We would need years of above-average rainfall for the lake to replenish, and it does not look like that will be happening. Unfortunately, experts think it will only get worse.

As a result, Las Vegas has enforced water restrictions. The bulk of these restrictions center around landscaping, and you can be subject to some hefty fines if you are caught violating these restrictions. These restrictions have already gone into effect, but you can expect more to come soon.

Let’s take a look at these new restrictions.

Mandatory Watering Schedule

Las Vegas has implemented a mandatory watering schedule based on where you live. Residents in each zone are only allowed to water their landscaping on certain days of the week. Watering on Sunday is not permitted ever, but during the summer, you can water Monday-Saturday. However, once we move into the cooler fall and winter months, you’ll need to pay attention to when your designated watering day is.

Regardless of which zone you are in, watering between the hours of 11 and 7 is prohibited. Watering during those times is really inefficient since the sun will just absorb it anyway.

To see which group you fall into, check out the Watering Schedule. You can also report water waste here.

Everyone Needs To Do Their Part

Water restrictions are not just for homeowners. Businesses are also facing some new restrictions. For example, all nonfunctional lawns will need to be removed by 2026, which will save the community an estimated 9.6 billion gallons of water per year. The city is also attempting to revamp new building codes to put a limit on how large swimming pools can be.

If everyone makes changes in their water usage, we will be in much better shape. Avoid watering on rainy days for obvious reasons, but also make sure to skip watering on windy days. The wind can blow your water in areas that don’t need water, like the sidewalk. This could save 500 gallons of water each day.

You can also use the “cycle and soak method,” which allows water to be absorbed more slowly by the soil, reducing the runoff risk. To do this, you should water for four minutes, three times per day, with one hour between watering. It’s also best if you water before sunrise in the hot summer months between May and October.

This water shortage is pretty scary. Hopefully, we’ll get a ton of rain in the next few years, but it’s unlikely. Watching how much water we use will have to be something that becomes part of our daily life.