The Denver Board of Water Commissioners has declared a Stage 1 drought. Mandatory watering restrictions have been implemented. Please keep sprinkler systems off until mid to late May.
Stage 1 drought means Denver Water is asking customers to reduce their total water use (outdoor and indoor) by at least 20%, which will help preserve water levels in our reservoirs and help us avoid the need to increase restrictions later this summer. To help reach that goal, they are imposing mandatory outdoor watering restrictions of two days per week on assigned days during the irrigation season through Oct. 1.
Stage 1 Drought: Mandatory Restrictions
Stage 1 drought means mandatory outdoor watering restrictions are now in effect.
- Customers must follow their assigned watering days. Lawns may be watered no more than two days per week.
- Lawn watering is only allowed before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m.
| Customer type | Assigned watering days |
|---|---|
| Single-family residential: Even-numbered addresses. | Sunday and Thursday |
| Single-family residential: Odd-numbered addresses. | Wednesday and Saturday |
| All others (including multifamily and commercial). — Non-residential, large irrigation customers may be eligible for our 2026 Water Budget Program. | Tuesday and Friday |
Under the temporary drought pricing approved by the board, for Denver Water residential customers in Denver and the suburbs:
- The first tier will be exempt from the temporary drought charge. This tier is charged at the lowest rate and covers essential indoor water use for bathing, cooking and flushing toilets. Each customer has their individual first tier determined by the average of their monthly water use as listed on bills that arrive in January, February and March — when there is very little or no outdoor watering.
- The second tier will have a temporary drought charge of $1.10 per 1,000 gallons added on top of their 2026 water rates. This tier is for water consumption, typically used for outdoor watering, that is above the customer’s first tier and up to 15,000 gallons of water per month. Water use in this tier is considered to be an efficient use of water outdoors.
- The third tier will have a temporary drought charge of $2.20 per 1,000 gallons of water added on top of their 2026 water rates. Tier 3 is for water use above the second tier each month. It is priced at the highest level to signal potentially excessive water use and encourage conservation efforts by larger-lot customers.
Summer Watering Rules (Applies to All Customers)
These rules apply every summer, regardless of drought conditions:
- 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.
Sign up for Denver Water’s monthly email newsletter to get drought updates and easy tips and resources to help you reduce water use and Use Only What You Need this summer.