As extreme drought strains water resources in Southwest Colorado, Cortez is implementing water restrictions and urging residents to conserve during an unusually dry year.
Ken Curtis of the Dolores Water Conservancy District said McPhee Reservoir, the primary water source for Cortez residents, is expected to be “pathetically low” this summer, rising only about five to six feet with limited snowpack runoff.
Casey Simpson, the city’s interim public works director, said reduced residential water use can help preserve limited supplies for farmers facing a difficult irrigation season.
“Municipal water customers get their water before anyone else out of the lake and we get a very small fraction of what’s in the lake,” Simpson said. “So, when people conserve water, that water can be repurposed for – in our area – primarily agricultural purposes that affect people’s livelihood, and the production of food and other agricultural products that benefit the community and society as a whole.”
Voluntary restrictions began April 1, advising residents to avoid watering lawns between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. and to limit watering to designated days. Mandatory restrictions will take effect May 15 through Sept. 15, prohibiting yard watering from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“There’s no plans right now to impose any further mandatory restrictions other than that, which is already in the city ordinance,” Simpson said.
The city is working with Dolores, Mancos, the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and Montezuma County to develop outreach and educational resources promoting water conservation.
Cortez residents can also participate in city programs such as the Turf Replacement Program, which reimburses part of the cost of converting lawns to low-water landscaping.
“That saves people money and is practical,” Simpson said. “It’s also less time consumptive, so you have to spend less time watering and then mowing.”
Simpson said residents can reduce waste by fixing leaks, limiting sprinkler overspray onto sidewalks and streets and installing low-flow toilets. He encouraged residents to recognize the collective impact of individual conservation efforts.
“It may seem like an individual can't have that much of a difference, but when you combine all the individual consumers together, you can actually,” Simpson said. “Perhaps we only extend the farming and agricultural irrigation season by a few days, but that might make the difference.”
avanderveen@the-journal.com
