Water suppliers in the North Metro area depend on mountain snowpack for a majority of their water. Low winter snowfall has resulted in less water for 2012 and possibly 2013. Earlier than normal warmer weather this spring has jump-started the lawn-watering season and water use has risen more than anticipated. Northglenn is requesting water customers reduce their water use by 10 percent. This request is strictly voluntary at this time.

Northglenn will continue in its conservation efforts by reducing its water use in city parks and right of ways by 10 percent and adhering to watering before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m.

Summer Sprinkler Watering Guide
Use this guide to determine how many minutes per week each zone* in your lawn should be watered (based on watering two times a week.)

* - Some landscapes might need more or less watering.

Water Conservation Tips

Water customers can partner with the city by following these recommendations:

• Use this summer watering guide to schedule your sprinklers and water twice weekly. Add a third day in extreme heat. Spreading out watering days helps lawns grow deeper, drought-tolerant roots.
• If it rains, water less. Watch the weather and adjust watering days and times accordingly.
• Do not water between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Watering during the day results in less water reaching your lawn due to evaporation and afternoon winds. Water during the cooler times of the day.
• Check your irrigation system at least once a month for leaks and other problems. When you water at night, it can be difficult to see problems. Running each zone for a few minutes during the day once monthly will reveal needed repairs.
• Raise your lawn mower blade. Protect your lawn’s roots from heat by letting grass grow a little longer.
• Limit other outdoor water uses. Sweep driveways and sidewalks with a broom. Always use a nozzle on your hose when watering landscape or washing your car.
• Check your home and repair water leaks. Place a few drops of food coloring in your toilet tank and wait 10 minutes. If the water in the bowl turns color, you have a leak. Replacing the flapper or other easy adjustments will generally solve the problem at little or no cost. Don’t forget to check showers and sinks for leaks as well.
• Know your water use. Check your water bill regularly to track use. Contact customerservice@northglenn.org or 303-450-8770 for ways to identify and solve higher than normal water use issues.
• Do not allow water to drain or pool in gutters and streets. As always, the city will be enforcing its Waste of Water Ordinance.

The city continues to monitor our water resources carefully and we will notify residents of any changes in response to drought conditions.

Together we can reduce water use and protect future water supplies. Thank you for your conservation efforts.

Waste of Water Ordinance

Pursuant to Section 16-24-3 of the Northglenn Municipal Code, the City Manager has the authority to establish the following Rules and Regulations governing the waste of water by all customers of the Northglenn water system.

These rules and regulations amend and restate the rules and regulations promulgated on July 24, 2003.

The following water wasting activities and practices are prohibited:

a. Violating mandatory watering restrictions as established by the City Manager pursuant to the determination, by City Council, of the stage of a water shortage and desired level of water conservation for the benefit of the community;
b. Watering of lawn or landscaping between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
c. Watering landscaping in a single irrigation zone at a rate and/or quantity that allows water to accumulate on the surface of the ground and then runoff into the public right-of-way in a steady stream for an unreasonable period of time;
d. Watering in a single irrigation zone so that water falls directly onto impervious surfaces and enters the public right-of-way in a steady stream (does not apply to an incidental amount of water that may come in contact with sidewalks and driveways but does not result in run off to the public right-of-way in a steady stream;
e. Washing of cars and other vehicles without an automatic shutoff nozzle and/or with a sufficient quantity of water to cause water to flow to the public right-of-way in a steady stream;
f. Power-washing or hosing down of patios, housing, gutters on building, fences, windows, decks or other impervious surfaces so that water flows into the public right-of-way in a steady stream;
g. Hosing down or power-washing of sidewalks or driveways except for reasons of health and safety, in which case, runoff entering the public right-of-way must be minimized;
h. Exceeding recommended irrigation practices for the installation of new lawns;
i. Failing to repair indoor plumbing and outdoor irrigation systems and/or devices, connections or fixtures thereto within two weeks of the discovery of a leak or break in the system, device, connection or fixture;
j. Failing to comply with established regulations or the use of water for construction purposes;
k. Failing to comply with other water usage practices determined to be necessary to prevent the waste of water as they may be promulgated from time to time.

Penalties
• First observed violation: Warning, with a five-day grace period to resolve the issue. Note: the warning notice remains in effect for one year. No grace period is given for any subsequent observed violations.
• Second observed violation: $100 fine for residential accounts and $500 for commercial accounts.
• Third observed violation: $500 fine for residential accounts and $999 for commercial accounts.
• Fourth and subsequent observed violations: $999 fine for both residential and commercial accounts.

Penalties are assessed through the city utility bill for the responsible party's billing account and must be paid within the normal payment period allowed by the city's utility billing system. The responsible party is defined as the owner, manager, supervisor or person who receives the water utility bill - or - the person in charge of the property, facility or operation during the period of time when the violation(s) is/are observed.

Penalty fees may be appealed up to 10 days from the date the notice of the penalty fee is received. Such an appeal will be conducted by a board appointed by the city manager.

Private Wells
Private well water may be exempt from the city's Waste of Water Ordinance if there is proof that the property has a permitted private well from the state. City posting requirements must be followed for private wells. These requirements and an application for a private well exemption are available by contacting the city's Water Resource Division. Previous private well exemption permits must be renewed by calling 303-450-4070.

Click here to read the entire City of Northglenn Waste of Water Ordinance.
Click here to read the Waste of Water Rules and Regulations.