DENVER -- If you get water from Denver Water -- and one million of us do -- you now face mandatory restrictions.

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The Denver Water Board voted on the issue Wednesday morning and passend the sweeping restrictions.

Denver Water supplies not only the city of Denver, but also parts of Arvada, Broomfield, Littleton and most of Lakewood, along with Wheat Ridge, Glendale, Greenwood Village and several small water districts.

Even if you aren't a Denver Water Board customer, odds are you'll be affected.

For instance, one of the restrictions says restaurants in Denver Water Board areas can only serve water if the customer specifically asks for it.

The board had hoped voluntary water restrictions would do the trick, but members said factors such as increased severity of the drought, diminishing reservoir reserves and the on-going hot, dry weather are contributing to the problem.

"Our customers responded very well but we need to go a step further, not because they failed to respond to the voluntary restrictions, but because we need to broaden the application and the restrictions," said Denver Water Manager Chips Barry.

The Hayman Fire didn't help. It burned the watershed around the reservoirs and impacted water quality and treatment plants, 7NEWS reported.

Mandatory water restrictions requires residents to follow the city's watering calendar, which allows watering only every three days based on their address. There is an exception for new sod or grass seed and large common or public areas with irrigation system limitations.

You could wash your car but only on your watering days and only with a bucket or hand held hose, and there would be no large outdoor water fountains.

You also can't wash sidewalks, driveways or patios on any day except when necessary for health or safety reasons.

Golf courses would have their own set of restrictions as would commercial car washes.

The board hopes these measures would cut down water use by 30 percent and feel most folks will cooperate.

The first couple of weeks will be an education period so anyone violating the restrictions by watering-off schedule will get a written warning.

Afterward, the first fine is $50, the second fine is $150 and fines can go up to $250.

Enforcement of the restrictions begin July 1.

Other Cities On Mandatory Restrictions

Aurora was one of the first cities to begin mandatory watering restrictions it has city workers and water monitors on the lookout for violators.

So far, workers have issued more than 1,300 warnings to people for watering on the wrong day, using a broken sprinkler and other water-wasting. Two people have been fined $100. Repeat violators could pay up to $500.

Besides Aurora, several other cities are enforcing mandatory watering restrictions. They include Greeley, Loveland, Lafayette, Frederick, Boulder, Louisville, Brighton, Evergreen, Highlands Ranch, and Castle Rock. Consolidated Mutual Water in Jefferson County and East Cherry Creek Valley Water in Arapahoe County are also on mandatory restrictions.

Most of the water schedules are done on a diamond, square, circle system. Addresses ending in 0-30 are a diamond. Addresses ending in 31-60 are square. Addresses ending in 61-99 are circle. Most cities are using this system, but you may want to check with your local water department to be sure, or you can click here.