DENVER -- The public has spoken and the Denver Water Board is listening.

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After receiving comments from some of its 1.1 million customers about its water policy during the state's record drought, the board made some modifications.

The most immediate restriction announced on Wednesday is a 20 percent surcharge on every new tap issued on and after Sept. 19.

Some people had asked why the board couldn't just stop putting in new water taps if the state has such a dire water shortage. But the board said that such a policy wasn't in its jurisdiction, so what it is doing instead is passing along a new surcharge that it hopes will discourage water use.

The surcharge is temporary and will be terminated when the board deems the Denver's Water reservoirs are at 88 percent capacity, officials said.

Reservoirs are currently at 53 percent capacity.

Proceeds from the surcharge will be used to fund conservation programs.

The Denver Water Board also announced other modifications to the restrictions that take effect Oct. 1:

There will no longer be a time restriction on hand watering and drip irrigation for trees, shrubs and gardens. There was a previous restriction that allowed this type of watering only from 6 p.m. to 9 a.m.
Customers with fish in fountains had complained about the order to shut off their fountains and waterfalls, so the board amended that restriction, saying that you can operate fountains and waterfalls if the life of your fish depend on it.
Also even though all lawn watering is banned in October, you can still wash your car at home, but only using water from a bucket, not a hose. The washing can be done anytime. In the previous policy, the Denver Water Board said that people could only wash their cars at a certified commercial car wash that uses recycled water.