The city of Durango announced stage 1 water restrictions effective immediately on Friday, limiting residential lawn irrigation to three days a week.
The city cites record-low snowpack and snow-water equivalent levels, in addition to unseasonably warm temperatures and little precipitation, as reasons for the water restrictions.
“These factors have resulted in a critical water supply shortage as defined in the city’s 2020 Municipal Drought Management Plan,” the city said in a news release.
Public Works Director John Harris revised stage 1 and 2 water restrictions, which were formerly just advisory and educational, so that they implement actual requirements, he said at a City Council meeting.
Under the stage 1 restriction active as of Friday afternoon, residents at odd-numbered addresses are restricted to watering on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, according to the city. Residents at even-numbered addresses are restricted to watering on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
Outdoor landscape irrigation is restricted for all residents at all hours of the day on Wednesdays.
According to the city, violating the water restriction within a 12-month period comes with the following penalties:
City spokesman Tom Sluis said though there are potential penalties and fines, code enforcement officers typically try to educate residents before writing citations.
The city announced it will also reduce irrigation on city properties by an additional 10% and take other measures to conserve water at city buildings. The city has limited the washing of city fleet vehicles to once monthly and has suspended its fire hydrant flushing program, the release said.
On Tuesday, Harris said the goal with stage 1 restrictions is to reduce the city’s daily water demand by 20%. Lawn irrigation makes up 70% of the city’s water use, the remaining 30% attributed to indoor water use.
Should the city enact revised stage 2 restrictions, residents would be prohibited from personal vehicle washings and running outdoor fountains, he said. Water docks would be restricted to indoor use only, and the city would stop washing its fleet vehicles entirely except for public health purposes.
The city’s 2020 Drought Management Plan lists the city, Fort Lewis College and Hillcrest Golf Club among its top water users.
FLC spokeswoman Nardy Bickel said the college is aligning efforts with Durango Parks and Recreation to reduce its water consumption, and it expects to reduce water use by 20%.
The Durango Herald attempted to reach Hillcrest Golf Club for comment on whether it is voluntarily reducing any water consumption but did not immediately receive a response.
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