How much water should I be using?

Castle Rock Water is committed to helping you be efficient with your water use, and we have several great tools to help. The first is your water budget, found on your monthly statement. This suggested water use amount is specific to you and scientifically calculated to answer how much you should be using. Tier 1, indoor usage, is an average of your (actual) winter usage. Tier 2, is your property size calculated with a weather indicator. Occasionally you may be under or over this budget, but your budget is a great gauge to how much you should be using. However, if you consume enough water that you consistently reach into Tier 3, you are probably using too much water--or could have a leak. Tier 1, your AWMC, was recalculated in April, and Tier 2 is in effect May - Sept., when watering schedules apply. If you have questions about your tiers, usage or bill, please contact us at 303-660-1373 or email.

Our creeks depend on you.

Keeping our watershed free of trash, pet waste and oil spills is essential for our drinking water quality. A primary source of water supply for Castle Rock comes from East Plum Creek. While we pump this water to our water purification facility to be treated to safe standards, starting with a cleaner water source reduces the needs and costs for stronger treatment options. A clean watershed also provides for a better ecosystem, providing for healthy wildlife. This in turn also makes our community more beautiful! One way to help keep Castle Rock beautiful is by joining our Spring Up the Creek trash pick up event on May 7. Register at CRgov.com/SpringUp.

The rationale behind the annual ColoradoScape contest

Castle Rock Water coined the term ColoradoScape to represent a landscape design that has vibrant perennials, stunning trees and textural hardscapes that have seasonal beauty and use less water. A water-wise landscape is not one with zero plants and zero water. The ColoradoScape contest is a fun, educational and rewarding way to get the word out that water conservation in the landscape is as important as is the aesthetics of our homes and neighborhoods. Castle Rock doesn't want to look like Arizona or Santa Fe - or Kentucky. This social media contest is about gleaning excitement about conservation and educating residents about colorful landscape design. It runs April 1 - 30, and one resident will win a new front yard ColoradoScape. It's in the front yard so everyone can see it! A 30-second video posted on social media with some wise words about conserving water in the landscape is all it takes to enter. Find tips and details at CRconserve.com/Contest.

Ask the Expert.

Have a water question about conservation, treatment or projects? We’d love to answer. Email us.

Customer question: If we stopped building, wouldn’t we have enough water for the future?

Mark Marlowe, Castle Rock Water director:

Much of the growth we’re seeing today was set in motion more than 40 years ago when land was annexed into the Town and zoned for certain uses. We’re now seeing the development as a result of a strong economy and the desirable nature of our community.

Because the land within Town was zoned so long ago, we’ve had the potential growth factored into our long-term water plans for many years.

But, there’s more to the equation. Castle Rock needs a long-term water supply plan whether or not we grow. The underground aquifers which have historically been a primary water supply for all South Metro communities are slowly being depleted. It takes lifetimes to replenish this source. Additionally, Colorado historically goes through periods of drought which affect renewable water availability and demands on our underground aquifers. We need more renewable sources to handle our current and future demands.

Growth is actually helping propel plans, creating economies of scale to build a renewable water system and providing significant funding for these renewable water efforts. Renewable supplies are replenished each year and this comes in the form of local water from our nearby creeks, storage reservoirs we can tap when drought or adverse conditions arise, additional conservation measures for efficient consumption, and importing renewable water supplies from areas where excess supplies are available. One of the most economical, environmentally-friendly and growth-independent sources of water is the water we already have. Castle Rock began reusing water in 2021, and this source will ultimately constitute one-third of our supply. Castle Rock is ahead of our long-term goals of sustainable supplies, which is in part due to growth.

As far as conservation goes, Castle Rock Water advocates for the efficient use of water. We’re not running out of water because we’ve anticipated growth and carefully planned for future needs. However, the more we can encourage consumers to be mindful of water use and waste, the more it will help decrease our long-term costs to develop renewable water resources for existing and future customers.

Learn more from Castle Rock Water Director Mark Marlowe in his interview with Douglas County Commissioner George Teal on the County's YouTube channel: County's YouTube channel