Non-Potable Irrigation Water
Fees And Rates - 2026 updates pending
The approved fees/rates are established by the Board of Directors for the District. The water rate structure includes an Annual Capital Fee (cost pending for 2026) plus a water service fee charged at a rate of (cost pending for 2026) per 1,000 gallons of water used. The Annual Capital Fee is billed at the beginning of the irrigation season for repairs and maintenance costs. Irrigation usage is billed based on water consumption data per the meter reading, with bills sent to owners mid summer and end of summer.
A: The Annual Capital Fee is not your irrigation water usage bill. The Annual Capital Fee covers the repair and maintenance cost of the capital assets that make up the irrigation system. This includes ditch inlet maintenance, lake dredging, pumphouses, irrigation pumps, distribution pipes, and required return flow infrastructure (back to the Poudre River system).
Activation and Winterization
The Metro District typically activates the non-potable irrigation water supply in mid-April and turns it off in mid-October, weather permitting.
Please do not attempt to activate your irrigation system early. Wait for the official confirmation email before turning on or using your irrigation system. A notification email will be sent to all owners each spring when water is available for residential use.
At the end of the irrigation season, owners are responsible for winterizing their own irrigation systems. The irrigation meter shut-off valve must be closed during the off-season and remain OFF throughout the winter until the Metro District sends a confirmation email again in the spring authorizing systems to be turned back ON.
Chlorination
The irrigation team will chlorinate the main lines and supply lines to rid system of algae, snails, bryozoans, slime, build up, etc. It is imperative that irrigation valves are closed and in the OFF position until an activation email from the District is received. Please note that the District is not responsible for issues that may occur as a result of the valves being left open during the start-up process.
Water Use and Approved Watering Days
Healthy lawns in Colorado require about 1,000 gallons of water per 1,000 sq. feet of turf per week. Owners should avoid over irrigating throughout the season. Do not irrigate your lawns when it rains. The irrigation system should run before 10:00 a.m. and after 6:00 p.m. on your approved watering day to avoid evaporation loss.
- Even Numbered Addresses: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
- Odd Numbered Addresses: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
Watering is not permitted on Sunday.
Water Meter And Curb Stop
All activations and deactivations of water service through a curb stop should be performed by District personnel only. The non-potable irrigation water meter pit and curb stop should be exposed and uninhibited by landscaping, rock, mulch, bird baths, decks or patios, etc. Costs associated with damage to the meter pit or curb stop may be billed back to the property owner. Issues with these units should be reported to the District office. Routine maintenance/replacement may occur throughout the season as needed.
Water Conservation
1 - Water Conservation Fact Sheet 2025 Final.pdfResidents should avoid irrigating their lawn when it rains. A Water Conservation Shut Down is a management tool used to save irrigation water after heavy rainfall. Irrigation pumps are shut off for up to 2 days when the community receives between .5 and .75 inches of rain and shut off for 2 or 3 days when rainfall totals exceed .75 inches and the soil is saturated.