It’s a drought. Use Only What You Need.
Denver Water has declared a Stage 1 drought
Stage 1 drought means Denver Water is asking customers to reduce their total water use (outdoors and indoors) by at least 20%, which will help stretch our water supplies and reduce the likelihood of increasing restrictions later this summer.
To help reach that goal, we are enforcing summer outdoor watering rules, including mandatory outdoor watering restrictions of two days per week on assigned days.
Interested in adding a Use Only What You Need yard sign to your lawn? We will offer two dates to pick up a yard sign from the Denver Water Administration Building. Quantities are limited and are first come, first served. We will announce the distribution dates on our social media channels a week in advance, so stay tuned!
Email subscribers will get an email notification about the distribution opportunity on the same date that the social media post is released.
Sign up for our monthly email newsletter to get drought updates and simple tips and resources to help you reduce water use and Use Only What You Need this summer.
Your top questions, answered.
Drought conditions
On March 25, the Board of Water Commissioners declared Stage 1 drought and established a goal to reduce water use by 20% this year, which will help stretch our water supplies and reduce the likelihood of increasing restrictions later this summer.
Ultimately, there are four stages of response (We are currently in Stage 1):
- Watch: Increased communication and outreach; possible water use restrictions as provided by contract.
- Stage 1: Mandatory water use restrictions, including limiting outdoor watering.
- Stage 2: Increased mandatory water use restrictions, including certain prohibitions on outdoor watering.
- Stage 3: Rationing of water.
Yes. This year's drought is a combination of record-low snowpack over the winter and record-high temperatures during what is traditionally the snowiest month of the year for Colorado. Conditions are significantly worse than past drought years.
Get the full story on TAP.
The Stage 1 drought declaration is in effect from March 25, 2026 through April 30, 2027, or until further notice. Conditions and customer response will determine whether additional actions are needed.
Stage 1 drought is in effect from March 25, 2026 through April 30, 2027, or until further notice, requiring customers to follow a two-day per week watering schedule. Annual watering rules are also still in effect, including no watering between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Because Denver Water's reservoirs will be lower this summer there will be impacts to recreation at certain facilities. Please check our recreation areas resources before visiting a Denver Water facility for latest information on what activities are/aren't available at each location.
Watering restrictions and rules
Many golf courses in Denver Water's service area have either committed to a 20% reduction in water use through an official water budget agreement, or utilize other sources of water — like recycled, well or their own water rights — for irrigation purposes. Any golf courses or large properties that have not committed to this 20% reduction and are utilizing potable water will be required to follow the mandatory watering day schedule. All customers using Denver Water for irrigation, whether recycled or potable, must follow the annual watering rules, except as specifically exempted in writing.
Yes, all Denver Water customers are being asked to cut water use by 20%. Additionally, drought charges will send a price signal on higher water use. Commercial and industrial customers can avoid that premium by finding efficiencies and answering our call to reduce their water use.
Every operation is different, and we encourage innovation in finding ways to reduce water use.
Recycled water comes from reusable supplies and users are approved to irrigate any day of the week. They must follow Denver Water’s annual watering rules, which includes not watering between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
By building the recycled water system, Denver Water supplies recycled water that can be used for irrigation, industrial and commercial operations reserving the highest-quality water for drinking, cooking and cleaning.
Operation of pools is permitted. We do ask that customers ensure pools are not wasting water.
Customers are highly encouraged to not operate any existing outdoor fountain or waterfall that sprays water into the air. Recirculating splash pads and low flow interactive water play features are allowed to operate, as we understand that splash pads are a benefit to health and safety — especially during hot and dry weather.
Customers are highly encouraged to not operate any existing outdoor fountain or waterfall that sprays water into the air.
Restaurants in the Denver Water service area are required to serve water only upon request. This requirement is an opportunity to reduce unnecessary water waste. Restaurants are to serve water only when requested, or should ask if customers want water before providing it to them. This avoids pouring out unused water and having to wash glasses unnecessarily.
HOAs cannot penalize homeowners for failing to water their lawns if the homeowners are acting in compliance with our drought restrictions.
Single-family residents within an HOA should water based on their address. Even addresses are Sunday and Thursday. Odd addresses are Wednesday and Saturday.
Multifamily residences and HOA-maintained common areas can water on Tuesday and Friday.
If the HOA is responsible for watering the front lawn, the HOA should follow the watering schedule for multifamily, commercial and irrigation only customers, which are Tuesdays and Fridays.
If you live in a fourplex but each unit does not water its own front lawn, you are required to water on the multifamily day. If you live in a fourplex and are required to water the front lawn, you should follow the single-family residential watering schedule based on unit number.
