Q: I tried calling Denver Water to report water waste and wound up getting the voice-mail runaround. Where do I call to report waste when I see it?— Jim, Denver
A: Denver Water each year establishes its rules for summer watering that customers are to follow.
The rules are set with healthy lawns and gardens in mind, but the primary purpose, of course, is to conserve water, a pretty valuable resource in this high-plains desert we call home.
As part of that conservation effort, Denver Water has methods for users to report when the rules are not being followed, particularly watering abuses.
The number you called — 303-893- 2444 — is actually for Denver Water’s customer-care center, which mostly handles billing inquiries. However, the automated system is such that you can find your way to report water waste. You can also call 311 to report waste.
It’s not clear what you might have tried when you called the customer- care phone, but I gave it a whirl Monday, and while I agree it’s a somewhat convoluted menu to get to where you want to be, it’s not impossible.
Three or four menu choices later, I was speaking with one of the three people who answer the waste-complaint calls.
She said some calls do, indeed, kick to voice mail during weekdays, but they’re typically handled within an hour. That includes referrals to the eight water monitors across the agency’s service area.
And there are many. Last month, there were 700 calls to report water waste.
David Migoya
wants to get the answers to your consumer questions. E-mail him at consumertips@denverpost.com.
