Boulder County Water Providers Encourage Continued Conservation This Fall and Winter

Following a year of record hot and dry conditions, Boulder County water providers are encouraging community members to continue conserving water as the region heads into fall and winter. While cooler temperatures typically reduce outdoor water demand, the region is still experiencing drought conditions and continued conservation can help protect regional water supplies and prepare communities for another potentially dry year.

"Conservation is a year-round effort," said Cari Bischoff, water resources manager for the City of Lafayette. "Even as seasonal water demand decreases, the choices we make now can help protect our water supplies and prepare our communities for continued dry conditions."

Water providers carefully plan for long-term sustainable water supplies and prepare for drought. The response to dry conditions may vary between communities because each relies on different water supplies and has different water demands. While recommendations and rules may differ across water providers, conservation remains an important tool to support water supply resilience throughout the region.

As temperatures cool, Boulder County water providers recommend reducing lawn watering and turning off automatic sprinkler systems in October, following guidance from your local water provider. Established grass in residential landscapes can generally remain dormant through fall and winter, while trees and shrubs, especially newly planted trees and evergreens, may need supplemental water during extended dry periods.

"Protecting trees and conserving water go hand in hand," said Chris Smith, general manager of Left Hand Water District. "Letting lawns go dormant and focusing watering on trees and shrubs that need it can maintain healthy landscapes while reducing unnecessary water use."

Community members may still see watering in parks and athletic fields to help grass withstand heavy use, or around trees and shrubs during dry conditions. Municipalities adjust watering based on weather and landscape needs while continuing to conserve water.

Fall and winter precipitation can vary significantly from month to month. Community members are encouraged to continue conserving water indoors and outdoors and adjust watering based on weather conditions. Follow your local water provider's guidance on when and how to water trees and shrubs during extended dry periods and watch for updates as conditions change.

Find more water conservation tips and water use guidelines for your community on these water provider websites:

• City of Boulder (boulderdrought.net)
• City of Lafayette(lafayetteco.gov/Drought)
• City of Longmont (bit.ly/watering-restrictions)
• City of Louisville (LouisvilleCO.gov/WaterRestrictions)
• Left Hand Water District (lefthandwater.gov)
• Little Thompson Water District (littlethompsonwd.gov/conservation)
• Town of Erie (erieco.gov/Drought)
• Town of Lyons (townoflyons.com/496/Summer-Lawn-Watering-Guidelines)
• Town of Nederland (nederlandco.gov/1328/Utilities)
• Town of Superior (superiorcolorado.gov/Government/Departments/Sustainability/Sustainable-Water)