Durango spent the first half of 2026 under mandatory watering limits, and then they ended. If you remember "No Water Wednesday" and wonder whether it still applies, the short version is that it does not. A few rules never went away, though, and your own water provider may have a different set from the city's.
Does Durango have water restrictions right now?
Not at the city level. The City of Durango declared Stage 1 on April 10, 2026. The City Council voted to end it at its Oct. 6 meeting. The city's news release credits rain, cooler weather and better raw water supplies for lowering demand. Public Works told council the limits were no longer needed, so normal water use can resume. The Durango Herald adds that the odd and even address irrigation days are gone.
Your own water system may play by other rules. Lake Durango Water Authority supplies Durango West 2, and it posted Stage 2 rules that took effect Aug. 1, 2026. Outdoor watering is limited to two hours, one day a week, because of drought and a two-month project to refurbish its main tank (Durango West 2). The notice we found gives no end date. Call your provider or check its site before you run a sprinkler.
What did Stage 1 require, and why?
The city pointed to record-low snowpack, early runoff and a warm, dry spring (City of Durango). Its goal was a 20% cut in daily demand. Lawn irrigation makes up about 70% of Durango's water use, so the rules aimed there. Per the city's drought page, Stage 1 meant:
- Outdoor irrigation limited to three days a week, between 7 p.m. and 9 a.m.
- Odd-numbered addresses on Monday, Thursday and Saturday; even-numbered on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday
- No outdoor irrigation at all on Wednesdays
- New plantings limited to drought-tolerant species
- No washing of driveways and sidewalks, and no running non-recirculating fountains from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The city said violations could draw fines under City Code. Citywide use did not fall as far as hoped. Still, people followed the schedule well enough that the city met peak daily demand all summer, and Wednesdays gave the Terminal Reservoir a day to refill each week.
What rules apply all year?
The city's drought page lists a standing ban on watering lawns from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., even in normal operations. The Land Use Development Code also bars new installations of non-functional turf. Private pools and hot tubs should stay covered when not in use and be kept free of leaks. Businesses are asked to avoid waste. Restaurants are encouraged to serve water only on request. Car dealerships should wash vehicles with a bucket and a hose that has a shut-off nozzle.
What are the four drought stages?
Each stage adds to the one before it. This is a short version of the residential rules in the city's Drought Management Plan table:
| Stage | What changes for residents |
|---|---|
| 1 | Three assigned irrigation days, 7 p.m. to 9 a.m.; Wednesday off; drought-tolerant new plantings only |
| 2 | Limited watering days and times; no new sod or seed; no washing personal vehicles except at commercial car washes; residential fountains off |
| 3 | Watering by hand-held hose or no-volume device only; filling pools and hot tubs prohibited; residents limited to 30 gallons per person per day |
| 4 | All outdoor water use prohibited except emergency response; indoor use limited to critical needs and may be shut off periodically |
Why does the city's page still show Stage 1?
When we checked on Oct. 22, the drought page still said restrictions were "in effect as of 4/10/26" above the Stage 1 row. The city's own news release and local reporting say they ended. The council vote is the later fact, and the web page should catch up. Got an enforcement notice anyway? Call the city instead of trusting either page.
Is Durango still in a drought?
The Oct. 1 U.S. Drought Monitor map showed abnormally dry, moderate and severe drought in La Plata County, the Herald reported, and most of the county sat in moderate drought. A federal regional update says Colorado had its hottest summer on record. It also says big reservoirs entered the 2027 water year at historically low levels, though seasonal outlooks lean wetter for the Four Corners (Drought.gov). The city is rewriting its water efficiency plan and its drought plan. It says public comment reopens from December 2026 to January 2027.
What should you do before next spring?
Fix leaky irrigation lines now, while watering is relaxed, and pick plants that suit a dry mountain climate. Our guide to setting up utilities in Durango covers accounts and billing. The answer on tap water safety covers what comes out of the faucet. Fire danger runs on a separate system, explained in how fire restrictions work in La Plata County. Need irrigation repair? Browse sprinkler system contractors.