Water restrictions may come in early April for Fort Collins’ residents. The city depends on the Cache la Poudre River for about half of its water supply and snowpack for the Poudre River basin is only at 50 percent of average.
Drought conditions are likely to persist and possibly intensify in the upcoming months according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Fort Collins Utilities General Manager Brian Janonis says even if snowpack levels rise, water from the Poudre River may not be usable due to contamination problems created by runoff from last summer’s High Park Fire.
Fort Collins will implement Level 1 restrictions, limiting watering to two days a week, beginning April 1.
Violators of the water restrictions face fines ranging from $250 to $1,000. City officials will reassess the water supply and consider enacting tougher restrictions in mid-April.
