San Juan Water Conservancy District is preparing with legal counsel for upcoming mediation with Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District (PAWSD). Following an Executive Session in SJWCD's February 16, 2026 Regular Meeting, the Board of Directors approved the following statement, but took no other action.
“This board is committed to efforts to end the frivolous and costly litigation that PAWSD started more than a year ago. It has cost these boards, and therefore, the taxpayers and ratepayers, a lot. We have long seen the need for a demand and water supply analysis of a sufficient time horizon by qualified professionals as providing a path to common ground. I see it as being an essential component to settlement. The entire community benefits from planning based on the best available forecasts. PAWSD should embrace the opportunity to demonstrate how it is prepared to serve ratepayers and the limits of what PAWSD can be counted on to provide.
This is not the only essential element of a compromise, but it is significant not only to end this costly litigation, but to serve the interests of the community looking ahead.”
