Press Release 5/22/2020 – New Water Use Ordinance

Over the past several years, the City has taken many steps to encourage water conservation among its citizens. These have included the establishment of the Water Smarts Team, adopting an anti-water wasting ordinance, public information and outreach, the soon-to-be completed Water Efficiency Plan, demonstration gardens, and excess turf removal. Alamosa and the San Luis Valley is classified as a high-altitude desert. Even in relatively normal or high water years, the city is in a constant state of water shortage and over-appropriation of water.

The new ordinance (12-2020) establishes a schedule with provisions similar to those that were adopted during the drought of 2018. Those temporary restrictions produced an approximate 30% reduction in irrigation (about 16% of normal water use).

The new ordinance allows for watering days as follows: odd numbered addresses water only on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays; even numbered addresses on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. No watering is allowed on Mondays.

The ordinance includes the following exemptions to the schedule: Watering of vegetable gardens or new plant material such as flowers, trees, and shrubs on the day of planting; watering essential to preserve turf subject to heavy public use (such as parks and sporting fields); and watering for up to 21 days to establish new turf from seed or sod.

The new ordinance enhances the existing no-wasting ordinance of common-sense practices like not watering between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., not watering during rain or wind events, no pooling of water, no broken irrigation equipment, etc. Evidence shows that deep, infrequent watering of lawns to a depth of six inches promotes deep root growth, thereby promoting more healthy, resilient, and water-efficient turf.

The order takes effect May 30, 2020 in the City of Alamosa. For more information, please call Public Works at (719) 589-6631.

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The City of Alamosa is a multicultural community of 9,000+ centrally located in the San Luis Valley of Southern Colorado. The City was incorporated in 1878 and is the gateway to the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve where more than 525,000 visitors enjoy Colorado’s natural beauty each year. For more information, visit us at www.cityofalamosa.org.