Erie staff describe water-supply emergency, recommend voluntary two-day watering schedule

Town utilities staff told the Erie Town Council on March 24 that unusually warm, dry winter conditions and an early surge in irrigation demand created a temporary water-supply emergency that required immediate action.

"We have a supply that's a winter supply. It is only about 3,500,000 gallons, and by the time we're done treating that water, we have probably 3.2—3.3 million gallons available," Utilities Director Todd Festison said, explaining the town's decision to ask residents to stop outdoor irrigation during the short-term emergency.

Festison and Dylan King, the town's sustainability and water-conservation specialist, said the spike in demand—residents running sprinklers as if it were summer—threatened the town's ability to maintain indoor use and firefighting capacity. "It was the demand that was being put on the system," Festison said.

As a near-term public message, staff recommended a voluntary two-day-per-week outdoor watering schedule tied to odd/even addresses (odd addresses on Tuesday/Friday, even addresses on Monday/Thursday) and an optional third day only if hot, dry conditions persist. Staff said they will begin messaging the schedule in early April when summer water supplies arrive and will keep residents informed if mandatory restrictions become necessary.

Staff also outlined conservation programs available to residents: indoor/outdoor efficiency rebates, a "slow-the-flow" sprinkler consultation service to reprogram controllers, a turf-replacement rebate program that has grown in popularity, and HOA-targeted audits and grant opportunities (for example, a Northern Water grant up to $25,000 for HOA water-saving projects).

Council members pressed staff on supply-side resilience. Staff said Erie relies primarily on Northern Water and Colorado Big Thompson deliveries; the reservoirs were full but deliveries are scheduled seasonally, making monitoring and early conservation important. Festison said repairs to Erie Lake's dam are underway and expected to continue through June.

Mayor Pro Tem Bell and other council members praised rapid community adherence to weekend requests: the town reduced consumption by roughly 500,000 gallons per day after staff messaging. Staff said winter indoor demand is normally ~2,000,000 gallons per day; recent spikes pushed that toward roughly 3,000,000 gallons per day in short periods.

Next steps: staff will roll out voluntary two-day messaging, continue regional coordination (Colorado Water Conservation Board, Northern Water) and return to council if conditions warrant a mandatory stage under the town's drought-response plan.

"We're trying to get on top of it early and often," King said.