The City of Manitou Springs asked residents to temporarily reduce water usage as it began the process of refilling the 2-million-gallon Mesa water storage tank.

The city issued a press release on Monday, Aug. 3, announcing that the process had begun to refill the community's original Mesa water tank after a year-long restoration project. The original 2-million-gallon tank has served the Manitou community since 1965.

A new 1.1-million-gallon water tank was constructed and completed in April of 2025, ahead of the planned restoration of the original 2-million-gallon tank. The plan calls for the two tanks to function in tandem, increasing the city's total finished water storage capacity to more than 3.5 million gallons.

The restoration project was funded by a $577,726 grant from DOLA's Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance Fund, matched with $622,274 from the city's Drinking Water Revolving Loan, totaling $1.2 million.

"Refilling the tank is a critical operation that places increased demand on the city's water treatment system and requires the expertise and close coordination of specialized staff," the city said. In an effort to reduce strain on the water treatment system, the city asked residents to reduce their water usage through Wednesday, Aug. 5, delaying all irrigation and using water only for essential needs during that time.

The conservation request extended to community members and businesses alike. "Community cooperation is vital during this process," said John Elwell, Water Treatment Plant ORC. "By conserving water over the next few days, residents can help support system stability and ensure a smooth and timely refill of the tank."

Once the Mesa tank reaches capacity, normal water use may resume under current Stage I water restrictions. The city said it will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as needed.

Residents should watch for city communications confirming when the Mesa tank has reached full capacity and the short-term conservation request has been lifted.