Highlands Ranch residents urged to conserve water during drought
The recent record heat has taken its toll. Highlands Ranch is experiencing a moderate drought. And with more high temperatures forecast, the Centennial Water and Sanitation District is urging residents to be conscious of their water usage.
The water district, which serves the Highlands Ranch Metro District and the Mirabelle Metropolitan District, bases its water use decisions on data from the U.S. Drought Monitor, which says the region is experiencing a moderate drought.
“Some of the aspects that go into the report include precipitation, water runoff, reservoir levels, temperature and evaporation demand, soil moisture and vegetation health,” said Kari Larese, communications manager for the water district.
In addition to the drought monitor, the water district also takes into account daily water needs and storage levels.
The community’s water supply comes from a combination of groundwater from three aquifers beneath Highlands Ranch and water from the South Platte River. The water is then stored in the South Platte, McLellan and Chatfield reservoirs, allowing the district to manage water use throughout the summer.
According to Larese, the water district’s reservoirs were 79 percent full as of Aug. 15 and customer demand for August averages 24 million gallons per day.
There are currently no strict water restrictions in place, but the focus is on conserving water supplies.
“We are in a strong position to meet customer demand, but the moderate drought signals that we are entering a hot, dry period,” Larese said. “This is a reminder to both us and our customers that it is always important to conserve water.”
Water-saving measures include limiting watering of outdoor gardens and lawns to two days a week, avoiding irrigation systems between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., and hand-watering trees and shrubs. It also helps to repair leaks and avoid situations where excess water flows into street gutters.
The district also says it is important to keep the community’s water clean.
People can help by picking up pet waste on the ground so it doesn’t get washed down the sewers. Using phosphorus-free fertilizer helps prevent algal blooms (which affect the taste of the water). Professional car washes ensure that toxic chemicals don’t get into the sewers.
