Posted September 15, 2026

Denver Water is experiencing one of the hottest and driest years on record, and ongoing drought conditions continue to put pressure on water supplies. To help protect water supplies, all lawn watering and spray irrigation must stop after September 30, 2026. This includes hand-watering grass.

The lawn watering ban will remain in effect until the Denver Water Board of Water Commissioners determines when watering may resume, meaning sprinklers will need to remain off in spring 2027 unless the board takes further action.

Until September 30, customers must continue following the current Stage 1 mandatory watering restrictions, which allow watering only on two assigned days per week and between 6 pm and 10 am. Trees and shrubs may continue to be hand-watered as needed.

After September 30, the following watering will still be permitted:

• Trees, shrubs and perennials may be watered any day using a hand-held hose with a shutoff nozzle or low-volume, non-spray irrigation, such as drip systems.
• Annuals and vegetable gardens may be watered any day using a hand-held hose with a shutoff nozzle or low-volume, non-spray irrigation until the first frost.
• High-traffic, active-use grass areas, such as parks and school fields, may be watered only under a Denver Water-approved water budget or variance.
• Recycled water users may continue irrigating any day of the week while following standard watering rules.
• New grass establishment is not permitted after September 30 unless specifically authorized through an approved variance.
• Irrigation systems may be operated for installation, repair or reasonable maintenance if they are attended during operation and no water waste occurs.

Customers who repeatedly violate watering restrictions may face enforcement actions and increased financial penalties. In more serious cases, Denver Water may require installation of a water-flow restriction device or, in severe circumstances, disconnect water service.

Every gallon saved helps protect our water supplies during these challenging drought conditions. For current watering restrictions, conservation tips and information about reporting water waste, visit Denver Water’s conservation page.

Please note: Denver Water’s watering season typically runs from May 1 through October 1. While those dates are generally guidance in non-drought years, the October 1 lawn-watering shutdown is mandatory in 2026 because of the current drought conditions.