Just the Facts - October
We have launched Just the Facts, a monthly Q&A about a key community topic. Our goal is to not only provide you with current, factual information, but spotlight our extraordinary, dedicated staff. This will be placed on the Community Corner page at eaglevail.org, and noticed via official EagleVail Metro District communication channels. Our goal is to address a key topic factually and proactively to better improve our ability to be in front of community questions. Please see below for October 2026's Just the Facts.
Just the Facts: October 2026
As we enter into October, with the golf course closure Sunday, Oct. 4, and having had valiantly come together as a community to – no pun intended! – weather the severe summer drought – many are asking, what do I do now? Our partners at Eagle River Water & Sanitation District helped us with an answer:
This summer, the community came together during one of the most challenging water years our valley has faced. Thanks to the efforts of residents like you across our service area, overall water use dropped by 29%, with outdoor water use down nearly 47% compared to the three-year average. That is a remarkable result, and it reflects the dedication with which the community responded to a shared challenge.
The water shortage isn’t behind us. Recovery will take a winter of heavy, sustained snowfall and even then, it isn’t guaranteed. Lower snowpack and warmer, drier summers are becoming more common for our valley and are no longer the exception. Planning now for landscapes that are resilient, beautiful, and use less water by design is a smart step toward a water-wise future for our rivers and our valley.
Here are a few ways to stay ahead of the curve:
Start planning now, with or without a landscaper. Landscapers across the valley worked miracles this summer, preserving landscapes while carefully cutting water use. If you work with a landscaper, start those conversations now. If you manage your own property, now's a great time to research and plan your own changes. Either way, drought-tolerant plantings, smarter irrigation, and reduced lawn areas are worthwhile investments for next season and beyond.
Rethink your lawn. Do you have lawn areas you rarely use or that struggled in this summer’s heat and drought? Now may be the perfect time to replace unneeded turf with a water-wise landscape. You don’t have to sacrifice beauty for water savings, water-wise landscapes come in a variety of styles. Planning your spring project now will give your new landscape time to thrive before next summer’s peak water demand.
Time to turn it off. As days have begun to grow shorter and cooler, your landscape needs less water too. Now's the time to shut it off and winterize early. Plants naturally slow down as temperatures cool, so extra water isn't doing any favors. Turning down or off now means savings on your bill, less strain on our shared supply, and one less thing to think about before the first freeze.
The EVMD and the ERWSD are grateful to all who supported water conservation efforts this summer. You made a meaningful difference for our rivers and water supplies. Thank you!