Boulder: No water restrictions this summer

BOULDER – City of Boulder officials announced Monday that the city will not need to institute water-use restrictions this summer.

The city cited adequate water levels in city reservoirs along with amounts of water it will receive from its water rights as reasons for the decision.

“However, the community is encouraged to continue water-conservation efforts that have successfully kept the city’s reservoirs at safe storage levels since 2003,” officials said.

Snowpack in the mountain areas that supply Boulder’s municipal water supply was below average through the winter of 2009/2010. Snow course readings on May 1 in the city’s Silver Lake Watershed were at 75 percent and 78 percent of average. Peak spring stream-flow levels will be lower than average as a result. 

The below average stream flows are not expected to prevent the city from filling its reservoirs, which started out higher than usual this year because of last year’s wet weather and low water use in the city. 

The city recommends continued water-wise practices, such as:

* Watering the lawn in the evenings or early mornings, after 6 p.m. or before 10 a.m.

* Watering the lawn every three days.

* Not watering when it is raining or when the soil is already wet.

* Watering trees, shrubs and vegetable gardens with  hand-held hose or low-volume non-spray irrigation, after 6 p.m. or before 10 a.m.

* Checking sprinkler systems to make sure they are working properly and that they are only watering landscaping and not surrounding areas like streets or sidewalks.

Rebates are available for property owners to help conserve water both indoors and out, at  www.bouldersaveswater.net.

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