|
What
this means to you is
your water well should
not be very deep. |
If you are planning
to use your land for camping, or if you
are going to build a cabin and just
visit occasionally - or maybe for the
summer, you may want to consider using a
water storage tank instead of drilling a
new water well. This will save you a lot
of money and will work just as well - if
not better. Whenever
necessary, you can hire someone to
deliver a load of water. Water storage
tanks may be as low as $250. It would be
best to bury the tank below the ground
surface to keep the water cool in the
summer. To draw the water out, you can
use an economical pump that you can
purchase at the local hardware store.
Check with a hardware store for ideas,
prices, and details.
|
 |
The map
to the left shows the
underground water level in
this area. According to the
map, ground water may be
more than 32 feet below the
ground surface.
This map
and information was obtained
from the Rio Grande Water
Conservation District
website. |
It is difficult to
estimate the exact cost of drilling a
new water well. This will depend upon
the company you hire to drill the well.
Prices may vary from $15 to $55 per
foot. Based upon existing water
wells in the area and information from
the Rio Grande Water Conservation
District, it is estimated the water well
depths may be less than
200 feet
deep.
| |
General Colorado Water Well
Information |
|
Colorado has strict
rules regarding water wells and their
uses.Colorado water law provides for the
approval of various types of well permits, depending on the size of the
parcel, the intended use of the water, and the possibility of injury to
other water rights.
| |
Types
of Water Wells |
|
| |
DOMESTIC
WELL PERMITS are generally
available to property owners
who have 35 acres or more.
This permit allows up to
three homes to be served,
allows the irrigation of up
to one acre of lawn and
garden, and allows the
watering of stock. The
maximum legal pumping rate
for these wells is 15
gallons per minute (gpm). |
|
| |
HOUSEHOLD-USE-ONLY WELL
PERMITS
(this applies to your land)
are generally available on
tracts of land of less than
35 acres. One of two
provisions regarding the
parcel or lot must be met.
Either the particular tract
of land must have been in
legal existence prior to
June 1, 1972, or if created
after that date, the parcel
must have been granted a
subdivision exemption by the
County Commissioners. In
either case, documentary
proof must be provided with
the well permit application.
Only one home may be served
and no outside use of water
is permitted. The maximum
pumping rate is 15 gpm. |
|
| |
STOCK
WATERING WELL PERMITS may
generally be obtained on
parcels of 35 acres or more
and are used for the
watering of livestock on
farms and ranches. These
wells are also limited to 15 gpm. These wells may not be
used to serve stockyards or
feedlots, which are
considered non-exempt
commercial uses. |
|
The Rio Grande, the Conejos River,
their tributaries, and tributary ground water in the San Luis Valley is
generally assumed to be over-appropriated. For this reason, no new
irrigation, industrial, or large capacity commercial permits have been
issued in the San Luis Valley for many years. The only exception to this is
if the applicant has or obtains existing water rights and then makes
application to Water Court to change those existing rights to the intended
uses. This can be a time consuming and expensive process.
There are generally several kinds of
well permits still available in the San Luis Valley. Know as exempt permits,
these are Domestic, Household-use-only, Stock, Fire, and Exempt Commercial.
Only one exempt permit can be generally be issued for a particular tract of
land.
As of December 2009, the application fee for any new well
permit is $100.00. The legislative authority for these permits is contained
in Section 37-92-602, Colorado Revised Statutes, 1973. Due to some of the
provisions of this section, it is not possible to guarantee that a permit
will be issued for any particular tract of land. The only way to know for
certain is to submit an application for evaluation.
This property is
located within the
Rio Grande River
Basin -- Division 3
Colorado Division of Water Resources
State of Colorado Water Well Information
and Permits
Guide to New Well Permit Applications
Water Well Permit Application
Rules and Regulations
Colorado Water Well Contractors
Association
COLORADO DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES
DIVISION 3
(State
Agency That Issues and Governs Well
Permits)
301 MURPHY DR
PO BOX 269
ALAMOSA CO 81101
719-589-6683
In this
area, all you will need is a
septic tank and leech field
system for your camper,
cabin, or home. For prices,
check with a hardware store
and contractor. Your
total costs should be less
than $3,000.
For specifications on what you will need
and the county government requirements,
contact: Costilla
County Land Use Office
www.costillacounty-co.gov/planningandzoning.html
400 Gasper St
PO Box 130
San Luis CO 81152
(719) 672-9109
Fax: (719) 672-3003
E-mail:
planningandzoning@costillacounty.net Open 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Weekdays
Registered Contractors in Costilla
County
You have
several options for electric
power.
-
Generator is a
good option if you only occasionally
visit your property.
-
Alternative
energy is a very good source in this
area. Alternative energy includes
solar, wind, or a combination.
Electric companies are installing
solar-power plants in the area.
Schools, businesses, and the Alamosa
hospital are using solar power.
-
Traditional power
lines is another option. The
existing electrical lines are more
than a mile from your land. At last
check, the electric company charges
about $5.00/foot to run the
electrical lines. In some
cases, you will be charged a minimum
fee each month whether you use any
power or not. For more information
on this form of electrical power:
San Luis Valley Rural
Electric Cooperative
www.slvrec.com
3625 US Hwy 160 W
Monte Vista CO 81144
719-852-3538
800-332-7634
power@slvrec.com
|
Colorado Is Emerging As A
National Leader In Solar
Power |
|
As a way to
reduce your
costs (both
initially and
over the
long-term),
consider
exploring the
use of
alternative and
renewal energy
sources such as
generators, wind
or solar systems
for your
electrical
needs.
Both the Federal
government and
the State of
Colorado have
programs to
assist in the
payment of a new
renewal electric
system. The use
of alternative
power source
could save you
money. Check
with solar and
other
alternative
system dealers
and explore the
Internet for
more
information. |
|
|
A
two-kilowatt solar system that meets most of the needs of a highly
energy-efficient home should cost $16,000 to $20,000 installed, according
to the
National Renewable Energy Laboratory. A five-kilowatt system for a
more typical home should cost twice that but would eliminate the home’s
electricity bills. The lab offers a
consumers’ guide to solar power.
In addition to the new federal tax credits, almost every state offers a
smorgasbord of incentives, such as property and sales tax exemptions,
income-tax credits and deductions, and subsidized loans. You can find a
database of
state incentives here. |
|
Visit one of my
websites for additional information and
links.
www.kscland.com/solar
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