1. Q: What is the current status of the Hondius system?
A: The Hondius Water Users Association currently has approximately 65 users. The system consists of a 4 inch PVC mainline (put in place in 1996) from the connection with the Town of Estes Park in our underground vault at the intersection of Larkspur Land and Larkspur Road that runs west to Laurel Lane. From a point west of Laurel Lane and running west along Upper High Drive, the main line consists of older lines, of various composition.
2. Q: Does the system provide water in the winter?
A: The system provides water in the winter on the 4 inch PVC line to Laurel. This line was put in place in 1996 as water was previously obtained from a location within RMNP and at that time, the Park indicated Hondius could no longer obtain water from the Park. Accordingly, per writings of Ed Hartsook, the PVC line was required to hook up to the Town of Estes Park and purchase water from the Town, and the line was required to be placed at a depth of 4-5 feet in order to handle the pressure at that end of the system to keep the line in the ground. During the winter, the system runs below the “Blue Line” on the pressure provided by the Town’s water system (i.e. does not require pumps or a water tank).
3. Q: What is the current plan for service above the ‘Blue Line’?
A: The “Blue Line” is an elevation of approximately 7,900 ft. above which the Town has determined that additional pressure/pumping is required to deliver adequate water pressure to properties at that elevation. After the 2019 Annual Meeting of the HWUA, it was determined that the Board should work with an engineering firm to obtain possible options for the future of the system. This process was concluded although a cost-effective plan was not concluded at that time. Further efforts to accumulate funds have been determined necessary as noted below.
4. Q: What about service water lines?
A: Service lines to individual properties (or shared by individual properties owners) are the responsibility of the individual property owners. Most of these lines are not placed at adequate depth to obtain water in the winter.
5. Q: Who is included in the Hondius Water Users Association?
A: The members of the HWUA include the property addresses listed here.
6. Q: Could non-Hondius users now join the HWUA?
A: Those not currently Hondius users may elect to join the HWUA by supplying a service line from the Hondius Main line to their property. The HWUA requires the property owner to pay a tap fee in addition to the cost of putting in their own service line. HWUA members that have left the system relatively recently can rejoin HWUA by paying a re-connect fee. Contact HWUA for the current fee amounts.
7. Q: When is the next Annual Meeting for the HWUA members?
A: The Annual Meetings have been held on August 1st for the last several years and is planned for that date again for the foreseeable future. If you want to be notified of the time and place, please use the contact page to leave your email address (if you have not previously done so, or your email address has changed since you last provided it).
8. Q: What is the service period for summer users?
A: The system is typically opened around April 15th and shut down for the winter about October 15th, both dates dependent on anticipated weather around those times.
8. Q: What is the current cost of service?
A: All members are charged $750 semi-annually usually in March and November (note this fee was increased from $250 to $750 semi-annually in accordance with the vote of the members in the 2021 Annual Meeting). Additionally, meters are read when the summer users are turned off in October and water usage and pass-through charges from the Town for electricity and base charges are billed by Hondius with the November billing.