Water Conservation
The City of Greeley is proud to have a long history of water stewardship here in northern Colorado. Since 1907, we’ve provided safe, high-quality water supplies for our residents while ensuring a reliable supply for the future. One of the many ways we’re safeguarding your water supply is through water conservation. In fact, Greeley offers one of the most robust water conservation programs in Colorado.
With just over 13 inches of rainfall per year, Greeley is considered a semi-arid climate. This means local water supplies are scarce and must be used very wisely. To help customers save water indoors as well as outdoors, Greeley provides a wide range of water conservation programs and services that benefit a variety of water users.
Water Efficiency Plan
The Water Conservation Act of 2004 requires all Colorado water providers who supply more than 2,000 acre-feet of water to submit or update water efficiency plans for approval by the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) every seven years. The plans contain key information about historical and projected water demands, water supply reliability, future needs, proposed demand management activities, and monitoring processes.
This is the third update to the original 2008 Water Conservation Plan. The City of Greeley’s new draft Water Efficiency Plan is a roadmap of strategic objectives and water conservation programs to ensure future water supplies. The Plan builds on the City’s current properties and includes existing codes, criteria and strategic plans with a lens on water conservation.
The content of the draft plan was driven by extensive feedback gathered in a 2021 survey conducted by Water Now Alliance and Wester Water Resources. Download a draft version of the Water Efficiency Plan for 2022.
What are the goals of the Water Efficiency Plan?
The main objectives of the water efficiency plan are to maximize widespread efficiency in all indoor water use, set goals for more resilient landscapes, and educate customers on water use goals. It will provide direction on how to advance water conservation efforts and build Citywide capacity to:
- Create efficiencies and consistencies among policies, plans, projects and programs;
- Maximize cost-saving opportunities;
- Create goals with clear measurements for success.
We Want Your Feedback!
Thanks to water-wise users like you, Greeley is a leader in water conservation efforts. Still, water remains a critical resource in Colorado, and continued conservation and efficiency will be the key to future water strength and continued stability. Help shape the future of Greeley’s water efficiency programs by reviewing and commenting on the draft water efficiency plan. A comment period will open for 60 days beginning August 3, 2022 and ending October 3, 2022. The project team would appreciate your input on the content of the plan. Please complete the form below with your comments on the draft plan.
Share Your Thoughts Here
The Conservation team will also host two open houses to hear your thoughts and feedback on the plan -- any Greeley Water customer is welcome to attend. Please register below:
Featured Programs and Events
Greeley Water Conservation and Stormwater divisions have partnered with the CSU Stormwater Center and Colorado Water Conservation Board on a Grant to install five rain garden demonstration projects in Greeley. Flyer and application above.
What is a rain garden?
It is a landscaped feature that replaces an area of your lawn in order to collect the stormwater (rain and melted snow) that runs off your grass, roof and driveway. This shallow depression has loose, deep soil that absorbs and naturally filters the runoff, delaying and filtering it before entering the storm drain system and, eventually, our waterways. (slow it, spread it and sink it)
What is the problem?
As stormwater runs over streets, parking lots, and lawns it can pick up and carry many kinds of materials that get washed into storm drains. Storm drains are specialized drainage systems designed to handle an excess of water from flooding or heavy rainfall. They lead directly into the nearest water body. Large objects are screened out, but the water is not filtered and is carried to nearby streams and lakes. This leads to stormwater pollution!
Why build a rain garden?
Rain gardens are not only beautiful and creative, but they are also functional. By planting a rain garden, you can help maintain the natural water cycle while protecting local rivers, lakes, fish and drinking water sources.
Rain gardens:
- Limit the amount of water that enters the local storm drain system
- Reduce the potential for flooding, drainage problems and stream bank erosion
- Reduce the quantity of pollutants that run from our yards and roads straight into our waterways
- Improves water quality naturally by filtering water through plants and soil profile
- Restore and recharge our groundwater and water system
- Are low maintenance. They are planted with beautiful, hardy plants that require little to no watering
- Attract birds, butterflies and beneficial insects, such as mosquito-consuming dragonflies
- Complement any style of landscape and enhance the beauty of the surrounding neighborhood.
- Conserve water by using natives and reducing turf grass
- Compared to a patch of lawn, a rain garden allows about 30% more water to soak into the ground!
Ongoing Water Conservation Programs