Starting Sunday, Nov. 1, homes and businesses across the Las Vegas Valley can run their sprinklers only one assigned day per week, and never on Sundays, under the Southern Nevada Water Authority’s winter watering rules. The schedule stays in place through Feb. 28. The switch lands on a busy weekend: forecasters expect showers and thunderstorms to roll in Friday and linger through Halloween.
Key Takeaways
- Winter watering restrictions start Sunday, Nov. 1, and run through Feb. 28 for residential and commercial customers.
- Sprinkler irrigation is limited to one assigned day per week. Sunday watering is not allowed.
- SNWA suggests watering trees and plants on drip systems just once every 7 to 14 days.
- Daylight saving time also ends Sunday, so irrigation clocks need a reset.
- Rain and storm chances rise Friday through Sunday, with highs falling from the mid-70s to the 60s.
What changes Sunday
The Southern Nevada Water Authority says the seasonal limits apply to both residential and commercial properties valley-wide. Spray irrigation is restricted to one assigned day each week, and watering on Sunday is prohibited. The water authority lists which areas water on which days on its website, snwa.com, so check there if you are not sure of your day.
For drip-irrigated plants and trees, SNWA recommends cutting back to once every seven to 14 days. For grass, the agency suggests setting spray cycles for mid-morning so water doesn’t freeze into ice on lawns and sidewalks on cold mornings.
Reset your timer for the time change
Daylight saving time ends the same day the restrictions start, Sunday, Nov. 1. SNWA reminds customers to adjust irrigation controllers so they don’t end up running an hour off, or on the wrong day.
Rain is on the way
Mother Nature may handle some of the watering this weekend. FOX5’s forecast calls for a mostly cloudy Thursday near 76 degrees, then showers and thunderstorms returning Friday with a high near 71. Rain chances climb from Saturday afternoon (Halloween) into Sunday, with highs near 70 and 67. Gusty winds come with the system, and snow levels drop to around 7,500 feet by Sunday evening. Monday and Tuesday look dry and about 5 degrees below normal. Timing and rainfall totals are still uncertain, so trick-or-treaters should keep an eye on the forecast.
What it means for locals and visitors
For homeowners, the biggest step is resetting the sprinkler clock to the new day and the new time. SNWA says customers who follow the seasonal schedules all year can save up to $300 a year on their water bills. On a rainy assigned day, it makes sense to let the storm do the work. Visitors may notice fewer sprinklers running and, this weekend, wet roads: drive slower, leave extra room and watch for flooding in low spots during storms.