Summer Water Use Rules

The 2011 Summer Water Use Rules are effective from May 1 - October 1

"Use Only What You Need"

●   Watering between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m is not allowed.

●    Limit watering to no more than three days a week. (There will be no assigned days for watering)

●    Do not apply more water than is reasonably necessary to establish and maintain a healthy landscape.

●    Do not allow water to pool or flow across the ground or into any drainage way such as gutters, streets, alleys or storm drains.

●    Do not apply water intended for irrigation to impervious surface such as street, parking lot, alley, sidewalk or driveway.

●    Repair leaking or damaged sprinkler systems within a period of 10 days after notice.

●    Do not water landscaped areas during rain or high winds

● Repair leaking sprinkler systems within 10 days

 Weekly Watering Amounts for Bluegrass Turf

Adjust watering times at least once per month.

Get to know your timer. Adjust your automatic controller or manual watering times each month based on weather conditions. Never set it and forget it.

Use the chart as a starting point to determine the number of minutes to water each zone on the days you water.

These times are averages. Adjust your watering minutes based on rainfall, type of grass or plants, sunny or shady locations and other characteristics.

You should only need to water 2 days a week during most of the summer. If needed, you may 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 a week. 

Please adjust your minutes to suit your landscaping situation:

Most lawns will not require three days of water a week; the allowed three days give you flexibility in designing your water schedule.  To best manage your watering, you will want to avoid both using more water than your lawn needs, and using less.  Many factors influence how much water to apply and how it’s applied:  soil type, organic material, sun vs. shade, slope.  For example, sandy soil needs frequent, short waterings; soils with lots of clay must be watered slowly and infrequently.  Sunny areas dry out quickly; slopes lose more runoff.  Xeric plants require less water than bluegrass.  Visit www.denverwater.org for detailed information on managing your irrigation.