A recently installed bulk water vending system at the Round Mountain Water District shop allows customers to pump water without a staff attendant being present.
Unlike the previous practice, where a staff member would manually pump out bulk water at a fire hydrant, now an ATM-like panel records the customer account number, amount of purchase, and collects the payment. This convenience, along with Round Mountain’s current unique water rights and availability position in the area, has elicited about eight or nine inquiries from legal marijuana grow facilities in Pueblo and Huerfano counties regarding opening business accounts for the purchase of water.
According to George Medaris, district manager, he has, with board consent, informed the growers by letter that they, like any other business, may establish an account and purchase bulk water at the vending site. To date, only one grower has done so, and has been purchasing water on a fairly regular basis for about four months.
Yeti Farms purchased 35,163 gallons in August, for example, for $527.45. They were one of 29 customers that month, who purchased a total of 101,090 gallons from the district, amounting to $1,516.35 in sales.
