Denver Water warns more water restrictions are needed
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Denver Water headquarters. Photo: Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post
Denver Water is considering new water restrictions well before its annual summer watering rules take effect after a record-warm winter and low snowpack.
Why it matters: Short of an unusually wet spring, the utility's customers need to prepare for stiff restrictions to combat worsening drought conditions.
Driving the news: Denver Water is developing a drought plan for the Board of Water Commissioners to consider at its next board meeting this month.
- The plan is expected to include assigned watering days and a limit of two days of watering per week.
- The agency is warning that the rules will go beyond the typical summer watering limits.
The latest: The agency started to take action this month, asking customers to voluntarily delay using automated sprinkler systems until at least mid-May, if not June.
By the numbers: The average daily use between April 1 and May 15 is 137 million gallons per day — roughly the size of 10 Olympic swimming pools.
- From May 15 to June 1, the average spikes to 195 million gallons per day.
What they're saying: "We are asking [our customers], in this very dry year, to wait at least a few weeks longer to reduce the drain on our reservoirs," Greg Fisher, manager for demand planning and efficiency, said in a March 7 statement.
The big picture: Denver Water relies on mountain snowpack for 90% of its water supply, and this year it's at record-low levels after Colorado recorded its warmest winter ever.
- The Colorado River Basin's water collections are just 71% of normal and the fourth-worst level on record, the agency reported.
- The South Platte River Basin's water levels are just 55% of normal, the worst on record.
What's next: The Board of Water Commissioners will review recommendations at its March 25 hearing and may take immediate action or wait until its April 8 meeting, officials said.