Brighton city leaders want to reduce water use by 20% with a new set of drought restrictions now in effect, joining a slew of Front Range cities already limiting outdoor watering this season.
Brighton City Council approved the first stage of on irrigation and outdoor water use at a Tuesday meeting, making them effective immediately and until further notice.
“Water restrictions play a critical role in reducing demand during the irrigation season, protecting our limited water supply for essential needs and preventing strain on the system during peak use,” city officials said in a news release Wednesday.
The drought restrictions include limiting outdoor watering to twice a week on scheduled days, no irrigation use by city water customers between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., no sod installation or replacement in areas larger than 200 square feet and no water runoff or pooling.
Homes and businesses with even-numbered street addresses can use irrigation on Tuesdays and Fridays; odd-numbered street addresses can irrigate on Wednesdays and Saturdays; and unassigned addresses on Mondays and Fridays.
Hand-watering with a watering can or hose is not included in the restrictions and “is encouraged for young trees, shrubs and flowers,” city leaders said.
People who don’t follow the restrictions will get a warning for the first two violations, followed by a fine on the third violation and municipal court summons on the fourth.
Communities across metro Denver have rolled out drought restrictions in the last month as Colorado faces a statewide drought and record-low snowpack.
