Denver Water’s collection and service areas continue to face severe drought conditions, with historically high temperatures, low streamflows and reservoir storage far below normal. As a result, the stage 1 drought has been amended to prohibit lawn watering as of October 1, 2026.
Denver Water is the source for Willows Water District. By contract, Willows Water District and its customers are required to follow Denver Water's watering restrictions. In addition, Willows Water District customers must follow Denver Water’s watering rules.

• Starting October 1, 2026, all lawn sprinklers must be turned off. Trees, shrubs and perennials may be watered any day with a hand-held hose with a shutoff nozzle or low-volume, non-spray irrigation (such as a drip system). They may not be watered by spray irrigation.
•  Annuals and vegetables may be watered any day with a hand-held hose with a shutoff nozzle or low-volume, non-spray irrigation, until the first frost. They may not be watered by spray irrigation.
• Grass establishment is not allowed after Sept. 30, which means no 21-day water exemptions allowed.

The lawn watering ban will remain in effect until the Denver Water Board of Commissioners determines how and when lawn watering can resume. That means sprinklers need to remain off in spring of 2027, pending an official resolution from the Board of Water Commissioners.
Until October 1, 2026, Willows Water customers are still required to follow the mandatory water restrictions of no more than two days per week and must follow a set schedule:

• Addresses ending in even numbers can only water on: Sunday and Thursday.
• Addresses ending in odd numbers can only water on: Wednesday and Saturday.
• All other customers, including multi-family properties, commercial properties, HOA's and government properties, can only water on Tuesdays and Fridays.

In addition, customers must follow Denver Water's annual summer watering rules:

• Water only during cooler times of the day, between 6PM and 10AM
• Do not allow water to pool in gutters, streets and alleys.
• Do not waste water by letting it spray on concrete and asphalt.
• Repair leaking sprinkler systems within 10 days.
• Do not irrigate while it is raining or during high winds.
• Use a hose nozzle with a shut-off valve when washing your car.

All other customers, including multifamily properties, commercial properties, homeowners associations and government properties, may water only on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Denver Water Stage 1 Drought Declaration News Article

Denver Water Supply and Water Use Update

To report water waste, call 303-770-8625.

For a more detailed description of watering guidelines (water waste definitions, etc.) click here.