Water Quality 

PPACG is the lead water quality planning agency for the Pikes Peak region, which is home to five watersheds and portions of two major drainage basins—the South Platte and Arkansas rivers. With these natural features, PPACG employs a watershed approach to water quality management.

Through its 208 Water Quality Management Plan, PPACG identifies water quality issues and recommends future policies and technical strategies for all five of the watersheds. The plan provides specific guidance on water quality goals and the associated social, economic, and environmental costs and benefits. PPACG also coordinates the review of site applications for the development of new wastewater treatment facilities, lift stations and interceptors as well as modifications of existing wastewater treatment plants.

Water Quality Management Plan 208

Click image for Water Quality Management Plan. 

PPACG is required under federal and state statutes to develop a Water Quality Management Plan (208 Plan) to address water quality issues within the Pikes Peak region – El Paso, Teller and Park counties. The 208 Plan describes water quality programs and issues and recommends future policies and technical strategies. The 208 Plan recognizes that each watershed in the Pikes Peak region is uniquely different and that water quality problems can be both diffuse and site specific.

The 2003 208 Plan supersedes the previous update of the 208 Plan that was completed in 1999. The changes that are contained in the 2003 208 Plan update include: changes to the population projections based on 2000 census data; revisions to the regional policies; a revised water quality assessment which identifies the major water quality issues for each watershed; revised description of the point source dischargers and point source inventory data sheets; development of a new section entitled environmental, social and economic impacts of Plan; updates to the nonpoint source assessment; and revised conclusions and recommendations for each watershed. The 2003 update of the 208 Plan follows the watershed approach that was initially taken in the 1999 Plan.

The 208 Plan was developed by PPACG with the assistance of PPACG’s Water Quality Management Committee (WQMC). The WQMC consists of representatives of special districts and local military installations who are involved with water quality management, along with local governments located within El Paso, Teller and Park Counties. Through monthly meetings, members reviewed and made recommendations regarding information to be incorporated into the 208 Plan.

Review of  Water Quality Site Applications

PPACG staff and the Water Quality Management Committee (WQMC) review site applications for the El Paso, Teller and Park Counties area and recommend acceptance or rejection to the PPACG Board of Directors, which is responsible for the signing of the application. This review assists the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment – Water Quality Control Division in its decision to issue the site application. All site applications are required to be consistent with the latest revision of the Water Quality Management (208) Plan.