5 Colo. Code Regs. § 1002-72.16
The fiscal impact statement from the phosphorus standard on Cherry Creek Reservoir defined estimated benefits of the adopted standard. The master plan does not readdress the benefits of the standard but does define the costs of providing wastewater treatment and storm water treatment in the basin. To reduce phosphorus loads from nonpoint sources, the plan estimates a total cost of $2 to 4 million per year. The initial phase of subbasins contracts for five subbasins will have an annual cost of one million dollars per year. These costs will be borne by the residents of the basin since there is no known outside source of funding.
The point source costs are based on providing capacity up to the estimated phosphorus loading limit. This limit of 14.4 mgd is much less than the capacity needed to support buildout of the basin but was used in the plan until other methods of phosphorus control (primarily nonpoint) can be identified.
To provide that amount of capacity in the basin is estimated to cost $30-35 million dollars on an annualized basis, including both capital and operation and maintenance costs. Estimating the portion of that cost that is strictly for phosphorus removal is very difficult since some phosphorus removal will occur in secondary treatment plants. Also the land application systems in the basin plan are used for water resources management regardless of the phosphorus removal benefit. However, the analysis suggested that plan components added strictly for phosphorus removal account for approximately 10 percent of the capital costs and the operating and maintenance costs of about 3 to 3.5 million dollars per year.
These costs fall within the range of benefits estimated by the Commission for the reservoir. It should be noted that the costs and benefits do not always fall upon the same individuals. The costs will be the responsibility of the basin residents and landowners while the benefits will primarily accrue to those persons, both in and out of the basin, who directly enjoy the beneficial uses of the reservoir.
5 CCR 1002-72.16