Lincoln, NE Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)

Water Management Plan (Revised 5/94, 4/00, 5/01, 3/12/03, 4/22/13, 8/21/15, 5/4/22). I. Introduction - A. Declaration of Purpose of Plan: The City of Lincoln first adopted the Water Management Plan in 1994 to provide guidance for imposing water conservation. The purpose of this Plan is to: (1) keep water use within pumping capacity and delivery capability, based on recommendations of the Lincoln Water System, (2) define procedures to be used when the above criteria cannot be met, and (3) familiarize citizens, businesses and industry with procedures which may be implemented when voluntary or mandatory water conservation are required. [...] II. Causes for Conservation - A. Drought: If drought conditions cause a reduction in Platte River flows to the extent that water demands within the Lincoln Water System service area begin to deplete the volume of water available in the well field, City may consider enacting voluntary or mandatory conservation targeted primarily at reducing irrigation of turf and other high use outdoor watering activities. [...] Any such conservation would be enacted pursuant to Lincoln Municipal Code Chapter 17.26 and enforced pursuant to applicable code provisions. [...] III. Drought Water Conservation Phases: Phase 1: Moderate Shortage Voluntary Designated Day; Phase 2: Severe Shortage Mandatory Designated Day; Phase 3: Critical Shortage Limited Outdoor Water Use. Phase 1: Moderate Shortage: Voluntary Designated Day. Signals: 3,000-1,500 cfs river flow; greater than 85 MGD water use. Possible Action: Voluntary three (3) designated days. [...] Outdoor water use at residential properties with odd addresses - Single or two family dwellings with street address ending in odd number (1,3,5,7,9): Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday. Outdoor water use at residential properties with even addresses - Single or two family dwellings with street address ending in even number (0,2,4,6,8): Sunday, Wednesday, Friday.