The City of Durango has enacted Stage 1 mandatory water restrictions, effective April 10, following the city manager’s declaration of a Stage 1 Water Shortage/Drought.
This decision comes as the area faces a record-low snowpack, historically low snow-water-equivalent levels, early runoff, unseasonably warm temperatures, and minimal precipitation. These conditions have led to a critical water supply shortage as outlined in the city’s 2020 Municipal Drought Management Plan.
At an April 7 council meeting, city staff presented updated environmental and water-supply data. The analysis included regional reservoir conditions and statewide drought indicators. Staff determined that previous measures would not achieve necessary water savings. As a result, revised mandatory restrictions under Stage 1 are being implemented to reduce daily water demand by 20%.
Irrigation for lawns accounts for about seventy percent of Durango’s total water usage. Under the new rules, outdoor landscape watering is limited to three days per week between the hours of 7 p.m. and 9 a.m., for both residential and commercial users. Odd-numbered addresses may irrigate on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays; even-numbered addresses on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays; with no irrigation allowed on Wednesdays at any address.
The city itself will also take steps to conserve by reducing irrigation on its properties by an additional ten percent along with other operational conservation measures at municipal facilities. Washing of City fleet vehicles will be limited to once per month and fire hydrant flushing is suspended during this period.
These restrictions are enforceable under City Code and violations can result in fines. The Durango City Council plans to review the city manager’s declaration at its meeting scheduled for April 21.
