As summer temperatures rise, so does the demand on Golden’s water system, prompting the Town of Golden to remind residents that year-round watering restrictions remain in effect.
Water use in Golden is at its highest during the spring and summer months, with lawn watering accounting for a significant portion of the increase. The restrictions are intended to reduce pressure on the community’s water supply and distribution system during peak periods.
Under the Town’s watering rules, residents with odd-numbered addresses may water lawns and gardens on odd-numbered days of the month, while those with even-numbered addresses may water on even-numbered days.
On a property’s designated watering day, watering is permitted between 4 and 10 a.m. and again between 7 and 10 p.m.
Residents using automatic irrigation systems have slightly different permitted hours. Timers should be programmed to operate between midnight and 6 a.m., while still following the odd- and even-numbered day schedule.
There is an exception for residents hand-watering gardens and plants. Hand watering is permitted at any time when using a hose equipped with a working spring-loaded shut-off nozzle or a hand-held container.
While the restrictions become particularly important during hot summer weather, they are actually in place throughout the year under the Town’s Water System Rates and Regulations Bylaw.
Conserving water is about more than lowering overall consumption. Reducing demand also lowers pumping requirements and helps the Town maintain adequate water in its reservoirs for firefighting and other essential needs. Golden’s municipal water system serves more than 1,400 households through approximately 39 kilometres of water pipes.
Golden’s drinking water comes from a groundwater aquifer and is supplied through four groundwater wells. The Town also operates five reservoirs with a combined storage capacity of approximately 6.96 million litres.
Residents can help reduce summer water use in other ways as well. The Town recommends allowing grass to grow to about 2.5 inches to provide shade and reduce evaporation, improving soil with compost or topsoil, leaving grass clippings on lawns, using mulch around plants and considering drought-tolerant or native plants when landscaping. Rain barrels can also help supplement water used in gardens.
The Town is asking residents to be mindful of their water use throughout the summer and to remember that every household can play a part in reducing demand.
More information about Golden’s watering restrictions and water conservation tips is available at the Town of Golden’s website.
