Castle Rock's mandatory watering restrictions are over. Castle Rock Water returned to Stage 1 drought on Sept. 1, six weeks after invoking Stage 2 on July 19 during the hottest, driest stretch of the summer.
The reason it worked: people actually conserved. The Town says customers cut daily water demand by 10 to 20 percent over the past month — close to the 25 percent goal Stage 2 was aiming for. Improved imported water supplies and more favorable weather helped close the rest of the gap.
What changes under Stage 1
- Conservation is voluntary again, with a 10 percent reduction goal instead of mandates.
- The every-third-day watering schedule is back — though the Town is asking customers to stay on the published two-day-per-week schedule if they can.
- Watering hours still apply: irrigate only before 8am or after 8pm.
- Hand watering is allowed any day.
- Car washing and power washing limits are lifted.
- Water Wiser designations are reinstated — customers with the designation can water based on what their landscape needs rather than a set schedule.
- Watering exemption permits are available again for new landscape installations.
Current schedules are at CRgov.com/WateringSchedule and the drought rules at CRgov.com/Drought.
Don't rip out the rain barrel yet
The Town is clear that this is a step down, not an all-clear: drought conditions continue and local renewable surface water supplies remain limited. September's cooler temperatures cut irrigation needs anyway, which is part of why Castle Rock Water expects demand to stay manageable — as long as the conservation habits stick.
If you're putting money into the yard this fall, the Town still pays you to use less water: our guide to Castle Rock's water rebates covers what qualifies.
Source: Castle Rock Water's Sept. 2 update (CRgov.com).