For more than 40 years, the American Water Works Association (AWWA) and its members have celebrated Drinking Water Week and this year’s recognition is May 3-9.
Drinking Water Week is an opportunity to recognize the dedicated professionals who work around the clock to deliver clean, safe drinking water to homes and businesses. From treatment and testing to infrastructure maintenance and emergency response, water providers ensure that high-quality water is available whenever customers turn on the tap.
It’s also a time to reflect on how water reaches our communities. In Colorado, much of our drinking water originates as mountain snowpack, which melts and feeds rivers, reservoirs, and groundwater systems. This year, the state is experiencing significant drought conditions driven by low snowpack, below-average precipitation, and warmer-than-normal temperatures.
As of May 4, 2026, snowpack in Denver Water’s collection area remained at the lowest levels observed in the past 40 years:
- Colorado River Basin: 27% of normal, fourth-worst on record.
- South Platte River Basin: 7% of normal, third-worst on record.
In response, Denver Water declared a Stage 1 drought in March 2026.
Customers are urged not to turn on automatic sprinkler systems until at least mid- to late-May, or later if possible. When watering season begins, Denver Water will require customers in single-family residential properties to limit watering to no more than two days per week on a set schedule based on their address.
- 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.
Water providers are carefully managing supplies, but community participation is critical. Small changes—like fixing leaks, adjusting irrigation schedules, and using water-efficient fixtures—can make a significant difference when multiplied across thousands of households.
While drought conditions may improve with future precipitation, water conservation is a long-term necessity in Colorado’s semi-arid climate. Drinking Water Week serves as a reminder that every drop counts—not just during drought, but every day.