Watering Restrictions
Notice
The City of Longmont currently does not have any mandatory watering restrictions. Even so, the City strongly encourages all residents to follow suggested voluntary watering restrictions in the interest of overall water conservation.
Here’s where Longmont Stands:
If you’ve been following Colorado water news this spring, you’ve probably seen the headlines: below-average snowpack, dry conditions, and communities across the state announcing water restrictions. It’s a reasonable thing to wonder about.
Here’s where Longmont stands: Our water supply is stable, and no mandatory restrictions are in place right now. However, this is a year worth paying attention to. The City of Longmont is closely monitoring conditions, and we expect to bring a recommendation to City Council in early May that will ask our whole community, starting with the City itself, to use water more carefully this summer.
What the Water Picture Looks Like Now
Every year, Longmont’s Water Resources team tracks several things heading into irrigation season, including snowpack in the mountains, streamflow into our basins, and reservoir storage. Together, those numbers tell us how much water we have to work with, and how much cushion we have if the summer turns dry.
Reservoir Storage
Near Average Our reservoirs are holding steady, which is good news as we head into summer.
Snowpack and Streamflow
Below Average The mountains got less snow than usual this winter. We're watching this number closely.
Water Demand
Higher than Average With this current year being as dry as it is, we expect that our demand will climb to higher than average. This is heavily considered when looking at implementing water use restrictions.
Why Longmont’s Situation May Look Different from What You’re Reading
A More-Resilient Water Portfolio
Longmont draws the majority of its water from the St. Vrain Creek Basin, with some coming from the Colorado River Basin. We also hold some of the most senior water rights in the South Platte River Basin, and under Colorado’s water law, the demand of senior rights are met first when water is scarce. Our varying water supplies, storage capacities, water rights, and local demands make our water story a bit different than other communities on the Front Range.
Better positioned, not immune
For decades, though the Raw Water Requirement Policy, Longmont has required that properties annexed into the city limits transfer their historical water rights to the City. That practice has built a diverse, resilient portfolio that gives us more flexibility than many Front Range communities. Even so, a below-average snowpack affects our basin, too. What’s true for Denver or Fort Collins isn’t automatically true for Longmont.
The City is Acting First
Before we determine if restrictions for community members are required, the City reduces its own water use first. However, reducing our own use doesn’t mean neglecting the things our community depends on. Maintaining parks, sports fields, and City facilities is the responsible stewardship of public assets. The water it takes to keep a ball field playable or protect a mature tree is a strategic investment in infrastructure. Letting those assets deteriorate would cost the community far more down the road.
Below are a few changes we’ve already made or will be working on:
Using untreated water when it's avaliable
Longmont has access to untreated water, or raw water, from irrigation ditches. When that supply is avalible, we use it for outdoor irrigation instead of treated water. Since raw water isn't always avalible on demand, you may sometimes see City crews watering outside of the hours we recommend for residents.
Pausing projects that need heavy irrigation
Some City projects require sustained irrigation to establish new turf or plantings. We've paused a few projects right now until conditions improve.
Reducing irrigation on non-essential areas
Not every patch of City-maintained green space carries the same community value. We're reducing irrigation from lower- priority areas.
Adjusting irrigation clocks
Many City irrigation systems for parks, greenways, medians, golf courses, and other facilities have been dialed back by 10% in run time.
How You Can Help
While there are no mandatory restrictions right now, what you do this spring matters. Voluntary conservation now is the most effective tool we have to avoid stricter measures later.
Here’s where your effort makes the biggest difference:
Outdoor Water Use
- Wait to irrigate. Don’t turn on your system until May 1. Grass can remain dormant until then with little to no harm.
- Hand water trees and sensitive plants. A hose at the root zone uses far less water and helps protect sensitive landscaping.
- Water smarter. Use cycle-and-soak watering, stick to early morning or late evening to avoid evaporation, and consider watering one less day per week.
Indoor Water Use
- Turn off the tap when you’re not actively using it. For example, when washing dishes, brushing your teeth, or shaving.
- Only run full loads. Wait to run your dishwasher and washing machine until you’ve got a full load.
- Reduce your shower time. Even a minute or two adds up.
Catch It Before It Costs You
- Check your system for leaks before the season starts. And keep an eye on your monthly bill for unexpected spikes that could signal a problem. Compare your usage to prior years to get a sense of what’s normal.
- Get a free sprinkler checkup. Free sprinkler consultations are available for Longmont homeowners. Sign up at: ResourceCentral.org/sprinklers
