Water Conservation & Outdoor Irrigation Tips / 4th Tier Rate increases

As we leave one of the driest winters on record, and entering into a potential dry spring and summer season, we are asking each of our members to please help us make every drop count and to conserve water usage whenever possible. Typically, outside irrigation use accounts for almost 40% of Colorado's municipal water used.

Our Fee Structure was initially created to encourage our members to use less water. The use tiers are designated by volume of water used, so the tier you fall in is entirely in your control. As your water use increases, so does the per 1,000 gallons of water used cost. A rate change took effect in January 2026, with an increase in the cost of the per 1,000 gallons of water used in 4th tier fee structure. Any water used in the 4th tier will now be billed at $18.00 per 1,000 gallons. A few recommended conservation tips include:

• Review your water bill each month. Familiarize yourself with your average monthly water use. If you notice a change in your monthly consumption, please contact our office as soon as possible. We will dispatch our operators to obtain a 96-day datalog which contains use history from your meter and will help pinpoint any issues that may be occurring.
• Know where your irrigation system controls are located, how to manage your irrigation system, and how to adjust the watering schedule based on the time of year and weather. Do not water between 10 am and 6 pm when evaporation is generally the highest or when it is windy or raining.
• When setting your irrigation schedule, it is recommended to water 2–3 times a week vs daily. Heavily watering, but watering less frequently helps the roots of the grass become stronger by growing deeper. Roots that are saturated by over watering may turn grass yellow.
• Do not waste water by letting your sprinklers spray concrete sidewalks or driveways.
• Mow your lawn a day or two after you water. A lawn mowed at 3” is more drought tolerant than a lawn mowed at 2”. Only remove 1/3rd of the grass blade at a time to help minimize stress.
• Consider Xeriscaping your yard to reduce the need for irrigation. Install low-volume micro-irrigation for gardens, trees, and shrubs.
• Have your irrigation system checked when you turn it on each year, and periodically throughout the season to ensure there are no leaks or breaks in the plumbing or spinkler heads.

With your help and a proactive approach, it is possible to conserve this precious resource we all depend on, together.