Denver Water’s 1.5 million customers will see higher water bills next year as the state’s largest water provider tries to recover from this year’s extreme drought.

The utility’s Board of Water Commissioners voted Wednesday morning to increase rates for outdoor watering while simultaneously lowering rates for indoor water use. Denver Water’s leaders wanted to ensure that essential indoor water use for cooking, drinking and bathing remained affordable while encouraging people to conserve water sprayed on their lawns, according to a news release.

In terms of net impact, the price changes, which go into effect Jan. 1, are expected to raise monthly water bills for single-family homes by an average of about $3.25 to $4.50, according to Denver Water.

“We are experiencing a historic drought, which has stressed our system and our communities,” Denver Water CEO Alan Salazar said in a statement. “And we are asking our customers to conserve water and stretch the supplies we have.”

Last winter’s snow drought, followed by Denver’s hottest summer on record, sapped Denver Water’s reservoirs. Combined, the utility’s reservoirs sat at 66% full on Monday. They are typically 89% full this time of year.

Besides discouraging excessive use, the higher rates for outdoor watering will also pay for the utility’s system maintenance and larger infrastructure investments, like the expansion of Gross Reservoir and replacing lead pipes. The water provider does not receive tax dollars or make a profit.

“We all have a shared responsibility to ensure the system stays strong and resilient, because while this is one of the worst droughts Denver Water has experienced in the last 100 years, we know it won’t be the last,” Salazar said. “Our climate is warming, and we need to ensure that the 1.5 million people who rely on us have access to safe, affordable, clean water.”

The board also set rates Wednesday in case the system remains under drought restrictions next spring. Drought rates would be added to the base rate for outdoor water use.

Here’s how the new rates will play out for a single-family home customer in the city of Denver (suburban rates are a bit higher). Indoor water use will cost $2.33 per 1,000 gallons, and outdoor water use will cost $5.83 per 1,000 gallons.

Under drought conditions that limit lawn watering to two days a week, the outdoor water price will jump to $7.23 per 1,000 gallons.

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