Despite the nice weather, you should still wait to turn on your sprinkler system.
Weather in Colorado can be fickle and 80-degree days can still turn into below-freezing temperatures and snowstorms, damaging your sprinkler system.
Aurora Water advises that you wait until May 15 to turn on your sprinkler system.

Landscape watering rules during Stage 1 drought restrictions

• During Stage 1 Drought, water conservation measures are implemented to help Aurora residents achieve a 20% reduction in outdoor water use. The conservation measures below help ensure the health and safety of our communities during water shortages. 

• Outdoor irrigation is limited to two days per week (see table below) and is not permitted between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

• No new cool-weather turf can be installed

• Private pools cannot be filled; however, topping off pools that are already full is allowed. Shared community pools will still be allowed in Stage 1. 

• Decorative water features are not permitted.

• Restaurants will serve water only upon request from patrons.

• Between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., hand-watering vegetable or flower gardens is allowed.

• Hand watering (hose or manual sprinkler attachment) of grass lawns follows the same guidelines as an automatic sprinkler system. The maximum number of days per week and daytime watering restrictions outlined above apply.

• Use a hose nozzle and shut-off valve when watering your garden or washing your car.

• Water waste such as excessive runoff, pooling water in landscape or hard surfaces and spraying onto hard surfaces (sidewalks, driveways, gutters, streets or alleys) is not permitted.

• Broken sprinkler systems should be repaired or shut off as soon as possible to prevent waste

• Click here to report water waste violations.

Other water-saving tips:

• Do not water while it's raining or during high winds. Aurora Water offers rebates on rain sensors and smart controllers to help.
  
  
• Check your sprinkler system to ensure it is working properly and not spraying concrete or asphalt.
    
• Sign up for a free Outdoor Water Assessment (June 1 - Aug. 31) for a full inspection and recommendations on keeping your sprinkler system working efficiently. Space is limited.
  
  
• Check out our DIY outdoor water assessment guide to help you conduct an outdoor water assessment on your own.

We all need to do our part to save water. Please use water wisely.

Enforcement