DENVER -- Denver Water said usage is down by 40 percent this month.

Daily heavy rains have been soaking the lawns and gardens of residents.

Scott Mitchell told 7NEWS he has barely turned on his sprinklers but has been busy mowing the lawn this June.

"As long it looks good, we are scaling back our usage," Mitchell said.

The Denver Botanical Gardens said it isn't using their irrigation system much either.

"We've hardly had to do any excess watering," said horticulturist Mike Holloway.

In his nine years, he said it is one of the lushest months he's seen at the Denver Botanical Gardens.

He also said the Denver Botanical Gardens is saving money thanks to a computer-based irrigation system that measures rainfall and calibrates how much water the gardens need.

But, with usage down significantly, there are concerns Denver Water may hike its water rates.

Denver Water said the weather doesn't dictate rates.

"The current weather won't affect rates, though we could expect a rate change in 2010," said Stacy Chesney with Denver Water.

Chesney also said summer water use rules are also unaffected. Watering cannot take place between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. more than three days a week or when it is raining.