U.S. Water News Online
DENVER -- Denver Water Board customers cut consumption by 18 percent from June through last week, far below the 30 percent target set by utility officials.
Water Board managers said they are developing plans for more substantial savings if the drought continues next year.
``Next summer, we're hoping we can do things differently,'' said Leslie Parker, co-coordinator for drought response for the utility, the state's largest with 1.1 million customers.
Proposals include a ban on all outdoor watering if reservoirs drop to 40 percent of capacity by July. The reservoirs now stand at 49 percent of capacity, compared with an average of 70 percent at this time of year.
Before an outright ban, the board could restrict watering to two days a week, giving each address one weekday and one weekend day to water.
Watering times may be coordinated with other Front Range cities, with a ban during certain hours.
Another proposal would set water budgets for homes, based on lot size and other factors. Overuse would produce stiff penalties.
``We ought to be moving in this direction, but it's going to be very hard to get there by next summer,'' said Water Board Manger Chips Barry.
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