Dear Customer,

Today, the Eagle River Water & Sanitation District Board of Directors formally declared a Water Shortage. We are asking all customers to conserve water this summer, and the most impactful way is by adjusting outdoor watering and landscaping practices.

Right now, we are facing unprecedented conditions. All of Eagle County is in exceptional drought. There is no higher category of drought significance. Complicating these conditions, the snow water equivalent (SWE) or how much water is in the snowpack, was measured at 3.9” on Apr. 1, well below our 15” target. Watch this video to learn more about SWE.  As part of the Water Shortage Declaration, we will be entering into Stage III of a five-stage response aimed at reducing excessive and irresponsible water use. At this stage, the risk to our water supply is categorized as “very high.”

As part of the Stage III Water Shortage Declaration, the District will be implementing fines and water surcharges, in addition to changing the outdoor watering schedule. Starting May 1, Stage III will impact residential and irrigation account customers with water use in Tier 4. These customers will see a 15% increase in the cost of water they use in Tier 4.

Additionally, all customers in Tier 5 will experience both a flat fine of $400, as well as an escalating surcharge added to the water they use in Tier 5. This means that not only will customers in Tier 5 pay the normal rate for water they use in this tier, but they will pay an additional escalating surcharge and flat fine. Each gallon customers use in Tier 5 will cost more than the previous gallon. This will go into effect for May water use and will show up on customers’ June bill. The flat fine will increase each month we are in a Water Shortage Declaration. Water use in Tier 5 is defined as being “unsustainable,” this is true now more than ever given the conditions we are facing as a community and a state.

Effective immediately, the District will be implementing a new two-day watering schedule. Customers will be allowed two days to water outdoors based on their street address number. Watering is only allowed between midnight and 8 a.m. or 8 p.m. to midnight on your specific days of the week. We are also strongly encouraging customers to avoid turning on their sprinkler systems until June, if at all.

Use our online bill forecaster to see previous years’ use and estimate future bills, along with a water use estimation tool. Customers can also monitor their daily water usage, setup leak alerts, and manage all their account information through the MyWater Customer Portal. To learn more about the MyWater Customer Portal, visit our new library of MyWater videos. Tips on how to reduce your use are available on our Water Shortage Response Planning webpage and will be updated throughout the year.

If you work with a landscaper or property manager, share your account number with them so they can access our third-party portal to view your property’s water use and receive high use alerts. Small adjustments at your property can add up to significant water savings.

Each gallon conserved, especially outdoors, means less water we need to pull from our reservoirs. We are asking everyone in our community to come together and change expectations for what lawns and landscaping will look like this summer.

Water use priorities for this summer:

• Aim to be in water use Tiers 1 or 2.
• Let your lawn go dormant.
• Reduce sprinkler run times and eliminate sprinkler overspray and runoff.
• Monitor your daily water use through the MyWater customer portal and check your property (including faucets, showerheads, and toilets) for leaks.
• Water only on your designated days and during permitted hours.

Learn more about the specific water shortage stages, actions, and fines at erwsd.org.

Thank you for reducing your use, cutting excess, and protecting the place that gives us so much. Root your water choices this summer in what it truly means to Live Like a Local.

Thank you,

Eagle River Water & Sanitation District
Customer Service