Save Water
Roxborough Water's Stage 1 Drought Restrictions
As you may be aware, the City of Aurora supplies water to Roxborough.
Because of a historically low snowpack, coupled with an unusually warm and dry spring, Aurora is implementing Stage 1 drought surcharges to all customers/utilities it supplies water to, including the Roxborough Water and Sanitation District. These surcharges will take effect on April 7, 2026, and remain in effect until Aurora announces that they have ended.
What This Means:
- Outdoor irrigation: 2 days/week on assigned days (see schedule below); No watering between 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- No new cool-weather turf installation
- Private pool filling not allowed; topping off is allowed
- Decorative water features not allowed to operate
- Restaurants serve water only on request
Enforcement:
- 1st violation: Warning. Goal is enforcement.
- 2nd violation: Fine applied to water bill.
- Repeat violations: Escalating fines and potential service interruption.
Follow the Roxborough Watering Schedule
We have carefully considered how to maintain adequate water treatment capacity at the District’s Water Treatment Facility and put the following schedule in place for this year’s irrigation season. Please make a note for you and your family that this schedule begins May 1st and ends October 1st. Beginning May 1st, lawn watering is permitted 2 days per week. Watering is not permitted between the hours of 10AM and 6PM-during the heat of the day.
These hours of evening to early morning absorb the most water into your soil and are least likely to compete with heat and sunshine, which then requires more water use. Please do your best to keep water from running off your landscaping.
- You may hand-water trees, shrubs, vegetable and flower gardens on ANY day.
- You may wash your car on ANY day at home with a shut-off nozzle and bucket.
- Planting of Xeric (low water-consuming) trees, shrubs and perennials is encouraged!
- Commercial car washes are operating under best management practices to reduce their water waste.
Save Water with Free Evaluations & Discounts
Get A Free Sprinkler Evaluation, Rain Sensor or Controller
Free sprinkler evaluations are available through Roxborough Water's partnership with @Resource Central. Get your sprinkler system checked to avoid leaks and save this spring/summer. In about 75 minutes, you can get expert guidance, waterwise insights, and simple steps to help cut your outdoor water use.
Apply for an Evaluation: Resourcecentral.org/sprinklers.
The District also offers free smart irrigation controllers and rain sensors through Resource Central. Controller/Sensor Info & Options: Resourcecentral.org/sprinklers/smartcontrollers.
Garden In A Box
Purchase one of our last discounted Garden in A Boxes available this spring through our partner Resource Central. These low-water, perennial garden kits include plants that will thrive in your yard. Orders opened March 11, with pick-up in May and June.
Purchase A Garden: ResourceCentral.org/gardens.
Explore Garden Options: ResourceCentral.org/gardens/shop.
More Tips to Save Water
Make a difference – protect our state’s rivers, watersheds and future water supplies by watering less, and save money in the process. Below are some simple tips and tricks to use water wisely. Conserving is particularly important during the summer, when up to 40% of Coloradans’ water is used on landscapes outside. Smart irrigation techniques and water wise landscaping can make a big difference, for our environment and your wallet.
How to Water Your Yard in Colorado
When it comes to watering your yard, do you just set your sprinklers and forget them? In an arid state like Colorado, it’s important to water your yard the right way to conserve our previous water resources and protect the environment. Here’s what you can do to help:
- Water using the “cycle and soak” method. Break up your total watering time into three shorter intervals spaced 45-60 minutes apart.
- Is rain forecasted? Turn off your sprinklers or install a rain sensor. Let Mother Nature do the watering for you.
- Check out and make sure to follow your current watering schedule and our other watering guidelines (see above).
- Check sprinklers monthly for leaks and overspray. Adjust misdirected sprinkler heads and replace broken sprinklers immediately.
- Water before dawn or after dusk to reduce water loss from wind and evaporation.
- Have brown or yellow spots? Hand-water them rather than overwatering the rest of your landscape.
Water Wise Landscaping
Water wise landscaping methods can help you conserve water, protect the environment and reduce ongoing landscape maintenance.
Incorporate water wise practices into your landscape:
- Set your lawn mower to the highest setting to prevent stressing the grass.
- Use compost and organic fertilizers.
- Group plants based on their water needs.
- Reduce lawn areas with native and drought tolerant plants.
- Add organic matter to your soil when planting and top off with mulch to retain moisture.
Consider replacing your turf with water-wise plants. Visit plantselect.org for a list of plants that will thrive in your garden.
Save Water Indoors
Reduce Your Water Use Inside:
- Run only full loads of laundry and dishes.
- Install a high efficiency clothes washer.
- Replace your toilets with more efficient models.
Learn more about our rebates for washer and toilet replacements below.
Rebates
RWSD offers rebates for approved high efficiency washers & toilets. Replace your old/inefficient washer or toilet and get a rebate to cover the cost: up to $125 for washers and $200 for toilets($100/toilet). These rebates are a one-time per household. The toilet rebate is for a maximum of two toilets. The link to the paperwork that must be submitted for the rebate request is below.
High Efficiency Washers
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Energy Star Certified Residential Clothes Washers
We will require documentation that the customer purchased a washer with an energy star certification.
High Efficiency Washer Rebate Form
High Efficiency Toilets