HOA residents who are responsible for watering their own lawn should follow the watering days based on their address. If you are experiencing water pressure issues or have other concerns with the amount of area that is being watered, consider applying for a watering day variance through the exemption process.
Using water at home
Denver Water needs a 20% reduction in each customer's indoor and outdoor water use to help stretch our water supplies and reduce the likelihood of increasing restrictions later this summer.
Here are some actions you can take to meet the reduction:
- Sign up for monthly outdoor water use reports to help you track your outdoor water use and get tips to water your lawn efficiently during drought.
- Visit our resources on How to Save Water for the latest tips and guidance.
- Consider remodeling your yard for drought with water-wise ColoradoScape options.
During a drought, vehicle washing and power washing are still allowed — with some important limits to reduce water waste.
Vehicle washing
- Personal vehicles may be washed any day using a bucket or a hand-held hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle.
- Fleet and commercial vehicles may be washed no more than once per week, unless more frequent washing is needed for public health or safety.
- Commercial car washes may continue operating but must use water efficiently.
Power washing hard surfaces
- Residential power washing is allowed only on your assigned watering day, unless there is an immediate health or safety need. Cleaning without water should be done first whenever possible.
- Commercial power washing businesses are not subject to day-of-the-week limits, but must clean without water first, use high-efficiency equipment, and prevent water waste.
New seed, sod or plant projects are exempt from two-day-a-week watering temporarily during establishment; however, watering rules and normal rates (including drought pricing) still apply.
| Plant Type | Temporary Allowance |
|---|---|
| New native grass seed | Up to 8 weeks |
| New sod, trees or shrubs | Up to 3 weeks |
During a drought, trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals and vegetables may be watered any day using a hand-held hose or low-volume, non-spray irrigation (such as drip systems).
To reduce water loss from evaporation, watering is not allowed between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
This helps keep essential plants alive while still conserving water during hot, dry conditions.
Following the watering rules is critical during a drought — but it’s only the start. Many customers can save 20% or more by making a few smart changes indoors and outdoors.
From watering more efficiently and reducing outdoor use to earning rebates for high-efficiency fixtures and water-wise landscapes, small actions add up quickly — especially during drought conditions.
But wait, isn't this water waste?
You may see watering outside standard days at large public spaces because they are operating under Denver Water-approved water budgets and are authorized to water more than two days a week while staying within their total allowed use.
Some large public landscapes — such as parks and recreation districts, public schools and golf courses — are exempt from standard watering days and time restrictions because they operate under Denver Water-approved water budgets. These customers are reducing water use by 20% and are accountable for staying within agreed upon consumption limits, which Denver Water closely monitors.
Because these sites can span many acres, it isn’t feasible to irrigate all landscaped areas within the same limited watering windows required for smaller properties. This flexibility helps maintain safe, functional public spaces while supporting systemwide conservation and protecting the reliability of Denver Water’s supply during drought conditions.
There are several reasons why you may see water running down the street.
Flushing: We may be flushing water pipes, or water mains, to help maintain water quality. Water is purged out of the water main by opening fire hydrants or “blow-off” valves in dead-end streets, cul-de-sacs and pressure zone boundaries. Denver Water may also be flushing hydrants when requested by fire departments or insurance companies to ensure adequate flow for fire protection. We do this as efficiently as possible, and it is necessary under the current drought restrictions, for the quality of the water.
Installing or replacing a pipe: Denver Water crews install or replace an average of 80,000 feet of pipe per year, with the goal of replacing 140,000 feet of pipe per year by 2026. Replacements are done for various reasons, including repairing or preventing main breaks, replacing corroded pipe, alleviating water quality concerns, increasing available hydrant fire flow and improving overall area delivery. Flushing the water main is part of the disinfection process for the newly installed or repaired water main.
Leaks: There may be a leak, such as a pipe break or service line leak, in your neighborhood. Denver Water provides water emergency response 24 hours a day. Report a leak, main break or emergency service problem by calling 303-893-2444 during regular business hours, Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. After hours call 303-628-6801.
Can I collect the water, or will Denver Water divert the water to my landscape?
Because of high water pressure directly out of the hydrants, residents cannot collect water directly from the flushing nozzle. It’s typically not suitable to direct irrigation for this reason as it could damage landscaping. Residents in homes near a flushing location may work with on-site staff to recover some flushed water from the street for use in irrigation.
- If you see water waste in Denver parks (water use that does not meet the rules call 3-1-1).
- To report water waste anywhere else, call Denver Water at 303-893-2444 or report online.