Willowbrook Water and Sanitation District

Watering Restrictions
Is Your Lawn Too Far Gone?
Taking Care of Trees During the Drought

2011 summer water use program is in effect May 1 to Oct. 1

Water is a limited resource in our dry climate, and we must always use it wisely. To help you use only what you need, here are watering rules, times, tips and tools.

Lawn watering is NOT allowed between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. — water during cooler times of the day.
Water no more than three days per week.
Do not allow water to pool in gutters, streets and alleys.
Do not waste water by letting it spray on concrete and asphalt.
Repair leaking sprinkler systems within 10 days.
Do not irrigate while it is raining or during high winds.
Use a hose nozzle with a shut-off valve when washing your car.

*Please note, there are some exceptions to watering rules and how the rules apply to gardening.

Watering two days a week should be sufficient during most of the summer. If needed, water a third day during extreme heat or dry periods. Water trees and shrubs as needed, but not between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Shrubs and perennials need half as much water as lawns.

There are no assigned watering days, but never water a zone more than three days a week.

These rules are mandatory. Penalties are:

1st violation — warning.
2nd violation — $50 fine.
3rd violation — $100 fine.
Continued violations can result in suspension of service.

Not necessarily.

Kentucky Bluegrass and Fine Fescues will become dormant for several months and can survive without any irrigation. Recovery is usually complete once irrigation is resumed.

Tall Fescues may thin heavily under prolonged summer drought, as they are not able to become dormant as easily as bluegrass.

Ryegrass does not become dormant and will die from lack of irrigation.

If your bluegrass lawn is mostly dormant this fall season, core aeration will expose the root system to even more dehydration, and is NOT recommended.

Fertilizers for growth are also not recommended. If your turf is mostly dormant at this time, weed patches are more visible and it would be beneficial to apply a quick-release weed killer to the affected areas or apply spot treatments. Those pesky weeds will also be competing for water in the spring.

Heavy foot traffic can also affect your lawn's recovery in the spring. Drought stressed lawns are easily damaged.

During a drought, woody shrubs and trees are susceptible to numerous environmental threats. The importance of maintaining healthy trees and shrubs should be paramount in the fall months, as they will likely succumb to disease and pests during the winter and springs months if not properly maintained.

Considering the water restrictions in place in Colorado, consumers are urged to apply all outdoor designated watering days to deep root feeding of trees and large shrubs in order to keep the existing root systems healthy and improve likelihood of survival during the 2003 drought season.

Water - Two inches of absorbed water will last 7 to 10 days if the base and surrounding areas are well saturated. Keep the area free of weeds, which are also seeking water. Focus watering efforts on hardiest, most well established areas.

Mulch - Apply at least 3 to 4 inches deep and out to the dripline to eliminated evaporation from the extending feeder roots which may be just under the first layer of soil. Avoid putting much against the trunk of the tree, as it can harbor insects and diseases.

Pruning - Minimal pruning is suggested this year. Removing too much foliage or too many limbs will leave already thirsty trunks and branches open to sunburn.

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