March 30, 2005 PARTNERS

ECCV ANNOUNCES PARTNERS IN WATER PIPELINE  

March 30, 2005

South Metro Water Supply Authority to Join ECCV’s Planned Northern Pipeline

NEWS RELEASE

Contact: David Kaunisto, ECCV, 303-693-3800
Kristy Bassuener, Webb PR, 303-796-8888

Arapahoe County, CO – The East Cherry Creek Valley Water and Sanitation District (ECCV) today announces that the South Metro Water Supply Authority (SMWSA) has agreed to participate in ECCV’s Northern Pipeline. Officially announced in December 2003, ECCV’s Northern Project includes the Northern Pipeline, pump stations and a treatment plant to serve its customers’ water needs for the future. In 2006, the Northern Water Project – named H2’06 – will supply renewable water to the southeast metro communities that currently rely on non-renewable groundwater. The source of this water is the South Platte River. The water will be taken from the river near the Adams-Weld County border, and injected into the Beebe Draw, a shallow aquifer system near Barr Lake.

“We’re thrilled that the SMWSA will be participating in the pipeline project,” said Dave Kaunisto, ECCV District Manager. “These agreements would never have come to fruition without the hard work and dedication of our Board and staff, as well as other community leaders.”

The SMWSA is comprised of water providers in the South Metro area. SMWSA members agreeing to buy capacity in ECCV’s water pipeline include Arapahoe County Water and Wastewater Authority, Centennial Water and Sanitation District, Cottonwood Water and Sanitation District, Inverness Water & Sanitation District, and Stonegate Village Metropolitan District. The Town of Castle Rock will consider participation at a future date.

The addition of new participants in the Northern Project will allow ECCV to increase the planned pipeline size to 48” from 42” inches. ECCV’s Board of Directors awarded a contract to manufacture the pipe to Northwest Pipe at its March 24th board meeting. In 2004, the District tapped Denver-based Camp Dresser and McKee Inc. as the design consultant for the project and ERS and Garney Construction as construction consultants.

Altogether, the SMWSA will pay an estimated total of $9.5 million for its capacity in the pipeline. The overall cost of the Northern Pipeline is estimated at $67 million. The SMSWA is purchasing capacity in the pipeline only, and the agreement does not include water rights or capacity in the water treatment plant or pump stations.

“This partnership will benefit all of the participants,” said E. Peter Elzi, Jr., President of ECCV’s Board of Directors.

The southeast metro communities have been searching for renewable water supplies to complement their deep groundwater sources. The SMWSA’s involvement in ECCV’s Northern Pipeline will provide the participants with additional opportunities to secure renewable water.

About H2’06, The Northern Project
In December 2003, ECCV announced an agreement to buy South Platte River water rights from United Water & Sanitation District and Farmers Reservoir and Irrigation Company (FRICO), an irrigation water provider in Adams and Weld Counties. The initial phase of the project will bring 3,000 acre-feet of water per year to ECCV.

H2’06 includes the construction of a water-treatment facility, pumping facilities and pipelines as well as the acquisition of surface water rights. ECCV will take delivery of the water in Adams County, and will spend $67 million to construct a water treatment plant, pipeline, and pump stations near Barr Lake, a FRICO property. The water will be transported through a new pipeline to ECCV’s tanks, located on the eastern edge of the district near Smoky Hill Road and E-470. ECCV plans to have the water available for use in the summer of 2006.

About East Cherry Creek Valley Water & Sanitation District:
The East Cherry Creek Valley Water and Sanitation District serves approximately 50,000 people in the eastern portions of the City of Centennial and unincorporated Arapahoe County. For the most up-to-date information on the District and our H2’06 water project, please check our Web site at www.eccv.org or contact the customer service department at 303-693-3800.