Jul 31, 2026
Follow us on Google for more Moneywise news
Add us on GoogleIt’s become quite easy to tell who’s been flouting the rules in Colorado.
That’s because a historic drought has led Denver officials to institute restrictions on water use, and those who aren’t abiding by the rules are easy to spot by their vibrant green lawns.
Advertisement
“It’s a drought. Use only what you need,” the Denver Water utility proclaims on its website. The rules for residential outdoor water use are clear: “mandatory outdoor watering restrictions of two days per week on assigned days.”
Thanks for subscribing!
The money news that actually matters.
By signing up, you accept Moneywise Terms of Use, Subscription Agreement, and Privacy Policy.
The utility has declared a Stage 1 drought and is asking customers to reduce their indoor and outdoor water use by 20%. But some Denverites aren’t heeding the outdoor watering restrictions, which has led to a surge in neighbors reporting on those who are breaking the rules.
Report thy neighbor
According to the Washington Post, more than 4,000 individuals have reported rule-breaking neighbors to Denver Water. The Post adds that Denverites have so far failed to hit the water utility’s 20% goal, with only a 5% reduction in water use by mid-July.
“Our yard would look so much better if everyone else’s grass was also dead,” Keifer Hunniford, a Denverite who has let his lawn die amid the drought, told the Post.
The report says that so far, 3,400 customers have been contacted by the utility so they can be educated on the water restrictions. The utility can charge for watering violations, though a warning is the first step. A second violation can lead to a $250 fine, a third can cost you $500 and a fourth would mean a $1,000 fine.
Denver Water has issued three formal citations “that could result in fines” so far, the Post reports.
Must Read
- The ultra-rich use these 5 real estate strategies to build wealth while they sleep — you can start with just $100
- Here’s the average income of Americans by age in 2026. Are you keeping up or falling behind?
- Insurance companies profit most from drivers who auto-renew without shopping around. Comparing 100+ quotes takes 2 minutes and costs nothing
Join 250,000+ readers and get Moneywise’s best stories and exclusive interviews first — clear insights curated and delivered weekly. Subscribe now.
Save water, save money
To signal to customers just how important it is to conserve water, the Denver Board of Water Commissioners even took the extraordinary step this April of implementing temporary drought pricing for outdoor water use.
Alan Salazar, Denver Water’s CEO, said in an article on the utility’s website that the move “is not a step we take lightly.”
“It is one of many tools Denver Water has available — when needed — to respond to drought conditions, encourage customers to conserve our water supply and ensure our ongoing ability to operate and maintain the system,” said Salazar.
Advertisement
The utility has not needed to take this measure in more than 20 years, “since the historic drought of 2002-04.” Essential indoor water use is not subject to the drought pricing.
What you can do
Whether you live in a drought-impacted area or not, there are steps you can take to conserve water that will also save you money on your water bill.
Easy ways to use less water include turning off taps while brushing your teeth or handwashing dishes, limiting your showers to five minutes or shortening them by one-to-two minutes, and only running your dishwasher or washing machine with a full load.
You can also save water and money by checking your home for leaks. The EPA says fixing leaks around your home can save you more than 10% on your water bill.
A leaky toilet can waste 200 gallons of water a day, according to the EPA. You can easily check if your toilet has a leak by putting a few drops of food coloring in the tank and waiting 30 minutes to see if the color enters the bowl. This could be a sign of a leaky flapper valve, which is relatively easy to fix, Denver Water notes.
The EPA’s WaterSense website also has links to online tutorials that explain how to fix faucet leaks.
If you need to replace an old toilet or an appliance such as a washing machine or dishwasher, you can also save on your water bills by choosing a low-flush toilet and more efficient appliances that carry Energy Star or WaterSense labels.
You May Also Like
- JP Morgan sees gold hitting $6,000/oz before 2027 — and a Gold IRA lets you hold the physical metal while deferring the tax bill. Get your free guide from Priority Gold
- Dave Ramsey warns nearly 50% of Americans are making 1 big Social Security mistake — here’s what it is and the simple steps to fix it ASAP
- Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how
- Millionaires under 43 are reshaping investing — just 25% of their portfolios are in stocks. Here’s where their money is going
Rebecca Payne has more than a decade of experience editing and producing both local and national daily newspapers. She's worked on the Toronto Star, the Globe and Mail, Metro, Canada's National Observer, the Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press.
