We would like to ask for your increased efforts to limit outdoor water use to help conserve regional water supplies.
TIP OF THE WEEK: Water twice a week.
Watering twice a week will make grass roots grow deeper and allow the grass to last longer without water. Cycling sprinkler system run times can prevent excess water runoff; visual inspections after an initial watering cycle will make this apparent.
An example of a better watering schedule is setting each zone to water for five minutes then wait an hour, water for five minutes again, wait one more hour then water for a final five minutes. This breaks up the 15 minutes of watering into three cycles, allowing the water to have time to absorb into dense and compact soils.
Concerning residential water use trends in Lafayette
The City is experiencing concerning trends with residential water demands. Elevated outdoor water use began a full month earlier than in typical years and has continued to escalate over the past two months.
Snowpack figures are below average again this year and dry soils and sustained evaporative winds are contributing to the reduction of runoff before it can feed the municipal water supply. This reflects yet another challenge in managing regional water supplies in a changing climate.
Conserving limited regional water supplies can only be addressed as a collective effort. If conditions do not improve, the City will be implementing additional outdoor water restrictions.
The following restrictions are in place year-round in Lafayette
Violations of Municipal Code Section 120-13 are subject to fines.
- No watering of outdoor landscaping between the hours of 10am and 6pm except:
- Watering by hand with a hose equipped with an automatic shut-off valve
- City-owned facilities: golf course, high traffic parks, and athletic fields
- Commercial agriculture
- No overrun of water onto any area not covered by vegetation such as sidewalks, curbs, driveways, streets, and other paved areas
- No washing of paved areas such as driveways with a hose
Additional conservation tips and information
Thank you for joining the front range region in the difficult effort to change water use habits. We can accomplish so much more together. To help this regional effort, the City has compiled some effective conservation tips such as watering only two days per week and letting grass grow longer before mowing. View these tips and more information at lafayetteco.gov/WaterConservation.