Colorado Springs Utilities urges water conservation amid low snowpack

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Due to the unusually low snowpack, coupled with rising temperatures and faster snow melting, water conservation is the name of the game.  

CSU has some rules for being water-wise, including when to water your lawn.

Between the city's water infrastructure and community efforts, there's a decent water supply…for now. Keeping it that way means preparing for the future.

"We're at a really good place to begin this year. Now, we are watching snow pack and know that it's historically low. And we expect our water yields to be less than half," said Lisa Pace, a water conservation lead with Colorado Springs Utilities.

Among CSU's guidelines for being water-wise:

Limit watering to three days a week. Water before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. to reduce evaporation. Fix any broken sprinkler within ten days. Don't use water to clean your driveway, sidewalk, or patio unless there's a public health risk.

CSU wants to keep the vibes positive, but they are taking these rules seriously.

"We do have fines that can happen if people aren't listening," Pace says.

CSU would prefer not to take that route. Pace says instead the focus will be on education to get results.

"If people see something happening, they can report it to us. Then we like to reach out and check with that customer to see what is happening."

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