What Makes Denver Water Usage Go Up in the Summer?

One of the biggest culprits in increased water usage in the summer months is landscaping. Denverwater.org maintains that 12 gallons of water per square foot of mixed-use landscape per year should be the ideal goal for most homeowners. This is still a daunting amount of water. For example, if the national average yard size is around half an acre (20,301 square feet), you will ideally be using 243,612 gallons per year. If you are watering predominantly in the summer months (Jun-August), that amount is 81,204 gallons per month! 

Colorado Water Use Rules 2023

Colorado watering rules went into effect May 1. These are not meant to be viewed as restrictions; rather, they are a way to keep your lawn healthy and avoid water waste. The most important Colorado water use rules for 2023 are:

• No watering is permitted between 10 am and 6 pm
• Water no more than three times per week
• Repair sprinkler system issues within ten days
• Ensure sprinklers and other watering devices are pointing away from asphalt and concrete
• Avoid watering during high winds or when it is raining
• Attach a nozzle to a watering hose that has a shut-off valve when you are watering, washing your car, bathing a pet, etc.

These simple steps are beneficial to all of us in Colorado. Not only do they avoid water waste, they can have a positive impact on your monthly bill. 

Does Outdoor Watering Affect Water Softener Performance in Denver?

Absolutely! Ideally, your outdoor water faucets will also be using softened and purified water. After all, you don’t want to be watering your grass (and especially fruits and vegetables) with contaminated water. The sheer volume of soft water you will be using to maintain your lawn and garden can tax your water softener and mean more frequent maintenance, cleaning, and salt additions (see below for summer water softener maintenance tips). 

Of course, landscaping is not the only culprit in higher water bills in the summer months. A few contributing scenarios that can cause your Denver water softener to work harder include:

• More laundry: the children are home from school, needing more frequent changes of clothes and using a seemingly endless amount of towels to dry off from the pool and sprinkler. More laundry means more work for your water softener to keep clothes soft and residue-free.
• More baths: again, with the children home in the summer and lots of visits to water parks, pools, playgrounds, and other activities, you will likely be using the bath and shower more often. A water softener is essential in preventing soap scum, skin and scalp irritation, and build-up on your faucets and showerheads. 
• More drinking water: simply trying to stay cool and hydrated in the heat can spike both your water softener and water filtration system usage. Whether that means drinking more water straight from the tap or making another gallon of iced tea, you will likely see your water softener’s salt levels dropping much more often in the high temperatures.

Energy Rated Appliances and Hard Water

Energy Rated appliances are, by definition, designed to decrease energy usage and have a positive environmental impact. When it comes to home appliances that use water, one way to accomplish this is by lowering water pressure. Low-flow showerheads, for example, are designed to use the minimum amount of water while still providing adequate coverage. 

Reducing waste is always a good thing. However, you should be aware that low-flow appliances, including shower heads, toilets, dishwashers, and faucets, can be more susceptible to damage caused by hard water. This is true year round, but is especially a concern in the summer months when you will presumably be using these appliances more often. 

Keep your eyes open for signs of water hardness, such as calcification around faucets, soap scum, and skin irritation. If you do not have a water softener installed and you have energy rated appliances that use water, it might be time to call a water professional. Water softeners help maintain the optimal efficiency of any appliance, including energy-rated ones. 

Does Water Hardness Increase in Summer in Denver?

Yes, it does. If you do not have a water softener and have previously never had issues with hard water, you may start to notice symptoms of hard water during the summer in Denver. This is because even areas with predominantly soft water are subject to mineral fluctuations based on rainfall. During the rainy months, aquifers become diluted with the additional water, naturally softening it. In the summer, when rain is less common, source water can become more saturated with hard minerals. This is also true in the Spring if you experience less rain than typical. 

Even municipalities that claim to “pre-soften” water may bypass these systems during the summer months to meet increased demand. 

Tips for Maintaining Your Water Softener in Summer

In short, you will most likely be relying more heavily on your water softener during the summer. This is perfectly fine and should have no long-term effect, so long as you take proper steps to maintain your water softener:

1. Check the salt levels more frequently than you would during the other seasons.
2. Keep a couple extra bags of salt handy at all times for a quick refill (use only high-quality salt in your softener).
3. Keep your softener’s salt level at or above the halfway mark.
4. If you haven’t had your brine tank properly cleaned in the last year, have a professional do so at the beginning of the season.
5. Likewise, if you have not changed your pre-filter in the last six months, have your water care professional install a fresh one.

If you notice that your water is showing signs of hardness despite this maintenance, there may be another mechanical issue. Have your water pro inspect the machine for any potential mechanical sources causing performance failure. 

Denver Water Softener Maintenance and Installation

If you need assistance prepping your water softener for the summer months, or if you need a brand new installation, contact Paul Dowding with the Water Pros. Paul has decades of experience bringing fresh, soft water to homes all over the state of Colorado. Call or go online today to get started.