According to a June 21 press release from the Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District (PAWSD) Manager Justin Ramsey, Pagosa Springs water users are being asked to follow voluntary drought’ guidelines, to avoid entering into Level 1 drought mitigation.
PAWSD is asking home and business owners to voluntarily implement an odd/even irrigation schedule. The odd/even schedule means that houses and businesses with odd numbered addresses will water on odd numbered days of the month and even numbered addresses will water on even numbered days of the month.
“Compliance with this voluntary schedule would all but guarantee that there would be adequate supply for the entire system without the need to implement further restrictions,” Ramsey noted in the press release. There are no mandatory water use restrictions in place and no changes to the billing structure. According to the PAWSD 2020 Drought Management Plan, water rates will be increased for residential users if Level 2 conditions are reached. Water rates change for commercial users at Level 3.
Pagosa water consumption typically increases by up to 300 percent in the summer versus winter, putting a strain on PAWSD’s ability to deliver water throughout its 70-square-mile service area.
According to PAWSD, “Drought mitigation is a concerted effort to use all water wisely so as to eliminate unnecessary waste. This not only promotes responsible stewardship within the community, it also enables PAWSD to develop a thorough understanding of the service area’s water needs. Drought mitigation efforts are generally precautionary steps or actions taken prior to a drought situation to avoid or reduce the potential impacts. Water conservation is considered a form of drought mitigation.”
Voluntary Water Conservation Tips
- Water grass/landscapes early in the morning or late in the evening to prevent water lost to evaporation.
- Water deeply and less frequently to encourage healthy root growth.
- Consider installing drip irrigation for landscapes.
- Use a broom or rake to clean hard surfaces instead of water.
- Ensure your washing machine and dishwasher are full to capacity before running the load.