Beginning January 2027, Highlands Ranch Water is reducing the residential indoor water budget from 12,000 to 9,000 gallons of water every two months to better reflect how households use water today.

The current indoor water budget was established more than 20 years ago, when homes typically used more water and households were larger. Since then, high-efficiency toilets, washing machines, dishwashers and other water-saving fixtures have significantly reduced indoor water use.

Today, our average customer uses about 8,500 gallons of water every two months, which is less than the proposed reduction to 9,000 gallons. That means many households are already within the new budget and won't need to change their water use habits.

What does this mean for you?

Your water budget is not a limit on how much water you can use. It determines how much water is available at the lowest rate. Customers can continue using the water they need, but usage above their budget is charged at higher rates just as it always has.

By aligning water budgets with today's more efficient homes, we're encouraging customers with higher indoor water use to identify leaks, reduce unnecessary water use and make simple efficiency improvements.

Small changes can make a big difference

This adjustment has the potential to save more than 114 million gallons of water annually,  enough to supply water for approximately 1,000 homes for one year.

Updating indoor water budgets is one more way we're encouraging responsible water use, protecting our community's long-term water supply and helping keep water service affordable.

A little preparation now can help you better understand and manage your water use before the new indoor water budget takes effect in January 2027.

• Get to know your water budget. Review your water bill to see your current water budget and how much water your household uses. You can find out what your water budget is for the current billing cycle and for the next billing cycle as well. Understanding your budget is the first step toward managing your water use.
• Look at your water use history. Log in to your online customer account to review past water use. Are you typically within your budget? Knowing your household's water use patterns can help you identify opportunities to save.
• Locate your water meter. Learn where your water meter is located and how to read it. Your meter can help you track water use and identify potential leaks.
• Have a larger household?  If four or more people live in your home, you may qualify for a household population adjustment which increases your indoor water budget to account for additional household members. An increase in your water budget will also result in a corresponding increase to your wastewater rate. Consider applying if you haven't already. The Household Population Adjustment Affidavit Application is available on our website.