Lawn Watering

To encourage water conservation, maintain adequate water pressure, and ensure fire-fighting reserves, Inver Grove Heights asks you to restrict both the day and time that you water your lawn. Well established lawns only need one inch of rain and irrigation combined per week.

Use of Irrigation Systems and Sprinklers

The City will impose emergency watering restrictions when a shortage of water threatens the City water supply capabilities. When watering restrictions are not imposed, the City recommends the following watering practices:

  • Watering before noon and after 5 p.m., following an odd/even schedule. An odd/even schedule means that properties with addresses ending in an even number should limit watering of lawns to even-numbered calendar days, and addresses ending in an odd number should limit watering lawns to odd-numbered calendar days.
  • Please note: These suggested practices do not apply to the watering of lawns and landscaping for the first 30 days after sodding, seeding, or planting. After 30 days, it is then suggested to adjust your irrigation schedule to the watering guidelines listed above.

Support Water Conservation

Implementing the following lawn practices will support water conversation even further. Learn more about sustainable lawns here.

  • Water before the heat of the day, typically between 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. on the odd/even schedule.
  • Use a smart irrigation system with soil moisture detection.
  • Ensure irrigation systems are directed to lawn or garden areas and not to paved surfaces such as driveways, sidewalks, or roads.
  • Landscape your lawn with a variety of low-maintenance turf species such as a mixture of fine fescues or turf-type tall fescues, or pollinator friendly ground cover.

Other Water Uses

  • Residents may wash vehicles and hand-water shrubs, flowers, and trees with a hose on any day and at any time.
  • Recreational uses, such as children running through a sprinkler, are also exempted.

Non-City Water Customers

Emergency imposed watering restrictions do not apply to properties who use sources of water other than the city water system, such as private wells.