Water utilities around the state are responding to an early peak snowpack and snowmelt with summer restrictions — or warnings about possible cutbacks — and calls for increased conservation.
Snow accumulation in the winter months is crucial for Colorado and the downstream states that rely on snowmelt from the Rocky Mountains. This year, that snowpack was sparse, the worst since at least 1987. Its accumulation peaked nearly one month early, and has been followed by a rapid melt during an unseasonably warm March.
For Colorado’s urban residents, water planners have one central message: Be prepared to cut down on outdoor watering for lawns and landscapes, either voluntarily or as part of a mandated drought response plan.
“With the weather, with these drought conditions, that’s a red flag for us that we need to be really proactive,” Alice Conovitz, water conservation specialist with Fort Collins Utilities, said.
Outdoor urban water use makes up about 2.8% of the state’s annual total. Overall, cities and industries account for 7% of the state’s water use, with agriculture consuming the most at about 90%.
For cities and towns, outdoor watering typically accounts for the largest increase in water use during the spring and summer months. That use can go even higher when customers use more water outdoors during drought and extremely hot periods.
State lawmakers, local municipalities and water providers have been pushing for more permanent ways to conserve water in urban areas by replacing thirsty turf, particularly in sparsely used areas.
Front Range water planners are looking at this year’s thin winter snowpack to gauge how much snowmelt is available to refill reservoirs and whether to activate deeper outdoor water use restrictions this summer. (The state prioritizes water for drinking and public health and safety, so don’t worry about filling your cup at home.)
What’s happening on the Front Range?
Aurora Water staff is recommending a Stage 1 drought declaration for its city council to vote on April 6, which means the agency believes its reserves have fallen to a 19- to 24-month supply. Under a Stage 1 drought, Aurora residents could only water lawns twice a week, and no new sod installations would be allowed, since they require multiple daily waterings to take hold.
Denver Water says its board is “likely” to declare drought restrictions Wednesday, which would include cutting customers back to two days of watering a week on assigned days. Denver Water officials are underlining what they call the worst Colorado spring snowpack in their records, and asking people to hold off lawn watering in any form until mid- or late May.
Fort Collins Utilities, one of many water districts that serves the city of Fort Collins, is waiting to make a call on voluntary or mandated restrictions — while preparing customers for conservation this summer. The utility wants to get more information about this year’s supplies, which will likely happen in early April, Conovitz said.
“Our main message is that we’re watching conditions,” she said. “It’s still a little too early to tell if we’re going to need either voluntary action or mandatory restriction.”
Pueblo’s water agency says its reservoir preservation is working well, and it has no plans for new water restrictions this summer. Pueblo has not had to declare a drought emergency and water restrictions since the severe 2002 drought, a spokesperson said.
Highlands Ranch Water declared a drought watch March 1, citing severe drought conditions, a below-normal snowpack and customer demand predicted to be 22% above normal. The drought watch limits outdoor watering to three days per week.
For Castle Rock Water, peak summer water use can reach 20 million gallons per day or more. In hot, dry periods, that usage can spike by 5% to 10%, which can put significant strain on the utility’s water supplies, according to a statement from the utility.
Castle Rock Water is considering entering into its first drought stage, which requests that all customers voluntarily and immediately cut consumption by 10% to help reduce daily demands, the utility said.
For a household that uses 16,000 gallons per month watering plants outside (plus 4,000 gallons per month indoors), a 10% reduction would be about 2,000 gallons — or cutting down on outdoor watering time by 12.5%, the utility said. Any drought stage declarations must be approved by Castle Rock Town Council.
Colorado Springs Utilities, governed by the city council, cannot enact drought restrictions until reservoir supplies fall below 1.5 years of demand by April 1.
Its current systemwide storage capacity could meet about three years of customer demand — above the threshold for enacting water restrictions, said spokesperson Jennifer Jordan.
Still, she added, the utility did move to enact a preliminary stage of its drought ordinance in a formal action earlier this month. The preparing-for-drought stage triggers a series of public education efforts and even more intensive internal monitoring of supplies and system stresses.
Summer watering tips and tools
Water conservation looks different for homeowners with lawns within water utility service areas versus renters in apartments and homes that rely on wells or are not served by a water utility.
The first step for any Colorado resident is to get familiar with local outdoor watering rules and best practices.
Check with your water utility, if you have one. Every water utility is different — from their systems of pipes, wells and reservoirs to their storage capacities, water demands and sensitivities to drought.
Residents can often check their utility’s websites or sign up for newsletter updates to tune into restriction decisions and find localized water use tips for drought years.
The second tip: wait to start watering landscaping — except the trees.
“Best practices on landscapes are to really prioritize water use to critical landscape elements, like trees,” Conovitz said. “If your tree is damaged or dies, it takes decades to come back. … Turf has a lot of value, but prioritize that tree watering first.”
Highlands Ranch warned customers against turning on their outdoor sprinklers before April. Running them too early risks damage from overnight freezes — plus the utility’s outdoor water budgets begin in April, according to its drought watch update.
But, limited winter watering may be appropriate during extended dry periods, especially to protect trees and shrubs, according to Highlands Ranch Water’s drought watch. During winter, customers can use 1,000 gallons of water per billing cycle for watering during dry periods.
In Douglas County, the water utilities recommend waiting to turn on outdoor sprinklers and irrigation systems until mid-May and checking those systems for leaks or broken heads.
Many utilities offer rebates to help with water efficiency, so residents should take advantage of those, Douglas County said in a news release.
“Using water wisely is something we can all practice every year,” Parker Water & Sanitation District Manager Ron Redd said. “Being aware of conditions and using water responsibly helps protect this vital resource for all of us.”
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