Greeley’s annual lawn watering season begins April 15. City officials do not anticipate drought restrictions at this time. But caution customers to not start watering too early and let plants wake up naturally for spring.
In February, Greeley City Council approved changes to Greeley’s watering restrictions for single-family water budget customers. Changes include adjusting non-watering hours and omitting day-of-the-week watering restrictions for water budget customers.
Other existing regulations remain in place, including irrigation on commercial properties and new lawn installation variances and waste ordinances.
Time-of-Day Restrictions
Beginning in 2020, no lawn watering is allowed between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. for any customers. Previously, non-water hours were noon to 5 p.m. Watering in the heat of the day is not beneficial and wastes water.
Water Budget Customers
Day-of-the-week restrictions were waived for single-family residential, water budget customers from 2017-2019 through annual City Council resolutions. Rather than using future annual waivers, City Council made that change permanent. Water budgets give customers the power to watch the weather and adjust their watering accordingly. More information on the water budget is available at efficiencyrewarded.com.
Multifamily, Businesses, Non-Profits, and Others Not on the Water Budget
Anyone not on the water budget, including multifamily, HOA common areas, and businesses, must still follow watering restrictions. Commercial enterprises, non-profits, and government agencies irrigate lawns on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Fridays. Water budgets for these groups are in the analyses and development phases.
New Lawn Installation
Anyone installing in a new lawn must still apply to get a lawn watering variance. If you adequately prepare your soil with compost, rototill it in and apply for a variance, you will receive a larger water budget for the establishment period to water your lawn more frequently. Greeley requires four cubic yards of compost for every 1,000 square feet of sod or seed. The compost needs to be rototilled to a depth of six inches to ensure that your lawn thrives and uses less water. The application process is now online.
Learn More
Get more information at greeleygov.com/conserve or call the water conservation hotline, 970-336-4134.
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