In 2011, Greeley implemented a pilot program to provide an informational water budget (e.g., for information only and not tied to rates) to a small group of single-family residential customers. Greeley used on-bill graphics to show customers how they were performing compared to their water budget and encouraged users to remain within their budget. Even with no financial incentive to remain within budget, the campaign proved successful. In 2013, the city provided informational water budgets to all single-family customers through their water bill.

To further incentivize single-family customers, Greeley took the next step, connecting the water budget to their rate structure. Under this new rate structure, customers are charged a higher rate for using water in exceedance of their budget. In 2016, Greeley began marketing and education on the new water budget-based rates and in 2017 the water budget-based rate structure went live. Then in 2020, Greeley evaluated the budgets and rates and adjusted them to make the budget more reflective of use.

Indoor Budget

The Greeley single-family residential indoor water budget is based on the number of people in each household, with a default of three people. Households with more than three people can update their information and water budget on the city’s website. Each household is allocated 45 gallons per person per day. Under Greeley’s system, the minimum monthly indoor water budget is 4,050 gallons (3 people x 45 gpcd x 30 days).

Outdoor Budget

The Greeley single-family outdoor water budget is based on:

• Real-time Greeley weather.
• Measured total irrigable area which is defined as the total area that could be landscaped, including any rights-of-way the customer is responsible for maintaining. It does not include the roof of the house, patios, driveways, or other hardscapes. Greeley allows customers to verify and update irrigable area with an online water budget map.

Customers are provided outdoor water budgets beginning April 15 and ending on October 31. The budget is adjusted each month to increase when the weather is hot and dry and decrease when the weather is cool and wet.

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• Establishing Indoor and Outdoor Water Budgets | Greeley, CO