Saving Outdoors - Thornton Water

ABOUT HALF OF ALL WATER USED IN A YEAR IS OUTDOORS.

Reducing outdoor water use is the easiest way to save and has the largest impact on lowering your water bill. You don’t even have to give up your green lawn! There are smart watering practices, low-water plants and grasses, hardscaping features, and other water-wise options that let you stay green while caring for the blue.

Water Use Rules

In 2021, Thornton City Council adopted permanent Water Use Rules into City Code. The following turf/lawn irrigation rules will be enforced April 1 – October 31 (watering vegetable gardens and plant materials are not included):

Outdoor Irrigation

Water no more than 3 days/week, between the hours of 6 p.m. and 10 a.m.
Vegetable gardens and other gardens may be watered as needed.
Exceptions will be made for new sod, seeding and reseeding of lawns.
Exceptions will be made for large properties that cannot irrigate appropriately within the restricted schedule.

Water Leaks

A courtesy notice will be provided for water leaks.
Water leaks should be shut off or repaired as soon as possible, and not more than 10 days from the date of notice.
If water leaks are not remedied in provided time, residential penalty starts at $100 and commercial/irrigation penalty starts at $250.

Water Waste

A courtesy notice will be provided for water waste.
Water waste should be remedied soon as possible, and not more than 10 days from the
date of notice.
If water waste is not remedied in provided time, residential penalty starts at $100 and commercial/irrigation penalty starts at $250.

Consult our Watering Guide below every month for recommended number of minutes for watering lawns.

Thornton Watering Guide

For watering your lawn up to three days per week.

Total minutes per zone, per watering day. We recommend the Cycle & Soak method when possible, which means split watering times into three short cycles. Watering vegetable gardens or plant materials are not included.


	FIXED SPRAY NOZZLES	ROTORS	ROTARY NOZZLES	MANUAL SPRINKLERS
	minutes	minutes	minutes	minutes
MAY	12	24	30	18
JUNE	17	35	43	26
JULY	18	36	45	27
AUGUST	14	27	34	20
SEPTEMBER	11	23	28	17

October-April: Winter Watering

During colder months, snow does a good job of keeping trees, shrubs, perennials, and lawns hydrated so you don’t have to. If it’s over 40 degrees and there’s no snow on the ground, you can water once or twice a month.

Watering your trees.

Learn more about efficient tree watering throughout the year.

H2Overhaul Your Yard

Check out H₂0verhaul, our step-by-step guide to transform your yard into a beautiful landscape—complete with detailed instructions, tips, and encouragements. Click the icons below to download the entire H2Overhaul kit and be well on your way to the higher ground of water-wiseness.

Demo Gardens
You can have a spectacular yard, increase your curb appeal and property value, and yes, save gallons of water and boatloads of dollars, too. Here are some examples of gardens we love for all the reasons above. Feel free to visit these gardens and get inspired.

Visit our demonstration gardens:

Thornton Fire Station 5, 14051 Colorado Blvd.

Carpenter Recreation Center, 11151 Colorado Blvd.

DeMistify Facts — Outdoors

Welcome to our DeMistify series, with everything you wanted to know about where your water goes. Learn how to cut down your utility bill and conserve water outdoors by locating sneaky leaks, and irrigating and watering more efficiently. Find tips on how to save indoors here.