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Fraser adopts two-days-per-week outdoor watering schedule as trustees urge broader drought plan
Summary
Facing low river flows and budget pressure from falling sales tax, Fraser trustees approved mandatory outdoor watering limits starting July 1 but trustees pressed staff to present a comprehensive drought plan, explore drought pricing, and improve meter access and communications.
Fraser trustees voted to adopt mandatory outdoor watering restrictions that will take effect July 1, a measure the board described as a necessary step amid unusually low river flows and sharply reduced local revenues.
Public Works Director Paul Johnson outlined the restrictions: single-family residences with even-numbered addresses may water Sundays and Thursdays; odd-numbered addresses may water Saturdays and Wednesdays; multifamily, HOAs and commercial properties may water Tuesdays and Fridays; town parks will be watered twice weekly; and communal irrigated areas are asked to reduce usage by 20%.
During discussion Trustee Adam (transcript_label: 6) read a statement urging more aggressive, supply-based rules and drought pricing tied to streamflow thresholds, saying Denver Water and other front-range withdrawals have reduced flows and arguing the town should lead with a plan tied to actual river conditions. "We need to set our restrictions by the flows in our river," the trustee said, adding that the Fraser River had been measured well below typical minimum flows.
Several trustees agreed the resolution should be treated as a stopgap while staff draft a fuller drought plan. Trustees and staff discussed options including monthly billing or greater customer access to smart-meter data, tiered drought pricing to make overuse more visible financially, and an outreach campaign to second-homeowners who receive quarterly bills. Public Works said enforcement will start with notifications and education, and that existing code penalties are minimal.
The board passed the resolution as presented; trustees asked staff to return with an outline of a drought plan, options for drought pricing and communications materials in time for the next board meeting.
What it means for residents: the new schedule will be enforced beginning July 1; staff will publish outreach materials and notices in utility bills and on social media; trustees signaled support for exploring tiered pricing and more frequent meter data access but did not adopt those measures at this meeting.
