Athmar Park

Denver Watering Rules

May 17, 2004

By Jo Ann Quinton

Beginning May 1st, here is a quick over look of the watering rules.

?– No lawn watering on Mondays; EVER.

?– No lawn watering between 10a.m. ?– 6p.m.; EVER.

?– ODD-NUMBERED RESIDENCES may water lawns on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

?– EVEN-NUMBERED RESIDENCES may water lawns on Thursdays and Sundays.

?– Lawns may be watered for 15 minutes average, per zone or sprinkler placement. There is no limit on the number of zones.

?– Vegetable and flower gardens may be watered daily except Mondays and not between the hours of 10a.m. to 6p.m. Use a hand-held hose or low-volume, non-spray irrigation (such as a soaker hose).

?– Tree and shrubs may only be watered on designated days during watering times, using a watering hose or low-volume, non-spray irrigation.

?– Vehicles may be washed any day except Mondays and not between the hours of 10a.m. to 6p.m. Use a bucket and a hose with a spray nozzle (or similar) that turns off.

?– Fountains, waterfalls, and ponds may be operated as long as they do not spay water into the air.

?– Washing of driveways and sidewalks is prohibited except for safety and health reasons.

?– Swimming pools may be operated, but check for special requirements.

?– New yards: Sod may be watered for 21 days but not between 10a.m. and 6p.m. Grass seed may be watered for 28 days at any time. New sod and seed may be watered at any time on the first day. These exceptions are good until June 30th and after August 31st. Do not sod or seed between July 1st and August 31st. The soil must be amended with 3 cubic yards of soil per 1000 square feet. A soil test may be substituted. Save all the receipts to show inspectors. Call the Denver Water board or check out their web site.

?– Surcharges are in effect for water usage over 18,000 gallons during the two-month billing cycle. You can estimate your future water usage online. Log onto the Denver Water Board web site and click on Rates on Surcharges (on the list on the left-hand side of the page). Use your account number to see your previous use and estimate future use.

?– For information call the Denver Water Board at 303-893-2444. Check out the wealth of information by going to their web site at www.DenverWater.org

?– To report violations, call 303-893-2444. Monetary violations are $250, $500, and then $1,000 per the second, third, and fourth offenses. Normally the first offense is a warning.