Drought restrictions in 2026: beyond watering days

By early July, 47.2% of the land area in the Lower 48 states was experiencing moderate drought or worse, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Conditions varied considerably by region, but for contractors, the effects were increasingly familiar: stressed landscapes, concerned customers and a growing patchwork of local water-use restrictions.

Drought restrictions are not new. What stood out this summer, however, was their reach and operational detail. In many places, officials moved beyond broad conservation messaging and simple rules for watering days and hours to regulating how water is applied, what is being watered and which sources are covered.

Durham, North Carolina, for example, prohibited outdoor spray irrigation with city water under Stage 2 restrictions while continuing to allow drip irrigation, hand watering, and watering bags for trees and shrubs. Nearby Raleigh considered stronger limits as Falls Lake declined and summer demand rose. In the Southwest, San Antonio’s drought framework distinguishes irrigation-system watering from drip irrigation. Other communities have created different rules for lawns, new plantings, athletic fields, trees, shrubs, reclaimed water and private wells.

Increasingly complex rules place a greater burden on contractors, utility staff and customers to understand what is permitted. A short public notice might not answer the field-level questions that arise when a crew arrives at a property.

Clear guidance and knowledgeable professionals become especially important when restrictions change quickly or differ across neighboring service areas. It’s the nuances and technical details of the restrictions that often end up determining what can and can’t be done. A restriction may address runoff, overspray, broken heads, watering during rain, controller settings or system testing. It may allow an establishment period but require advance approval. It may exempt drip irrigation but define it narrowly. For contractors, misunderstanding one provision can mean a frustrated customer, a delayed project or a system that cannot be properly maintained.

“Professionals who understand the rules can help customers comply while protecting valuable landscapes and identifying practical efficiency improvements.”

This trend creates both challenges and opportunities. Contractors are often the first people customers call when restrictions change or when landscapes begin to show stress. Professionals who understand the rules can help customers comply while protecting valuable landscapes and identifying practical efficiency improvements.

The first step is to learn who is responsible for drought restrictions in your area. Authority may rest with a city, county, water utility, regional water district or state agency. Find the official source, sign up for alerts and understand not only the watering schedule, but also the exceptions, definitions and enforcement provisions.

Second, consider introducing yourself to your water utility before the next drought emergency. Explain the services you provide and how efficient design, audits, repairs, pressure regulation, smart controls, drip irrigation and professional maintenance can reduce waste. Utilities might not always understand how irrigation systems operate in the field. Contractors can provide that practical perspective and help officials craft rules that save water without creating avoidable problems.

Finally, tell the Irrigation Association how drought restrictions are affecting your business and customers. We want to hear what is working, what is confusing and where rules may be producing unintended consequences. Share your experiences and insights at advocacy@irrigation.org.

The IA is considering ways to be more proactive, including through research, white papers and case studies on effective drought response. The goal should not be simply to stop watering. It should be to save water, meet customer and community needs, preserve the benefits of healthy landscapes, and harness the creativity and passion of our industry.

Drought will continue to test communities. Better communication among contractors, customers and water providers can help turn restrictions from a blunt instrument into a smarter water-management strategy.

Andrew D. Morris is director, policy and technical affairs, at the Irrigation Association. He can be reached at andrewmorris@irrigation.org.