Boulder Lifts Mandatory Water Restrictions
UPDATED: 1:33 p.m. MDT May 7, 2003
BOULDER, Colo. -- Thank goodness for the recent rains.
Because of the wet spring and the record-setting blizzard in March, Boulder city officials decided Tuesday night to lower its year-old mandatory water restrictions to voluntary water restrictions.
"Last year when we were in stage three with mandatory watering restrictions, our community achieved a 30 percent reduction during the summer months," said Ned Williams, the public works director of utilities. "We believe that a 10 percent reduction can be achieved by simple, water-wise practices. For example, this goal can be easily achieved by watering lawns properly."
The city recommends that lawns be watered two times each week, before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m., but because these are voluntary restrictions, that means there will be no fines imposed and no watering patrols out to enforce any recommendations.
Residents are also asked to limit lawn watering to 20 minutes per area or sprinkler zone each watering day.
A flyer will be mailed to all Boulder water customers explaining the stage one drought designation. Information is also available at www.boulderdrought.net or at (303) 441-4H20.
Snowpack readings taken May 1 found that snowfields in the peaks above the city's mountain reservoirs have 13 percent to 22 percent more water content than the 30-year average.
The snowpack should yield enough water to return Boulder Creek to a healthy level this summer and fill the city's reservoirs, officials said.
Last year, the May 1 reading found no snow at one measurement site and barely 4 inches at another -- the lowest levels on record for the Boulder Creek area.
The Denver Water Board was meeting Wednesday morning to discuss a possible change in its water restrictions.
Statewide, the snowpack was 88 percent of average Tuesday, and four times more than last year.
Because of the wet spring and the record-setting blizzard in March, Boulder city officials decided Tuesday night to lower its year-old mandatory water restrictions to voluntary water restrictions.
"Last year when we were in stage three with mandatory watering restrictions, our community achieved a 30 percent reduction during the summer months," said Ned Williams, the public works director of utilities. "We believe that a 10 percent reduction can be achieved by simple, water-wise practices. For example, this goal can be easily achieved by watering lawns properly."
 COLORADO'S DROUGHT  Current Water Restrictions
Reducing Water UseItems You Can Install To Save WaterYour Water Use At HomeHomemade 'Lawn Tonic'RESOURCES |
Previous Stories:
- May 1, 2003: Get Ready, Get Set, Water!
- April 16, 2003: Denver Water Passes Stage 2 Drought Plan
- April 15, 2003: Aurora Passes Strict Water Restrictions
- April 11, 2003: Denver Expected To Relax Water Restrictions
- April 2, 2003: Big Blizzard Didn't Mean End To Water Restrictions
- March 25, 2003: Aurora Passes Drought Surcharge
- March 11, 2003: With Warm Days, Water Violators Springing Up
- March 11, 2003: Man Fined For Trying To Save Water
- February 4, 2003: Cities Prep For Very Strict Water Restrictions
- January 28, 2003: Arvada, Xcel Come Up With Money-Saving Solution
- January 8, 2003: Warm, Sunny Weather Not Improving Drought Situation
- January 8, 2003: State Legislature Begins Session
- January 8, 2003: Paying Too Much For Water? It Could Be Your Meter
- December 31, 2002: Snowpack Levels Not Promising
Copyright 2003 by TheDenverChannel.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
