Water Rules, Rebates, and Conservation

Using water efficiently helps to ensure that we sustain a vibrant environment, economy, and quality of life.

Colorado has a semi-arid climate, and that makes water one of our most precious resources. It is essential to many of the things that make Colorado, and our community, a great place to live, work, and play. Conservation is key to ensuring this precious resource is available to every Coloradan.

Ways to Conserve Water Year Round

Monitor your water bill for unusually high use. Your bill and water meter are tools that can help you discover leaks. Look for products bearing the EPA WaterSense Label for items that have been certified to save 20% or more without sacrificing performance.

Indoor Tips

Replace or install a low-flow aerator on all of your faucets and showerheads.
Take shorter showers. Showers use less water than baths.
Replace an old toilet with a high-efficiency toilet, which can pay for itself over time in water savings. Click here to check Denver Water’s website for rebate information.
Check your toilet for slow leaks. Drop by the District office to pick up your free toilet dye strips.
Wash only full loads in the washing machine and the dishwasher.
Defrost food in the refrigerator, not in a bowl of water on the counter or in the sink.
Chill drinking water in the refrigerator instead of running the faucet until the water is cold.

Outdoor Tips

Adjust your watering schedule each month to match seasonal weather conditions and landscape requirements.
Plant drought-resistant lawns, shrubs and plants. Spreading a layer of organic mulch around plants retains moisture and saves water, time and money.
Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. A taller lawn shades roots and holds soil moisture better than if it is closely clipped.

A chart showing indoor water useL Leaks = 13.7%, Dishwasher = 1.4%, Bath = 1.7%, Faucet = 15.7%, Shower = 16.7%, Clothes washer = 21.7%, Toilet = 26.8%, Other = 2.3%

Minutes to Water per Zone Per Month

The chart below is a starting point for the number of minutes to water each sprinkler zone on the days you determine watering is needed. These times are averages. Adjust your watering minutes based on rainfall, type of grass or plants, sunny or shady locations and other characteristics.

Watering two days a week should be sufficient during most of the summer. If needed, water a third day during extreme heat or dry periods. There are no assigned watering days, but never water a zone more than three days a week and never between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m..

Water trees and shrubs as needed, but watering is not allowed between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.. Shrubs and perennials need half as much water as lawns.

Scroll the table left and right to see all sprinkler head type recommendations.

Month	Fixed spray heads	Rotor heads	Rotary/high-efficiency nozzles	Manual sprinklers
January- April water trees and shrubs as needed.
May	12 minutes	24 minutes	30 minutes	18 minutes
June	17 minutes	35 minutes	43 minutes	26 minutes
July	18 minutes	36 minutes	45 minutes	27 minutes
August	14 minutes	27 minutes	34 minutes	20 minutes
September	11 minutes	23 minutes	28 minutes	17 minutes
October-December water trees and shrubs as needed.