Aurora says Binney connection delay cuts WISE deliveries; Dominion agreements amended

Aurora water staff provided a detailed briefing on June 17 about longstanding agreements with Dominion Water and Sanitation District and changes tied to the WISE partnership. Alex, the water department presenter, said infrastructure shortfalls at the Binney treatment plant triggered a reduction in Aurora's committed WISE deliveries.

"The permanent connection to Binney was not completed," Alex said. "As a result, our block was reduced by 5,000 acre‑feet." Alex said the department began the first 10‑year WISE block with a 95,000 acre‑foot obligation that was lowered to 90,000 because a June 1 infrastructure deadline was missed.

Dominion agreements and delivery points: Alex reviewed three Dominion volumes that Aurora had managed under separate agreements — commonly described in the meeting as 230, 250 and 570 acre‑foot arrangements — noting that the temporary 570 obligation has ended since Dominion completed a pipeline connection to WISE. The 230 acre‑foot obligation continues to be delivered via the Rampart/Roxborough connection until Oct. 31, 2031, or until Dominion constructs its own diversion and switches delivery to the WISE master meter.

Staff emphasized that the amended agreements also include updated pricing to reflect Aurora's infrastructure use. "Previously we were not fully charging Dominion for the use of our infrastructure... now all of these agreements include better pricing," Alex said.

WISE, interruptible supplies and salinity concerns: the presentation explained WISE's block structure and that deliveries are interruptible in dry years. Alex warned about longer‑term water quality implications: regulatory blending requirements in the agreements expire in 2031, after which members could deliver higher‑salinity (South Platte) water unless treatment is added. "We're looking at potentially partnering... in an RO facility to remove salt," Alex said, describing early study work and possible regional partnerships.

Why it matters: the Binney connection delay directly reduced Aurora's expected WISE supplies and raised questions about how WISE members allocate smaller blocks, trade or sell shares, and manage salinity as reuse volumes grow. Staff said these are active negotiations and accounting issues that will continue to evolve.

Next steps: staff said they will continue testing and commissioning work on the Binney permanent connection, and monitor WISE accounting and delivery changes; the committee asked staff to provide further updates to council as infrastructure milestones are reached.

Ending: staff characterized the actions as contract and infrastructure management rather than new policy, and emphasized follow-up reporting on Binney testing and WISE delivery accounting.