Despite abnormally warm and dry conditions in the Pikes Peak region, Colorado Springs Utilities officials are not planning to impose restrictions on water usage this year.

The area has seen slightly more than half of the average precipitation so far this year and temperatures are nearly two degrees above normal to date, said Abigail Ortega, water resources manager. But Utilities has nearly three years worth of water on hand.

The 30 reservoirs providing water to Utilities average 81 percent of capacity, Ortega said.

Many customers may recall restrictions from 2002 to 2005 and in 2012 and 2013, said Utilities spokeswoman Natalie Eckhart. In those years, residents were only allowed to water their lawns on specific days; neighbors would often report violators.

But by and large, customers have maintained responsible water use habits, Eckhart said. Utilities is encouraging people to water their lawns and plants now, as weather allows.

“It’s really important that you pull out the hose on the warm days and give your trees a drink, give your grass a drink and maintain that healthy landscape,” Eckhart said.

If temperatures rise above 40 degrees, Eckhart said residents can water their lawns as often as once a week.

That watering allows plants to establish healthy root systems now, so when summer hits they’ll require less water, Ortega said.

As the wildfire threat looms, Ortega said she doesn’t expect a drastic impact on Utilities’ reserves. But if another large-scale fire breaks out – such as the Waldo Canyon Fire – a bigger risk would be flooding, which can taint reserves, she said. Crews are working now to mitigate those risks.

Ortega gave Utilities’ board of directors a brief update on the water reserves Wednesday afternoon. Pleased with the information, Board President Tom Strand encouraged customers to maintain responsible water use habits.

Utilities is offering free ‘Water Wise Landscape’ classes monthly through September. For information, go to csu.org or call 668-8232.