Beginning Aug. 10, 2026, landscape watering with above-ground sprinkler systems in Moab will be limited to the hours of 6 p.m. to 10 a.m. The new ordinance was approved by the Moab City Council on July 28.
The permanent watering schedule is intended to reduce water loss from evaporation and help protect the city's long-term water supply. Residents and businesses using city water for landscape irrigation are encouraged to adjust automatic irrigation controllers and manual schedules before the Aug. 10 deadline.
The ordinance applies to all residential and business customers using city water for landscapes with above-ground sprinkler systems. This includes pop-up spray heads, rotor sprinklers, oscillating, impact, and stationary sprinklers, as well as other temporary irrigation systems.
Certain methods are exempt from these restrictions, including drip irrigation systems, bubblers, watering cans, secondary irrigation water, and private well water.
City Manager Michael Black stated that drought conditions continue to affect Moab, noting that water is scarce even in average precipitation years. He added that watering during cooler evening and morning hours reduces evaporation and helps the city use limited water resources more efficiently.
Moab is one of Utah's driest communities, receiving an average of approximately 9.5 inches of precipitation annually. The city's drinking water is sourced from wells and springs supplied by an aquifer that relies on snowmelt and rainfall from the La Sal Mountains for recharge.
Mayor Joette Langianese said the ordinance is a practical step to help the community use water more efficiently while maintaining healthy landscapes. She noted that conservation is a shared responsibility that helps protect Moab's water supply for future generations.
City staff will begin sharing information and reminders throughout August to assist customers with the transition. Additional information and water conservation resources will be available through the City of Moab as the implementation date approaches.
