DENVER (AP) - Colorado's largest municipal water providers are considering restricting spring and summer watering to two times a week because of the continuing drought.
Denver Water, Aurora Water and Colorado Springs Utilities are considering strict drought restrictions, which have yet to be approved.
"We've never seen conditions like this, and we are concerned about our water supply," Jim Lochhead, CEO/manager of Denver Water, said. "Our reservoirs haven't been full since July 2011. We need our customers' help to reduce water use and keep as much water as possible in storage as we move through this year and into the next."
The utility asks customers to be cautious with water use this spring. While April is a good time to get irrigation systems set-up and examined, they don't need to be used yet. Instead, postpone turning on sprinkler systems and hand-water sloped areas of the lawn or sections that are receiving full sunlight. April is typically a cool month with some precipitation, so it may not be necessary to water lawns two days a week, which will help save water.
Mandatory watering restrictions mean Denver Water customers may only water two days a week and must follow this schedule:
- Single-family residential properties with even-numbered addresses: Sunday, Thursday
- Single-family residential properties with odd-numbered addresses: Saturday, Wednesday
- All other properties (multi-family, HOA, commercial, industrial, government): Tuesday, Friday
In addition, customers must follow these annual watering rules:
- Do not water lawns between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
- Do not waste water by allowing it to pool in gutters, streets and alleys.
- Do not waste water by letting it spray on concrete and asphalt.
- Repair leaking sprinkler systems within 10 days.
- Do not water while it is raining or during high winds.
Snowpack in the South Platte and Colorado River basins from which Denver Water receives water are 53 percent of average and 68 percent of average, respectively. That snow is what serves as Denver's water supply.
(KUSA-TV © 2013 Multimedia Holdings Corporation with The Associated Press)