Boulder Lifts Mandatory Water Restrictions

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."

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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.