project includes replacing 150 manual-read meters with advanced metering infrastructure technology, implementing a supervisory control and data acquisition system, and offering rebate programs for turf removal, smart irrigation devices, and the installation of high-efficiency indoor appliances and fixtures. In addition, the project will convert a half-mile section of the earthen young ditch to polyvinyl chloride pipe and install solar panels with a combined capacity of 70-kilowatts to power the companys pumping operations. The project is expected to result in annual water savings of 167 acre-feet, which is lost to leaks and seepage. Conserved water will help maintain water temperatures and levels, allow the company to utilize its water rights more efficiently, and avoid restrictions during periods of water shortage.