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Dillon declares water emergency

Lu Snyder

DILLON – Dillon’s mandatory water restrictions will be implemented Wednesday, July 24 – a week later than initially expected.

Town officials decided, at their July 2 meeting, it was time to impose townwide mandatory water restrictions. Those were to go into effect Wednesday, July 17.

But after review, Dillon’s town attorney Mark Shapiro said the ordinance needed further clarification. The mandatory restrictions were postponed, and the issue was revisited at Tuesday’s council meeting.



The town had been under voluntary water restrictions since early June and town officials had hoped for a 20 percent decrease in consumption. June meter readings indicated only a 5 percent drop from the same time last year.

The town of Dillon and Dillon Valley depend on Straight Creek for water, and Dillon town officials have been monitoring the creek’s water levels since late spring. By early July, flows were only 8 percent of average water levels for the past 15 years, said Dillon interim town manager Eric Holgerson.



The lack of success of the voluntary restrictions, combined with the low creek levels, prompted town officials to impose mandatory restrictions.

At Tuesday’s council meeting, town officials clarified the penalty provisions for those who do not comply with the restrictions – specifically for the fifth or any subsequent offense, said town treasurer Carri McDonnell.

First offenders will receive a written warning, with fines ranging from $100 to $500 for the second through fourth offenses.

More than four times in a 12-month period will result in a $1,000 penalty or the loss of water service for up to three months (at the discretion of the public works director). All penalties will be assessed to the customer’s water bill.

McDonnell said the town will be notifying all property owners of the mandatory restrictions by mail. They also will deliver notices to residences and businesses.

The mandatory restrictions will be effective July 24 and will utilize the same watering schedule as used for the voluntary program.

Residents and businesses will be required to limit their outdoor watering between 5 p.m. and 9 a.m. There is no watering on Mondays, and alternate watering days are designated by location.

Lu Snyder can be reached at 970-668-3998 x203 or lsnyder@summitdaily.com

Dillon Mandatory Water Restrictions

– No outdoor water use on Mondays

– Watering schedule for Tuesday through Sunday, from 5 p.m. until 9 a.m. as follows:

– North side of Highway 6: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday

– South side of Highway 6: Wednesday, Friday, Sunday

For more information, contact the Dillon water department at (970) 262-3426


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