The Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority enforces a year-round outdoor watering schedule with stricter limits during declared drought stages, restricting days, hours, and methods for lawn irrigation under the Water Conservation Ordinance.
ABCWUA's Water Conservation Ordinance assigns watering days by address with no irrigation between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. April through October. Drought Stage 1, 2, or 3 declarations can shorten watering windows further. The Authority responds to Rio Grande snowpack, reservoir levels, and aquifer health. Hand-watering of trees and gardens is generally allowed. Misters, drip irrigation, and rainwater harvesting are encouraged. Inspectors patrol high-use periods and respond to neighbor reports.
First offense triggers a written warning. Repeat violations carry escalating administrative fines from $20 up to $500, and chronic violators may face reduced service or surcharge billing.
Albuquerque, NM
ABCWUA offers cash rebates per square foot for replacing high-water turf grass with xeriscape, native plants, or permeable hardscape, supporting Albuquerque'...
Albuquerque, NM
Albuquerque ROA §6-1-1-8 — water budgets and planting restrictions enforced by ABCWUA. No more than 10% of required landscape can be cool-season grass. Irrig...
See how Albuquerque's lawn watering restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.