Watering restrictions are enforced May 15 through and Sept. 15 each year. Yard watering is not allowed between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Anyone violating this ordinance will be given a warning with the first offense; after a second, the property will have the water shut off and a re-connect fee will be required.

If you are installing a new lawn that needs to be watered every day during the restricted time, you can obtain a New Lawn Permit from the Public Works Department, at the City Service Center, 110 West Progress Circle, for a $20 fee. The permit will be valid for 21 days for newly seeded lawns and 15 days for sod.

The city recommends using alternative grass types such as fescues, wheat grasses and Blue Grama, which require less water and are easier to maintain.

If you'd like to report a watering violation, call the Cortez water billing office at 970-564- 4012.