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Southern Nevada moves to one-day-a-week winter watering

Southern Nevada moves to one-day-a-week winter watering

Rule Changes Las Vegas, NV local

The one-day schedule is in effect through Feb. 28, and Sunday sprinklers stay banned.

November 1st, 2026: One-day-a-week winter watering begins

Overview

Updated Nov 3

Southern Nevada's one-day-a-week winter watering schedule is now in effect. Through Feb. 28, sprinklers can run only on a household's assigned day, and never on Sunday.

The Southern Nevada Water Authority says outdoor water evaporates and is not recycled, unlike water used indoors. About 60 percent of the region's water goes outdoors, and the agency says following the seasonal rules can save the average customer up to $300 a year. Separately, a Clark County judge is weighing whether to pause enforcement of a 2021 law that bars Colorado River water on decorative grass, with a ruling expected the week of Nov. 9.

Why it matters

Your sprinkler clock now has to match your assigned day, or you risk a water-waste fee.

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Key Indicators

1
Assigned sprinkler day per week in winter
From Nov. 1 through Feb. 28, municipal customers may sprinkler irrigate only on their assigned day.
60%
Southern Nevada water used outdoors
Outdoor use evaporates and is counted against the region's Colorado River allowance.
$300
Potential annual household savings
SNWA says following seasonal watering rules can save the average customer this much.
120
Winter schedule length
One-day-a-week restrictions run Nov. 1 through Feb. 28.
Jan. 1
Turf fines set to start
The Las Vegas Valley Water District plans to begin fining irrigation of nonfunctional grass Jan. 1, if its board approves the fee schedule.

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Organizations Involved

Southern Nevada Water Authority
Southern Nevada Water Authority
Regional water authority
Winter one-day schedule in effect; member agencies handle enforcement

Regional authority that sets mandatory seasonal watering schedules for Southern Nevada municipal water customers.
Las Vegas Valley Water District
Las Vegas Valley Water District
Municipal water utility
Winter watering schedule in effect; turf-fee plan pending board review

Municipal utility that assigns watering groups and days for Las Vegas Valley customers.

Timeline

October 2026 February 2027

4 events Latest: November 1st, 2026 · 1 week ago
Tap a bar to jump to that date

  1. Winter watering schedule ends

    Upcoming Rule Change

    The one-day schedule is set to expire, with spring restrictions beginning March 1.

  2. One-day-a-week winter watering begins

    Latest Rule Change

    Sprinkler irrigation is limited to one assigned day per week, with Sunday watering prohibited.

  3. SNWA reminds customers to reset irrigation clocks

    Reminder

    The authority says winter restrictions begin Nov. 1 and urges residents and businesses to change schedules.

  4. Judge hears arguments on pausing turf-removal enforcement

    Legal

    Clark County District Judge Anna Albertson heard arguments over two days on whether to pause enforcement of the 2021 nonfunctional-grass law and whether the case can proceed as a class action. She said she would rule during the week of Nov. 9.

Scenarios

1

Winter restrictions end and spring schedule returns

Likely Resolves by Mar 1, 2027

Discussed by: SNWA's published seasonal schedule

The agency's schedule lists March 1 through April 30 as a three-day-per-week period. Unless SNWA changes the calendar, customers return to three assigned sprinkler days.

2

SNWA adds new winter enforcement or fee schedule

Unlikely Resolves by Feb 28, 2027

Discussed by: No cited source predicts this

The current schedule allows water-waste fees or citations for off-schedule watering. A new policy would require an SNWA board action or official notice beyond the existing reminder.

3

Nevada's 2027 nonfunctional grass ban takes effect

Likely Resolves by End of 2027

Discussed by: SNWA conservation page

A state law bars Colorado River water for nonfunctional grass at commercial, multi-family, government and other covered properties beginning in 2027. Homeowners' yards, cemeteries and recreational grass at schools and parks are excluded.

4

Judge pauses nonfunctional-grass enforcement before Jan. 1 fines

Uncertain Resolves by Nov 13, 2026

Discussed by: Attorneys for the plaintiffs challenging the 2021 turf law

Judge Anna Albertson is weighing a request to stop the Southern Nevada Water Authority and its member agencies from enforcing the turf-removal law while the lawsuit proceeds. She said she would decide during the week of Nov. 9. Fines for irrigating nonfunctional grass are set to begin Jan. 1 if the Las Vegas Valley Water District board approves the fee schedule.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

2017-2018

Cape Town Day Zero (2017-2018)

Cape Town faced a severe drought and imposed increasingly tight water restrictions. In early 2018, residents were limited to 50 liters per person per day as the city prepared for 'Day Zero,' when taps would be shut off.

Then

Residents cut use enough that Day Zero was avoided.

Now

The episode became a widely cited case of using public restrictions and messaging to avoid a water emergency.

Why this matters now

Southern Nevada's seasonal schedule relies on a similar mechanism: fixed watering days and public reminders to cut outdoor use before shortages worsen.

2014-2017

California drought emergency (2014-2017)

Governor Jerry Brown declared a drought emergency in 2014 and in 2015 ordered a 25 percent cut in urban water use.

Then

Cities imposed restrictions on outdoor watering and met the target.

Now

The rules eased after wet winters but changed how California utilities plan for drought.

Why this matters now

California's experience shows how outdoor watering limits become a first-line tool because outdoor use is often the largest discretionary share.

Sources

(6)
KLAS Southern Nevada Water Authority Las Vegas Valley Water District News3LV News In Las Vegas Las Vegas Review-Journal