By Mary Butler
Camera Staff Writer

LOUISVILLE — Light rain showers and cool temperatures have helped stem the need for lawn and garden watering in the days since city leaders enacted mandatory water restrictions a week ago.

And estimates show city residents have cut their average daily water use by as much as 40 percent.

Still, preparations continue for worsening drought conditions.

Council members on Tuesday changed city rules to allow them to enact emergency water rates — potentially penalizing water hogs with higher bills — within a day of the increases being approved by a two-thirds majority vote of the council.

Mayor Tom Davidson said the measure gives the government "another tool" to help save water.

Previously, city leaders were bound to changing water rates by ordinance, a process involving two public hearings that can take a month to complete. Under the new rules, a simple council resolution, supported by five of the council's seven members, would allow rate changes to take place the day after approval.

Having the option to quickly raise water rates, said city public works director Tom Phare, "would be appropriate if it's needed to meet the water savings we've targeted."

Now, residents are asked to make a 50 percent reduction in summertime water use by limiting lawn and garden irrigation. But that number "is a moving target," Phare said. "It depends on how demand materializes."

During the four-day period from Friday through Monday, the average daily use was 3.8 million gallons across the city, Phare said. Over a four-day period earlier this month, he said, the average daily use was 6.3 million gallons.

"I believe there has been a lot of conservation," Phare said.

If approved, rates would probably be raised one of two ways. A uniform increase could be instituted across the rate structure. Or, what's more likely, Phare said, is those who use more than their fair share of water would be penalized for above-average use.

On June 4, the City Council will either re-adopt current water rates or consider new ones.

Whether putting a premium on water works to reduce use is up for debate, city officials said. "I've heard stories about people in California who say they have the money and don't mind a $500- to $800-a-month water bill," Phare said.

Regardless, Louisville wants the option to make such a move quickly in case drought conditions merit extreme measures.

Louisville was the first Boulder County city to require mandatory water rationing. Residents who water during off hours, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., or on the wrong day, based on their neighborhood, can be ticketed for $75.

For more information, call the city's help line at (303) 335-4600 or go to Louisville's Web site, www.ci.louisville.co.us.

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

May 22, 2002

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