The city of Englewood is strengthening its water restriction authority in the wake of historically low snowfall after the City Council unanimously approved updates to the city’s municipal water code. 

The revised code codifies the city’s authority to establish mandatory, enforceable water restrictions and establishes clear enforcement for violations, up to criminal infractions.

The updates extend to all customers receiving city water, including those outside city limits.

“What these code changes do is allow us to make that transition away from voluntary to mandatory if the drought persists or gets worse,” Director of Utilities Pieter Van Ry said.

Englewood, which relies on 100% renewable sources, has never implemented mandatory water restrictions, instead relying on voluntary conservation measures, according to staff. Van Ry told the council that if drought conditions continue, mandatory restrictions could be the next step in conservation.

“It’s relative to the ongoing nature of the drought,” Van Ry said. “If it doesn’t end this year and moves into next year, that is when I think we look at the possibility of moving to mandatory.”

The city is currently under a voluntary three-day-per-week water schedule to address the bulk of summer water use. Any future move to mandatory restrictions would require council action.

City Council members pushed back against and ultimately rejected a draft provision that would allow the utility to shut off water for egregious violations of water restrictions.

“I want to concur with the other concerns that shutoff seems like the nuclear option to me. It doesn’t seem fair to effectively shut down someone’s home for misuse of water,” Councilmember Steven Ward said.

City officials said that broader water conservation efforts are expected later this year through changes to Englewood’s rate structure. Englewood currently uses a declining block rate system, meaning water becomes cheaper as usage increases. 

“It is the last declining block rate structure in the state,” Van Ry said. “There is no incentive built into the rate structure to conserve water because most people don’t use 100,000 gallons in a month.”

With the amendments approved, staff said they will continue to monitor conditions and respond if necessary.