Billing message, customer email, ask customers to reduce outdoor water use by at least 25 percent.
The message below was printed on every Eagle River Water & Sanitation District water billing statement for August 2018.
DROUGHT CONDITIONS – REDUCE OUTDOOR WATER USE: Local stream flows are very low and Eagle County is in severe drought. We draw water from these streams to provide you with water for indoor and outdoor purposes. Outdoor areas use much more water than indoors – which lowers stream levels even more. Please reduce outdoor water use by 25 percent to help local waterways. If streams reach a low level that threatens aquatic health, outdoor water use may be banned. Please plan according and use water efficiently. For more info, call 970-476-7480.
The following message was emailed to Eagle River Water & Sanitation District customers with an email address in their account record on August 2, 2018.
Our community is experiencing severe drought conditions. A low winter snowpack coupled with hot, dry June and July weather has left local waterways at very low levels.
Our customers’ water use is directly linked to stream levels because local streams serve as the supply for us to provide you with clean, safe drinking water. Outdoor areas use much more water than indoors – which lowers stream levels even more – so we are asking all customers to reduce outdoor water use by at least 25 percent to help local waterways.
Keeping water in local streams can minimize environmental damage from drought. Colorado Parks & Wildlife has enacted voluntary fishing closures on many streams, including the Eagle River.
We are making operational changes to augment streamflows, such as moving diversion points downstream and releasing water from reservoirs, to minimize our customers’ impact on streams. We are also rescinding already issued special irrigation permits and halting issuance of new ones until streamflows recover.
We made a general request to cutback outdoor water use; local government and recreational partners responded with reductions of 25 to 40 percent. We also need your help.
Please immediately reduce your irrigation to help our community preserve streamflows and aquatic life during this especially dry period. Remember to keep outdoor water off every Monday and adhere to the outdoor water use schedule as you adjust irrigation settings to achieve reductions.
If streams worsen, we may ban outdoor water use to protect aquatic life and stream health. Indoor water use will be unaffected. Also, fines will increase for violations of the Water Use Regulations. Information about outdoor water use efficiency and drought is on our website.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Contact: Customer Service, (970) 476-7480
