The District Board of Directors will approve a tiered rate plan in the next few months for calendar year 2026.  Customers will be billed a water service fee and higher rates for higher water usage.  There will be a sewer service fee and usage charges based on average winter water use.  The change is being made to promote conservation, bill customers based on their water usage, and use a common billing methodology.

The minimum usage currently billed will be removed in 2026. 

Customers will be billed for actual water usage starting January 1, 2026.

As soon as the rate structure is approved, it will be posted on the District’s website.

Start thinking about conserving water now!

Create an account on www.eyeonwater.com.  Eye on Water allows you to see your water usage, detect leaks, and shows trends for high water usage.

During irrigation season, set your sprinklers to run according to Denver Water watering rules at https://www.denverwater.org/residential/efficiency-tip/watering-your-lawn

Some Highlights from the above link:

Follow these simple summer watering rules from May 1 to Oct. 1.

The watering rules incorporate best practices for efficient outdoor water use that will help keep your landscape healthy. It’s a simple way for you to help protect our water supply now and in the future.

• Water during cooler times of the day — lawn watering is NOT allowed between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
• Water two days per week, adding a third day only when needed. (Watering more than three days is not allowed.)
• Do not allow water to pool in gutters, streets and alleys.
• Do not waste water by letting it spray on concrete and asphalt.
• Repair leaking sprinkler systems within 10 days.
• Do not irrigate while it is raining or during high winds.
• Use a hose nozzle with a shut-off valve when washing your car.

Longer grass is more water efficient. Keep cool season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass between 2.5-3.5 inches and warm season grasses between 1-3 inches.

These times are based on a sprinkler system running at an efficient level. Watering is not allowed between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

The chart below is a starting point for the number of minutes to water each sprinkler zone on the days you determine watering is needed. These times are averages. Adjust your watering minutes based on rainfall, type of grass or plants, sunny or shady locations and other characteristics.

Watering two days a week should be sufficient during most of the summer. If needed, water a third day during extreme heat or dry periods. Water trees and shrubs as needed, but not between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Shrubs and perennials need half as much water as lawns.

There are no assigned watering days, but never water a zone more than three days per week.

Tip: Water, rest, water

To maximize efficiency and allow the soil time to soak up the water, add multiple start times and reduce each zone’s watering time. For example, a 14-minute run time may be irrigated for 7 minutes, turned off while another zone is irrigated, then irrigated for the remaining 7 minutes to achieve the total 14-minute run time.

Most sprinkler clocks in Denver are set to run Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 5 a.m. when many people begin to wake up and take showers.  Accommodating these peak water use times carries a cost. We have to build bigger facilities and incur higher energy costs to meet these peak demands. (And you might notice the water pressure is slightly less during these times, too.)

Set your sprinkler control clocks to run Tuesday and Thursday mornings, before 3 a.m. Watering two days a week should be sufficient during most of the summer. If needed, add a third water day (such as Sunday before 3 a.m.) only during periods that are extremely hot and dry.