With the western slope under a NOAA Heat Advisory and an Excessive Heat Advisory for the southwest portion of the United States, the four water districts in Steamboat Springs will continue the Mandatory Stage 2 Water Restrictions for the remainder of the summer.
“Conditions continue to dry out in our region and we’re seeing hotter temperatures across Colorado, and in many cases, record temperatures for many areas,” said Frank Alfone, Mt. Werner Water. “As a community, we were able to get a jump on what’s shaping up to be a very hot and dry summer with the early implementation of Stage 2 in May. We appreciate everyone’s cooperation and their support as we head into the heart of summer.”
While May experienced near average temperatures and about 1.3 inches more in precipitation than normal (3.52 reported with an average of 2.24), June so far has seen temperatures about 5 degrees hotter than average and minimal, if any precipitation. NOAA is forecasting a slight chance of above average temperatures and precipitation for July and August at this time. There was 16 inches of snow (9.2” SWE) at the Tower Site as of last week. This amount will top off the reservoir, as it currently sits at about 90% full.
As part of Stage 2, home and property owners are allowed to water based on the last number of their street address. Even address numbers water on Sunday, Tuesday and Friday; while odd addresses are set for Monday, Thursday and Saturday. There is no watering on Wednesday.
“Our efforts will only work if everyone participates and follows the watering schedule and conservation tips,” continue Alfone. “Together, we can make a significant impact on conserving water resources which are vital to the community.”
Through these restrictions and continued efforts by water users to reduce water demands, the community is able to strike a balance between conserving water supplies in the reservoirs and maintaining the riparian health of Fish Creek and the Yampa River.
In an effort to help reduced use of treated water, the City of Steamboat Springs Parks & Community Service uses non-potable water for irrigation in several parks. Drawn from the river and other sources, non-potable water systems are utilized in Ski Town, Emerald, Memorial, Howelsen, West Lincoln and Heritage Parks.
Stage 2 water restrictions are in accordance with the Steamboat Springs Water Conservation Plan adopted in 2011 by the Steamboat Springs City Council and Board of Directors of Mt. Werner Water District. Stage 2 mandatory restrictions were enacted in 2015, 2013 and 2012.
Mandatory Stage 2 Water Restrictions
- Potable water shall be used for beneficial purposes and should not be wasted.
- No outdoor watering 10AM – 6PM.
- Watering schedule based on the last number of customer street address. If multiple addresses are served by a single system, then landscapers should choose one or the other schedule.
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Sunday
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Monday
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Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Thursday
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Friday
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Saturday
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Even
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Odd
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Even
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No Watering
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Odd
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Even
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Odd
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- Vehicle washing at residences only with a bucket or spring-loaded hose nozzle. Residents are encouraged to use biodegradable detergent and to wash the vehicle on a permeable surface.
- Avoid wasting potable water such as washing hard surfaces (eg. driveways, sidewalks, parking areas). Use a broom, powerbroom, powerblower, compressed air or vacuum. Residents and contractors may powerwash siding or wooden decks in preparation for painting or staining.
- Any water feature that uses potable water must be a recycling system and must have an approved backflow prevention device on its make-up water supply. Running an outdoor water feature that sprays or splashes water into the air or has a surface area greater than 200 square feet is prohibited.
- No use of domestic water for dust control.
- Limit the filling of swimming pools to one filling per year, unless draining for repairs.
- Permits may be secured for newly-sodded lawns and newly-planted trees for up to 14 consecutive days and for newly-seeded lawns for up to 25 consecutive days.
Tips for conserving water
- Avoid watering in windy conditions.
- Adjust sprinklers to avoid watering hard surfaces.
- Set timers to avoid over-watering. Less water will induce grassroots to seek water deeper in the soil horizon which will strengthen your lawn.
- Our clayey soils slow the penetration of water, so it is better to water for three short intervals than for one long interval.
- When irrigating with a hose, use a spring-loaded nozzle, not a free-running hose.
- Cut your lawn no shorter than 3 inches to reduce soil moisture loss and to promote deeper roots.
- Avoid planting trees and shrubs or sodding new lawns during the drier, hotter months.
- Plant native grasses and shrubs or drought-tolerant species in place of water-intensive species.
Rebates for water-efficient replacement toilets, dishwashers and clothes washers are still available for Mt. Werner Water customers by calling the Mt. Werner Water office, 879-2424, or for city customers by calling City Hall, 970-871-6303.
For more information on water saving tips and a list of drought-resistant plant species, please visit the City or District websites:
steamboatsprings.net or
mwwater.com.
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