Spring in Las Vegas means one thing for your yard: it’s time to get your irrigation system dialed in before triple-digit heat arrives. The SNWA’s spring watering schedule kicked in on March 1, allowing irrigation three days per week based on your address. If you haven’t touched your timer since winter, now’s the time.
Here’s a practical checklist you can walk through this weekend to make sure your system is ready.
Your controller should now be set to water three days per week on your assigned schedule. If you’re not sure which days apply to your address, check the SNWA watering schedule.
We also recommend programming your timer to use the cycle-and-soak method: instead of one long watering session, split each zone into two or three shorter cycles with 30-60 minutes between them. This helps the water absorb into our desert soil instead of running off into the gutter.
Turn on each zone manually and walk the yard while it runs. You’re looking for:
Even one broken head can waste thousands of gallons over a season – and that shows up on your water bill fast.
Drip systems are great for desert landscaping, but they need attention after sitting through winter. Here’s what to check:
Your irrigation valves control water flow to each zone. If a valve is leaking or stuck, you might notice zones that won’t turn off, low pressure in certain areas, or water bubbling up around the valve box.
Also take a look at your backflow preventer. This device keeps irrigation water from flowing back into your home’s drinking water supply. It’s required by code in Las Vegas and should be tested annually. If it’s leaking, corroded, or damaged, have it repaired or replaced before the heavy watering season starts.
Here’s a quick trick most homeowners don’t know about:
1. Turn off all water inside and outside your home.
2. Go to your water meter and note the reading.
3. Wait 30 minutes without using any water.
4. Check the meter again. If the reading changed, you likely have a leak somewhere – possibly in your irrigation lines.
Underground irrigation leaks can go unnoticed for months and waste a huge amount of water. If your meter shows movement, give us a call and we’ll track it down.
Spring is the best time to make upgrades before summer demand hits. A few things worth considering:
| Season | Dates | Allowed Days | Watering Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | Nov 1 – Feb 28 | 1 day/week | 11 AM – 7 PM |
| Spring | Mar 1 – Apr 30 | 3 days/week | 7 PM – 11 AM |
| Summer | May 1 – Aug 31 | 6 days/week | 7 PM – 11 AM |
| Fall | Sep 1 – Oct 31 | 3 days/week | 7 PM – 11 AM |
Source: Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA)
If anything on this checklist seems off – or if you’d rather have a pro handle it – contact Irrigation Solutions of Las Vegas. We’re a licensed SNWA Water Smart Contractor and we’ve been repairing and installing irrigation systems across the valley since 2009.
Call or text us: 702.370.2828
We service Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, Summerlin, and surrounding areas.
If you live in the Las Vegas valley and want to know when to Change Your Irrigation Controller, keep reading.
Irrigation Solutions of Las Vegas is here to serve our community, and we want to help serve by providing information on how to keep your sprinkler system in compliance with the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) watering schedule. By following their schedule, you can avoid paying unwanted and unnecessary fees or dealing with violations.
Every zip code is assigned a watering group. To locate your watering schedule, you will need to know the letter of your watering group. This can be identified by going to the SNWA water schedule website and enter your home address and zip code or you can locate it on your monthly statement. If you are not in the Las Vegas area, for example Henderson, North Las Vegas or Boulder City, it will direct you to those respective sites, but for those residents in the city of Las Vegas or county, enter your home address and zip code and click “Submit”. The next page will display the following info:
In Las Vegas, the seasons can blend into each other and it may be difficult to know when to change your sprinkler or irrigation system based on the temperature. Below is a quick list of the start dates to change your controller for the seasons. Also, you can set these dates in your calendar as a reminder to change your controller accordingly.
