After years of rigid drought restrictions, Denver Water’s 1.1 million customers can water the lawn at will this summer – with a few exceptions.
Recognizing dwindling water demand and an expected rebound in reservoir levels, the Denver Water board adopted more lenient summertime watering rules Wednesday.
The only edict the utility is imposing on customers is that they don’t waste water.
One example of that would be watering between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Another would be failing to repair leaking sprinklers.
The utility is suggesting – but not requiring – that customers limit watering to three days a week under a schedule that has been used for several years and differentiates between even- and odd-numbered addresses.
“We are transitioning from a drought-response-driven program to a water-use program that encourages our customers to use water wisely,” said Trina McGuire-Collier, the utility’s spokeswoman.
“Our customers have demonstrated to us that they know how to use water wisely, and we believe they will continue to do so.”
Since the most recent drought hit Colorado, Denver Water customers have curtailed water use to levels not seen since 1969. As a result, the utility this year will not limit the amount of time customers can spend watering lawns each day.
Also gone from the summertime program is any mention of drought surcharges, which last year prompted many customers to revolt, claiming the utility unfairly penalized those with large lawns.
While few water watchers seem prepared to say the drought is over, other Denver-area cities have recently adopted similar programs that place fewer restrictions on customers than in recent years. Some conservation-savvy cities, such as Boulder, are embracing completely voluntary programs.
Utility officials say they aren’t quite sure how Denver-area residents will respond to fewer restrictions, but are encouraged by a recent survey in which 66 percent of customers said they would not increase water use given unlimited water.
Elizabeth Gardener, the utility’s manager of conservation, said this year’s program gives customers the flexibility to take care of individual watering needs while promoting conservation.
“Try 20 minutes,” she said. “If the lawn doesn’t look healthy, go up a minute. Do what works for you.”
The relaxed rules came as good news to many Denver Water customers, many of whom have struggled to keep their lawns alive while adhering to the utility’s rules.
Don Schlup, owner of Scien-Turf-ic Sod Farms in Aurora, said this year’s program was rooted in common sense everyone could embrace.
“Don’t water when it’s raining,” he said. “Don’t water because it’s the day the clock tells you. You need to understand the grass.”
Staff writer Kim McGuire can be reached at 303-820-1240 or kmcguire@denverpost.com.
