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This week, the Town of Castle Rock declared a Stage 2 drought response which will increase water restrictions for residents in an effort to reduce usage by 25%.
The new restrictions took effect on Tuesday. They include the following:
- Mandatory two-day-per-week watering schedule
- 50% reduction in Tier 2 water budget
- New landscaping installation is discouraged, and watering exemptions will not be issued
- No power washing on driveways, sidewalks and fences
- Pools and hot tubs should be covered when not in use
- Hand watering is limited to a maximum of twice a week
- Restaurants to serve water only upon request
- Car washing is discouraged, except by commercial car washes that recycle water
Irrigation makes up more than 75% of summer water use, and restrictions on irrigation will have the largest conservation impact. A town ordinance that took effect this month prevents homeowners associations from issuing brown grass violations while the community is officially in a drought stage.
The town previously declared a Drought Stage 1 Advisory on May 19, during which customers were asked to voluntarily reduce water use. However, drought conditions continue and community-wide water consumption has remained well above the target required for Castle Rock Water to responsibly manage supplies.
Currently, the town is relying more heavily on deep Denver Basin groundwater sources as renewable water supplies are strained. Storage reservoirs and streamflows are below normal levels and water treatment facilities are operating at or near capacity.
Tier 2 water budget reductions
To encourage conservation, each customer’s Tier 2 water budget, which accounts for outdoor use, will be reduced by 50%. Customers who continue current irrigation practices will reach higher-rate tiers more quickly.
Tier 1 indoor water use budgets and water rates are unchanged. A nine-day grace period will allow customers to adjust irrigation controllers and prepare for the new restrictions before enforcement and reduced outdoor water budgets begin on Aug. 1.
Watering schedules
- Squares (address ends in 0, 1, 2 or 3) can water Tuesdays and Fridays
- Circles (address ends in 4, 5 or 6) can water Sundays and Wednesdays
- Diamonds (address ends in 7, 8 or 9) can water Monday and Thursdays
- Founders Village area will follow this schedule using previously prescribed shapes
- West of Interstate 25, nonresidential customers can water Mondays and Fridays
- East of I-25, nonresidential customers can water Tuesdays and Saturdays
More details on the watering schedule can be found here.
Castle Rock Water expects reduced water sales during Stage 2 and will use its revenue stabilization fund to offset the financial impacts while continuing to prioritize reliable water service.
