By Mary Butler
Camera Staff Writer

Telling, not asking, residents and businesses to cut back on water use is bringing the results that cities first sought earlier this year when it became clear that a drought was inevitable.

On Wednesday, for the first time since voluntary watering restrictions began May 8, Boulder city officials announced that water use has dipped below target levels. The city imposed mandatory watering restrictions May 21 and will begin enforcing them with fines starting next week.

"We are pleased that our community has responded so quickly," said Ned Williams, Boulder public works and utilities director.

In Louisville, the first city to enact mandatory restrictions, water use last week plunged well below goals set by the city.

"Between the rain and what I thought was a good level of support from residents, we saw a noticeable drop in demand," said Tom Phare, Louisville public works director.

Boulder residents and businesses last week used 139 acre feet, less than its goal of 145.7. An acre foot, equal to about 326,000 gallons, is a measurement used by most water utilities.

The nearly 17 acre feet saved last week is about how much water 34 households use in a typical month, water experts said.

In Louisville, the results were more dramatic last week. The city's target was to use 104.5 acre feet. But residents used only about 70 acre feet.

Lafayette, which imposed the most severe water restrictions, asking for a 75 percent reduction, didn't have hard numbers on Wednesday. But Alexandra Lynch, a city spokeswoman, said, "We're meeting our goals."

Cities asking for voluntary conservation, such as Longmont and Superior, also say they're seeing improvement.

Joel Meggers, Superior public works director, said it's too early to draw any conclusions.

"We'll do comparisons at the end of the month," he said.

Plus, he said, the real test has yet to come.

"We're finally getting a dry week," Meggers said. "Last week, we had quite a bit of rain."

Contact Mary Butler at butlerm@thedailycamera.com or (303) 473-1390.

May 30, 2002

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