Water Conservation

Fort Collins Utilities has a strong commitment to ensuring the efficient and responsible use of our natural resources. Our Water Conservation Program started in 1977, and we continue to innovate how we help our customers use water wisely. View the Utilities water service map to see if you qualify for our programming.

Factors That Influence Water Use Include

• Weather and climate: Outdoor water use is especially influenced by weather, which varies day-to-day and year-to-year in our region. Our region has experienced long-term, gradual increases in average temperature and longer growing seasons, as documented by the Colorado Climate Center’s 2024: Climate Change in Colorado report (third edition). These trends also drive-up water use.
• Conservation: Actions such as taking shorter showers, monitoring your outdoor water use, turning off the faucet while brushing your teeth and other behaviors add up and can make a collective difference.
• Efficient Fixtures/Appliances/Landscapes: Homes and businesses that have water-efficient appliances, fixtures, irrigation, and technologies use less water every time someone flushes, washes, showers, or waters their landscape.
• Leaks: The average household in the US wastes 10,000 gallons of water due to leaks every year, which is about 12% of the total average annual household water use. 10% of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons or more per day (EPA).
• Population: More people means more water use. Total residential and commercial water use all increase with a growing population.
• Land Development Patterns and Urban Design: Less dense developments with more landscaped areas require more outdoor water use to maintain. Landscape types that are not regionally adapted or native to our area, such as turf grasses and others, require more water than nature provides.

2024 Water Conservation Annual Report

In 2024, water-saving actions conserved approximately 70 million gallons through residential programs and 110 million gallons through commercial efforts — totaling 180 million gallons, or about 2.5% of the City’s total treated water for the year. That’s equivalent to the average annual water use of 2,224 detached homes in Fort Collins. 

• Rebated 876 high-efficiency rotary nozzles saving over 1.3 million gallons of water annually. 
• Sent 12,853 leak alerts via MyWater, helping customers fix leaks sooner and savings an estimated 111 million gallons of water. 
• Reviewed 276 irrigation designs, ensuring new commercial landscapes meet high-efficiency irrigation codes. 
• Welcomed 830 attendees to EcoFest/Xeriscape Garden Party and helped 3,300 plants find new owners at the NoCo Native Plant Swap. 
• Provided 600 showerheads and 1,000 sink aerators at a large multi-unit residential complex saving 3 million gallons of water. Customers received the equipment and installation for free through Efficiency Works.
• Completed 77 residential and commercial Xeriscape Incentive Program (XIP) projects.  
• Updated City Code to limit landscapes on new commercial and multi-unit residential developments to no more than an average 11 gallons per square foot of water per year, which is 25% less than prior code requirements.  
• Engaged with the community and stakeholders to gather input from over 5,000 interactions, helping shape the 2025 Water Efficiency Plan. The plan establishes new goals for water use across the City and community, along with the strategies to achieve them.

The 2025 Water Efficiency Plan (WEP) outlines our approach to manage treated water use and efficiency amid growing supply and demand pressures in the Water Utilities service area.

By improving how water is used across residential, commercial, and municipal sectors, the WEP helps support long-term water resilience for our system and customers. The plan supports the City’s “One Water” commitment—managing water holistically to promote healthy watersheds, resilient communities, and water equity.

What is a Water Shortage?

A water shortage happens when the projected water supply is less than the anticipated water demand, while also keeping a set amount of water reserves in storage. Current water restrictions are posted as notices at the top of this page. 

The following events, or combination of events, are examples that could trigger a water shortage:

• Drought
• Contamination or other water quality issues
• Treatment plant offline or another infrastructure issue
• Federal or state actions that limit water supplies

The Water Shortage Action Plan(PDF, 2MB) (WSAP) establishes conditions and restrictions to manage our water supply in the event of projected water shortages as established by City Code Section 26-167(a). Fort Collins Utilities uses water supply projections, meteorological forecasts, and available storage to estimate whether supplies are adequate to meet demand. If supplies are less than expected demand, we may need water restrictions to manage the availability of water. These actions only apply to Utilities water customers.

Water Restrictions

The WSAP includes a comprehensive list of strategies and restrictions to be implemented in the event of a water shortage, as declared by the City Manager.

• Voluntary indoor water use strategies encourage optional and additional water use reductions based on water-efficient best practices and will be promoted concurrently during any mandatory outdoor water use restrictions. 
• Mandatory outdoor water use restrictions are water use reduction strategies that are subject to monitoring and enforcement. 
• Alternative demand reduction actions may include a unique combination of mandatory restrictions and/or voluntary water restrictions. This level should be enacted when other levels are not adequate or appropriate to address a unique or extreme water shortage scenario.

Permits

Permits are available to allow exceptions to assigned watering days and frequencies only. Permits may be issued for individuals or businesses unable to comply with watering restrictions for the following conditions:

• New seed and sod
• Medical/physical hardship
• Religious objection
• Large (four acres or greater) and City parks inactive areas that are too large to water within the specified time
• City and Community active areas like athletic fields
• Raw or well water use

Permits applications are available when a water shortage is declared. 

Enforcement

Enforcement, including fines, and permitting functions for Utilities’ water restrictions are designed to ensure compliance with the WSAP, as well as City Code Section 26-166 (Prohibition of waste). Enforcement of restrictions, together with ongoing public education and outreach, are needed to achieve the goal of decreasing water demand, thus minimizing the need for greater water restriction action levels. 

Rate Adjustments

Water Shortage Action Levels II and III include rate increases to further promote conservation and recognize the reduction in revenue due to less water use. Rate adjustments could be applied under Action Level IV if necessary and approved by City Council.

Future Updates

Regular and frequent review of the WSAP and water shortage action measures is critical to ensure Utilities’ staff and customers are prepared for a water shortage. The WSAP should be reviewed at least every five years, or sooner as new information becomes available. Updates may be necessary during or following a water shortage event, updates to either the Water Supply and Demand Management Policy or the Water Efficiency Plan, or changes to City Code.

For More Information

For questions or more information, contact  savewater@fortcollins.gov, 970-221-6719 or V/TDD 711. 

Notify us of leaks, flowing or pooling water by filling out the Saving Water Form or calling 970-416-2881. Please include the following information:

• Property address OR cross streets with a directional location (e.g. northwest corner of Water Street and Flood Way)
• What you witnessed (see below)
• Date and time of day
• Your contact information if you'd like a follow-up contact

Notify us when you see:

• Pooling or steady flow of water into storm drainage facilities, or onto streets, sidewalks, driveways or other impervious surfaces.
• A leak or broken component of an irrigation system or an outdoor plumbing fixture.
• Water being used on an impervious surface, vehicle or other structure or object by a hose without a nozzle with an automatic shut off capability (i.e. water is only applied if the user is squeezing the handle).

City of Fort Collins Wasting Water Code - Sec. 26-166 Waste of water prohibited

It is unlawful to waste water obtained from the City in any manner. No person shall cause the waste of water, or knowingly fail to prevent the waste of water on property owned by, or within the control of, such person. See the full ordinance here.