Albuquerque water authority urges two-day sprinkler limit for fall

The Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority is asking local residents to reduce sprinkler irrigation to two days a week with cooler months approaching. The recommendation comes through the authority’s voluntary “Water by the Numbers” program.

“Cooler nights and shorter days mean less irrigation is required to keep lawns healthy,” said Barbara Baca, chair of the water authority’s governing board. “Ramping down our use now will help to ensure that the community meets its annual conservation goal.”

Overall water use this year is up about 4% from last year, according to water authority staff. The staff attributed the rise to drier weather and warmer temperatures.

August rainfall measured 3.48 inches, compared to 4.09 inches the previous year, the water authority said. Normal rainfall is 5.68 inches. This August was about two to three degrees warmer than last August.

Usage through August totaled 54,481 acre-feet, or about 18 billion gallons, the water authority said in a Monday news release. That translates to 125 gallons per person per day.

The annual conservation goal for daily usage, set in the water authority’s long-term resource management plan, WATER 2120, is 131 gallons per capita per day, according to the release. Water Authority staff said usage remains on track to meet or exceed the 2026 annual conservation goal.

Residents can learn about “Water by the Numbers” online.