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<br />r \ ., ,1... <br /> <br />POLICY STATEMENT REGARDING DROUGHT RESPONSE <br /> <br />Denver Board of Water Commissioners <br />August 21, 2002 <br /> <br />GOAL: The goal of drought response is to preserve the quality of public life and <br />economic activity to the extent possible in the face of water shortage. <br /> <br />. A void at all costs a prohibition on all outdoor watering, understanding that such a ban <br />could in fact cause significant damage to quality of life. <br />. Allow the watering of trees. If trees die, recovery is 30 years away. <br />. Allow outdoor uses of water for broad public benefit, such as athletic fields, priority <br />parkland and public swimming pools. Provide the greatest good for the greatest number <br />of people. <br /> <br />Principles to follow in establishinsz a drouszht response proszram: <br /> <br />. A void irretrievable loss of natural resources <br />o Allow watering of irreplaceable trees. <br />o Avoid killing perennial landscape if possible. <br />o Tailor water use restrictions as much as possible to known needs of landscape. <br /> <br />. Restrict less essential uses before essential uses <br />o Restrict misters, fountains and other aesthetic water features first. <br />o Avoid use of water as substitute for something else, e.g., cleaning impervious <br />surfaces or personal vehicle washing. <br />o Curtail outdoor use (except trees and shrubs) early, along with restrictions in <br />commercial use, before restricting domestic indoor water use. <br /> <br />. Impact individuals or small groups before impacting large groups or the public, <br />allowing as much public activity as possible to be unaffected <br />o Preserve community pools rather than residential pools. <br />o Restrict golf courses before public parks. <br />o Restrict less heavily used areas of parks where grass can go dormant before <br />formal and informal playing fields, where recreational activity will either kill the <br />grass or have to be prohibited. <br /> <br />. Minimize adverse financial impact <br />o Try not to put people out of business, although businesses dependent on purely <br />discretionary use of water will be affected. <br />o Distinguish seasonal commercial use, which is likely to be outdoor, for restriction. <br />o Restrict non-essential uses of water in businesses before affecting fundamental <br />business functions. <br />o Work with large users to reduce water use in the least disruptive manner. <br />