The Las Vegas Valley Water District maintains a mandatory seasonal watering schedule for all residents for significant water conservation. Homeowners with drip irrigation systems must follow the schedule, which features prohibited days and scheduled water by group.

How To Figure Out Watering Schedules

The Water District assigns each home within the Vegas Valley a watering group. You can access your watering group and watering instructions by looking up your address on the Water District Website. Each group must follow a specific watering pattern.

• Group A
• Group B
• Group C
• Group D
• Group E
• Group F

However, the District prohibits all groups from watering on Sundays all year.

How Often Should You Adjust Your Irrigation Schedule?

Seasonal changes in Las Vegas demand that adjustments be made at least four times a year, correlating closely with the transitioning seasons. Residents can use their drip irrigation system any day of the week (except Sunday). However, the schedule limits the number of days by season. The Water District’s recommendations for drip irrigation systems are:

• Winter: Once a week or every other week
• Spring & Fall: Once or twice a week
• Summer: Two to three days a week

Summer Tuning: Peak Water Needs

During the heat of summer, your landscape’s water needs will be at their highest. The longer daylight hours and intense sun can rapidly dry out the soil in Nevada. Mandatory water restrictions go into effect from Monday through Saturday. The summer schedule runs from May through August.

• Increase watering frequency but monitor for overwatering.
• Early morning watering before sunrise is most effective in reducing evaporation.
• Turn off your irrigation system’s clock during rainy days.

Take note that through August 31, residents may not water their landscape between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m., as this window has a high chance of evaporation.

Spring Adjustment: Waking Up Your Garden

Spring in Las Vegas can still have cool nights, but the days gradually warm up. This is the time to increase the frequency of watering as plants come out of dormancy and begin new growth. Residents may perform landscape irrigation three assigned days a week from March to April.

Watering Schedule by Group for Spring

• Group A: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
• Group B: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
• Group C: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
• Group D: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
• Group E: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
• Group F: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday

Residents should transition slowly from winter settings. It’s important to observe your plant’s responses and adjust accordingly. Some plants will require less water, so check the soil.

Fall Scale-Back: Preparing For Cooler Weather

As temperatures begin to drop in the fall, plant water requirements decrease. This is a crucial time to start reducing the watering frequency. The same permitted watering days from spring apply through fall, and the fall schedule runs through September and October.

• Gradually reduce the amount of water.
• Prepare plants for entering dormancy.

Winter Settings: Minimal Water Use

Many plants are dormant in the cold desert winter, and evaporation rates are low, so minimal watering is needed. The winter schedule runs from November through February and features designated days for each watering group. This is also a good time to protect sensitive plants from frost.

• Group A: Monday
• Group B: Tuesday
• Group C: Wednesday
• Group D: Thursday
• Group E: Friday
• Group F: Saturday

Optimizing Irrigation With Technology

The convenience of automated irrigation systems in achieving efficient water usage cannot be understated. Invest in a quality smart irrigation controller when you repair or replace your irrigation system and you can use soil moisture sensors for precise watering.

Benefits Of Proper Seasonal Adjustments

Understanding when and how to adjust your irrigation schedule conserves water and promotes healthier plant growth. A residential household can face an excessive use charge of $9.00 per every 1,000 gallons of water they use over the 28,000-gallon threshold for the summer.

• Enhanced Plant Health & Bloom
• Reduced Waste Of Water Resources
• Lower Utility Bills Due To Optimal Water Usage

Common Challenges and Solutions

Adjusting your irrigation system can sometimes be daunting, but it’s important. Here are common issues faced by homeowners and their solutions:

• Overwatering Leads To Root Rot – Use Soil Sensors
• Underwatering During Peak Summer – Set Timers For Early Morning
• Equipment Malfunctions – Regular Outdoor Plumbing Maintenance Checks

Frequently Asked Questions About Drip Irrigation