It’s a drought. Use Only What You Need.
Due to record-low snowpack and below-average reservoir levels, the Denver Board of Water Commissioners has declared a Stage 1 drought.
Denver Water is asking customers to reduce indoor and outdoor water use by at least 20%, which will help preserve water levels in reservoirs and help us avoid the need to increase restrictions later this summer.
3 Things You Need to Know:
- Keep automatic sprinkler systems OFF until mid-to-late May. If needed, hand-water trees and shrubs.
- Indoor water savings are just as important. Conduct an Indoor Self-Audit to find hidden leaks. Wash full loads of clothes and dishes and do 1-2 less loads a week. Reduce shower times.
- Once irrigation begins, outdoor watering is restricted to 2 days per week on assigned days. Lawns may only be watered before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m.
This summer, customers in single-family residential properties may water no more than two days per week and must follow a set schedule:
- Addresses ending in even numbers: Sunday and Thursday.
- Addresses ending in odd numbers: Wednesday and Saturday.
All other customers, including multifamily properties, commercial properties, homeowners associations and government properties, may water only on Tuesdays and Fridays.
In addition, customers must follow Denver Water’s annual summer watering rules:
- Water only during cooler times of the day, between 6 p.m. and 10 a.m.
- Do not allow water to pool in gutters, streets and alleys.
- Do not waste water by letting it spray on concrete and asphalt.
- Repair leaking sprinkler systems within 10 days.
- Do not irrigate while it is raining or during high winds.
- Use a hose nozzle with a shut-off valve when washing your car.
As of March 23, 2026, Denver Water’s reservoir storage stood at 80% full. Average for this time of year is 85% full.
Also as of March 23, Snowpack levels, which indicate how much water Denver Water can expect to melt and enter reservoirs this spring, continue to be among the worst on record in Denver Water’s two primary watersheds, the Colorado River Basin (55% of normal, worst on record) and the South Platte River Basin (42% of normal, worst on record).
Photo and information above provided by Denver Water.