Associated Press

DENVER — Water use jumped 20 percent in May as other Front Range cities imposed mandatory water restrictions to deal with the worst drought in decades.

Denver Water's 1.1 million customers have used 8.4 billion gallons this month. Mandatory restrictions could be imposed if usage continues to rise.

"This definitely shows that it's time to get serious about water use," Denver Water spokeswoman Trina McGuire-Collier said Thursday. "April's usage was the highest for that month in 20 years ... and the weather's not getting any better. There's just no rain."

Lafayette slashed its water use by 80 percent with restrictions implemented a week ago to avoid running out of water by November.

"People really listened and understood the situation," said city spokeswoman Alexandra Lynch.

Boulder cut water consumption by more than 43 million gallons last week compared with the same time last year. Aurora, which enacted restrictions three weeks ago, said its 269,000 customers are moving toward a 10 percent cut.

The snowpack percentage statewide, measured against a 30-year average, is at historical lows. Melting snow contributes about 80 percent of the water in rivers, streams, lakes and reservoirs, which comprise much of the state's water supply. Eight major Colorado river systems also provide water to 10 western states.

Denver begins its voluntary lawn-water schedule today aimed at lowering water use.

"We'll have to see how that goes, and then decisions will be made," McGuire-Collier said. "I'm getting less and less comfortable about saying, 'No mandatory restrictions.'"

Other water providers are also considering restrictions.

"If we have a bad June, July and August, we might have to limit our water usage to indoor use only," said Wally Welton, president of Consolidated Mutual Water, which serves about 85,000 people in Lakewood, Wheat Ridge and parts of Jefferson County.

"I hate to be a pessimist, but this is really serious," he said. "So many places are hurting."

Colorado's 64 counties have been designated federal disaster areas because of the drought.

June 1, 2002

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