As Denver residents band together to help cut water usage to deal with the ongoing drought in the region, the communities have found a common enemy: each other. According to local NBC News station Next 9News, Denver Water has fielded thousands of calls from residents complaining about their neighbor’s water usage.
That’s because Denver Water has limited customers to two days a week when it comes to using their water for things like lawn maintenance, which Next 9News says is down from the typical three days a week that they are normally allowed during other hot stretches.
The water authority had hoped this would lead to a 20 percent reduction in water usage, but reports say that residents are nowhere near that number. And residents aren’t shy about throwing one another under the bus about it either.
And while Denver Water says it has made drastic efforts to help the public cut back—including making more than 1,000 field stops when they spot violations in action—it doesn’t seem like they will hit the 2026 goal.
Denver Water Received 4,700 Violation Calls From Neighbors
In the fight against excessive water usage, Denver residents are pointing fingers. The water authority says that it’s responding to complaints and has reached out to nearly 3,800 of its customers to help educate them about the restrictions.
In addition to the outreach efforts, employees have also been driving around town, stopping when they see violations happening in real time so they can educate residents. But those emails, letters, and in-person visits haven’t been effective for everyone, and Denver Water says it has issued 72 formal warnings this summer. For single-family residential customers, those violations can come at a cost. After a formal warning, they are typically issued a $250 fine for the next violation, a $500 fine for the following, and a $1,000 fine for the one after that.
So far, Denver Water has issued four fines, which include two single-family properties, a multi-family property, and a commercial customer.
Water Restrictions Are Likely to Carry Into Next Year
The 20 percent reduction in water use that Denver Water put into place this year wasn’t created on a whim. The water company is responding to the shortfall facing the reservoirs that supply the city’s water. Some of these waterways have run completely dry, while others are lower than they typically are this time of year, prompting the water company to get proactive.
However, Denver Water warns that since they’ve fallen shy of the 20 percent reduction goal, hitting just 5 percent by mid-summer, these restrictions will likely stay in place until the reservoirs can rebound.
How Can You Reduce Water Use
Whether you’re living in Denver or just want to conserve water, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a few tips. First, it says you should work to identify and fix any leaks you may have around the house. Next, it suggests making water-saving choices whenever possible, like turning off the water while brushing your teeth or switching to showers instead of baths.
When it comes to outdoor water use, the EPA says creating a “water-smart landscape” can keep you from needing to water your outdoor plants as often, allowing them to thrive, even in drought conditions.