SOUTH FORK— On June 25 during the regular monthly meeting of the Town of South Fork, the board passed two ordinances that were in relation to the water system in town limits. According to Town Administrator Dan Hicks the board passed both ordinances unanimously and the public was made aware of the coming changes they can expect in the next few weeks.
According to the ordinance descriptions provided to the board during the meeting it stated, “The Town of South Fork Board of Trustees, in recognition of the State Water Division No. 3 rules dated September of 2015 for governing the withdrawal of ground water approved on March 15, 2019 by the Colorado District Court, are to consider approval of Ordinance 19-01. This ordinance requires all wells within town limits to be compliant with the Water Division No. 3 rules within one year.
These standards were created jointly by the San Luis Valley Water Conservancy District and Water Division 3 as the method to define the required quantities. The Town will use these standards to calculate its augmentation requirements for the wells it owns and utilizes to provide water services to water users on Town owned systems. Well owners required by the State Water Division No. 3 to purchase augmented water rights will also be required to follow the calculations in the Schedule A.  Any agreements approving augmented water amounts for well(s) prior to this ordinance do not have to utilize the Schedule A calculations.”  
It continues to explain the second ordinance stating, “The town now owns and maintains several water systems. Water usage fees and connection fees for water service were added to the town fee schedule in resolution 19–07. The town, through the Water Enterprise program began providing water service and invoicing customers in March of 2019. This ordinance 19-02 establishes procedures for invoicing and collection of billings for customers of town owned water systems and defines penalty charges/actions for delinquent accounts. This is the first time the town has established such procedures for a Municipal Utility.”
The town is working diligently to prepare for a new water system that will have a fiscal impact on the town through the Water Enterprise account. Funding that is placed in the account will be used to reimburse any funding spent on the new water system project, hopefully making it a self-sustaining town fund.
Davis Engineering is currently working on a design and planning phase for the town water system and has been testing water sources in several locations throughout town. The next step will be to present the plans for the new system to the Colorado Water Board for approval and additional funding that will help pay for the project.
South Fork is one of many towns in the Valley that are currently working on either new water systems or new sewage systems bringing them up to date with state standards. The process has been in the works for several years and the town is pleased to be taking the first initial steps in order to be in compliance with state regulations.