Fort Collins City Manager Darin Atteberry signed a declaration and order for mandatory action level IV water restrictions Friday, Sept. 11 pursuant to Fort Collins City Code Section 26-167(a) and the Water Shortage Action Plan (WSAP). Mandatory water restrictions go into effect on October 1 for Fort Collins Utilities water customers. For more information, visit fcgov.com/WSAP.
The restrictions have been enacted to avoid a water shortage due to the ongoing drought conditions, Cameron Peak Fire, and infrastructure repairs known as the Horsetooth Outlet Project (HOP). The city manager will lift restrictions when they are no longer needed, expected by November 30, 2020.
The HOP is planned to begin in October and lasts 30 to 45 days that provides water to the Fort Collins Utilities and Soldier Canyon water treatment facilities. Together, the facilities serve more than 220,000 residents and businesses in Fort Collins and the surrounding area.
Typically, Utilities receives about 50% of its water from Horsetooth Reservoir and 50% from the Cache la Poudre River. During HOP, Utilities will have limited access to water supplies in Horsetooth and will rely more heavily on the Poudre River.
Outdoor water use restrictions will proactively increase Utilities’ ability to deliver full water demand if the limited-capacity backup pump system is needed before overall demand decreases to typical winter levels.
Under the Level IV alternative outdoor water use restrictions, lawn watering is not allowed. Trees, gardens for food production, and other landscapes may be watered by hand or drip systems. Utility customers can apply for exception permits online. For a full list of water restrictions and permits, visit fcgov.com/water-restrictions.
For updates and the latest information on HOP and water restrictions, visit fcgov.com/hop, email hop@fcgov.com, call 970-416-8040.
Image Credit: ©2020 Claire Hamilton