With the US Drought Monitor declaring Pitkin County in Extreme and Exceptional Drought Conditions and with local streams running at 40-70% of median flows, the City of Aspen has declared a Stage 2 Water Shortage in an effort to conserve water communitywide.  As our water supply is solely from local streams, we must all work together to conserve our precious resource.

The objective of water conservation measures during Stage Two is a fifteen percent (15%) reduction in treated water use; seventeen and one-half percent (17.5%) reduction in pressurized raw water use; and, twenty percent (20%) reduction in non-pressurized raw water use; and, zero percent (0%) reduction in reuse water use. Upon commencement of Stage Two, the City Council, by resolution, shall adopt one (1) or more of the following additional measures, as well as any Stage One measures, which may be altered by resolution of the City Council during a Stage Two condition:

(1) There shall be no washing of sidewalks, driveways, parking areas, tennis courts, patios or other paved areas.

(2) There shall be no refilling of swimming pools with water furnished by the City.

(3) There shall be no noncommercial washing of privately owned cars, other motor vehicles, trailers or boats, except from a bucket and except that a hose equipped with a positive shut-off nozzle may be used for a quick rinse.

(4) No new public or private landscaping installations shall be allowed with the exception of that required as a minimum for erosion control of disturbed surfaces as determined by the City.

(5) No new water connections shall be authorized; however, existing authorizations shall be honored; provided, however, that this subsection (5) shall not apply to users on a well whose well has run dry.

(6) Watering of any lawn, garden, landscaped area, tree, shrub or other plant shall be prohibited from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except from a hand-held hose or container or drip irrigation system. These limitations are in addition to any applicable limits from Stage One (e.g., odd-even watering schedule). The allowable time limits for irrigation (both day of week and time of day) may be modified by City Manager in accordance with the need for water conservation.

(7) Flat rate water customer accounts shall be reviewed by City Manager and if metering is possible but not established within ten (10) days of mailing of notice to the customer, a fifty percent (50%) surcharge will be added. This surcharge shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other penalty available for violation of this ordinance.

(8) Upon declaration of Stage Two water shortage, increases in water rates for tier three (3) and tier four (4), (Sections 25.16.010 and 25.16.020 and 25.16.021), shall be imposed as mandated by the City of Aspen City Manager up to the maximum rates defined in Section 25.28.040.