Aurora OKs water restrictions for year

Javier Erik Olvera, Rocky Mountain News

Published April 18, 2006 at midnight

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AURORA - Water customers will face another year of water restrictions as city leaders attempt to encourage conservation while reserves slowly improve.

On Monday, City Council members unanimously decided to impose a fifth year of restrictions that will make it illegal for customers to water more than three days a week.

Those who repeatedly violate the rules - which will be in effect from May 1 through Oct. 31 - will face fines of at least $250, said spokeswoman Melissa Elliott.

The decision was made days after the city's water reserves reached 60 percent - making it possible for customers to have access to more water even as they face the restrictions.

Customers will have 23 percent more water than they had in 2005 under the restrictions. The limits are intended to make residents more conscious about conservation.

"We need to create a culture of conservation . . . and make a permanent change," said Mayor Ed Tauer.

Those whose addresses end in even numbers can water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, and those with odd numbers can water on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Also on Monday, council members decided to ask leaders in Watkins to join the Denver Regional Council of Governments, which monitors growth. The request was made after Watkins leaders approved a plan that would increase the town's population from 1,900 today to 23,000 in two decades.

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