07/22/2026
Greetings Neighbors, taking a minute to pass this along and help spread the word, the town is now in stage 2 drought conditions, please be mindful, and update your sprinkler controllers and water usage practices.
Sustained high water demand leads Castle Rock to declare Stage 2 drought
In response to continued extreme drought, below-average precipitation and sustained high water demand, the Town of Castle Rock implemented Stage 2 Drought Restrictions effective July 21.
The Town previously declared a Drought Stage 1 Advisory on May 19, during which customers were asked to voluntarily reduce water use. However, drought conditions continue and community-wide water consumption has remained well above the target required for Castle Rock Water to responsibly manage daily water supplies.
Currently, the Town is relying more heavily on deep Denver Basin groundwater sources as renewable water supplies are strained. Storage reservoirs and streamflows are below normal levels and water treatment facilities are operating at or near capacity.
The goal of implementing Stage 2 restrictions is to achieve 25% water savings. Restrictions during this stage include:
• Mandatory two-day-per-week watering schedule
• 50% reduction in Tier 2 water budget
• New landscaping installation is discouraged, and watering exemptions will not be issued
• No power washing on driveways, sidewalks and fences
• Pools and hot tubs should be covered when not in use
• Hand watering is limited to a maximum of twice a week
• Restaurants to serve water only upon request
• Car washing is discouraged, except by commercial car washes that recycle water
Find more information about Stage 2 restrictions and the Drought Management Plan at CRgov.com/Drought.
Irrigation makes up more than 75% of summer water use, and restrictions on irrigation will have the largest conservation impact. A Town ordinance that took effect this month prevents homeowners associations from issuing brown grass violations while the community is officially in a drought stage.
During this drought stage, a mandatory two-day-per-week watering schedule will limit outdoor irrigation for all Castle Rock Water customers, including those with a Water Wiser designation. To further encourage conservation, each customer’s Tier 2 water budget, which accounts for outdoor use, will be reduced by 50%. Customers who continue current irrigation practices will reach higher-rate tiers more quickly. Tier 1 indoor water use budgets and water rates are unchanged.
A nine-day grace period will allow customers to adjust irrigation controllers and prepare for the new restrictions before enforcement and reduced outdoor water budgets begin on Aug. 1. During this time, the Town will provide additional customer education, including a community-wide postcard explaining the new two-day-per-week watering schedule.
Customers with smart irrigation controllers may consider temporarily switching them to manual mode to ensure irrigation accommodates these restrictions. Otherwise, automated weather-based adjustments may trigger increases to watering times. The two-day-a-week schedule can be found at CRgov.com/WateringSchedule.
• Squares (address ends in 0, 1, 2 or 3) can water Tuesdays and Fridays
• Circles (address ends in 4, 5 or 6) can water Sundays and Wednesdays
• Diamonds (address ends in 7, 8 or 9) can water Monday and Thursdays
• Founders Village area will follow this schedule using previously prescribed shapes
• West of Interstate 25, nonresidential customers can water Mondays and Fridays
• East of I-25, nonresidential customers can water Tuesdays and Saturdays
Castle Rock Water expects reduced water sales during Stage 2 and will use its revenue stabilization fund to offset the financial impacts while continuing to prioritize reliable water service.
The Town's drought response is intended to protect public health and safety by preserving water supplies for essential indoor use while reducing discretionary outdoor demand.
Residents are encouraged to visit https://crconserve.com/ for watering schedules, conservation tips and rebate programs.
