March 09, 2009 - Unusually warm, dry conditions in the Denver area in February and early March have people wondering about watering landscapes.
“It feels like spring is just around the corner, but resist the temptation to turn on your sprinkler system,” said Melissa Elliott, conservation manager for Denver Water. “Your lawn is dormant because soil temperatures remain cool, even on warm afternoons. The water will be wasted if you irrigate now.” Lawn-watering shouldn’t begin until the risk of a hard freeze is gone, which is usually in mid-April.
Denver Water is encouraging residents to hand-water trees and shrubs now, to maintain their health in the warmer, dry weather.
“As for the supply picture, it is too early to make predictions about what our summer supply will look like,” said Elliott. “However, regardless of snowpack and water supply, the reality is we live in a semi-arid climate and always need to use water wisely.”
Currently, snowpack in Denver Water’s collection system is 97 percent of the historical average. However, March and April are wet months in Colorado and contribute a large share of the snow and water that fills reservoirs. Denver’s water supply engineers are closely analyzing snowpack, reservoir levels, weather patterns, soil moisture and other factors that ultimately determine the amount of water available for customers’ use. Reservoir levels have been kept high thanks in part to customers’ responsible use of water.
The utility always has permanent rules that begin in May, which include no watering between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.; no watering more than three days a week, and not spraying water on concrete and asphalt.
Denver Water customers have been responsible stewards of water in recent years and are making good progress toward reaching the utility’s goal to reduce overall water use to 22 percent below 2001 water use levels by the year 2016. Last year’s savings was 18 percent. The utility’s goal is to make these savings and changes in water use habits a permanent way of life.
"Water is a precious resource, particularly in the West where precipitation is limited," said Elliott. "By being superior stewards of this resource today, we can help ensure adequate supplies for the future."