The Denver Board of Water Commissioners adopted a resolution June 26 downgrading the Stage 2 drought to a Stage 1 drought, lifting the two-day-per-week assigned watering schedule Arvada had been following.

Arvada receives the majority of its water from Denver Water through a contract that requires Arvada to adopt the same rules and restrictions as Denver Water.

Drought 2 water restrictions were enacted in April because of the 60 percent snowpack, extremely dry conditions and lower-than-normal reservoirs. Late-season snows improved conditions significantly, and the snowpack in both Denver’s and Arvada’s watersheds ended up above 90 percent of the average.

The reservoirs are about 92 percent full, which is expected to be the peak for this year; this time last year the reservoirs were about 91 percent full.

The board delayed implementation of drought pricing in May in light of the improved conditions. The Stage 1 declaration removes drought pricing entirely.

Though the two-day watering limit has been lifted, Denver Water and the city of Arvada ask residents to contine to reduce their water use to prepare for the possibility of another dry winter.

Denver Water and Arvada ask that customers water no more than three days per week on whichever days they choose; to not water lawns between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.; to not waste water by spraying it on concrete and asphalt or allowing it to pool in gutters, streets and alleys; to repair leaking sprinkler systems within 10 days; and to not water while it is raining or during high winds.

Residents who see water waste or broken sprinklers in Arvada should call the Drought Hotline at 720-898-7805.

For more information about the drought and watering tips, go online to www.ArvadaDrought.org.

Arvada Mayor Marc Williams was elected president of the Colorado Municipal League for 2013-14 at the 91st annual CML conference June 18-21 in Vail.

Bennett Mayor Pro Tem Charles Bayley was elected vice president, Durango Councilwoman Christina Rinderle was elected secretary-treasurer, and Evans City Manager Aden Hogan will serve as immediate past president.

Williams was elected to City Council in November 1999 and has been re-elected twice. He was elected mayor in November 2011.

He was elected to CML’s executive board in 2006 and was re-elected in June 2008. He has also served on the National League of Cities Policy committee for transportation and infrastructure along with the First Tier Suburbs Committee as well as numerous other boards.