Lehi residents have cut irrigation water use by 18% through the midpoint of the 2026 pressurized irrigation season, saving 382 million gallons.
Matt Dalton, Lehi City water operations supervisor, reported the results on Wednesday, July 15, the midpoint of the April 15-to-October 15 irrigation cycle. Residents are saving roughly 50 million gallons per week since watering began May 15, under Phase Two conservation rules that limit watering to two days a week with at least 48 hours between cycles.
"I was really scared going into this year," Dalton told the Lehi Free Press. "But we are seeing 50 million gallons of water saved every week by residents, and it's making a huge difference."
The city activated Phase Two in April, weeks before irrigation water was turned on, after record-low snowpack and record March heat left Lehi expecting only 50% of its normal irrigation water supply. Dalton warned in April that the city needed at least a 30% reduction to make it through October. The early move also delayed the start of residential watering to May 15, a month later than the typical April 15 turn-on date.
Who cut back
The restrictions apply across the board. Commercial properties, religious institutions, and Lehi's own parks and recreation department all reduced watering. Dalton said early rainstorms helped, and that residents responded by shutting off sprinkler timers during those storms rather than letting systems run on schedule.
The visible toll is hard to miss. Brown spots dot lawns across the city.
How 2026 compares
Direct comparison to past years is difficult. In 2020, Lehi achieved a 22% reduction over the full irrigation season. The 18% figure reported July 15 covers only the first half of 2026, so the final number could climb or fall depending on summer heat and monsoon rainfall. In 2021 and 2022, Phase Two measures produced a 30% full-season reduction, according to the city.
Phase Three threat eases, but summer heat looms
Dalton said the threat of escalating to Phase Three has decreased. Phase Three would cut watering to one day per week and make all voluntary restrictions mandatory. In April, Dalton had warned that Phase Three was a real possibility for 2026.
But the hottest stretch of summer still lies ahead, and Dalton cautioned that monsoon storms are needed to keep the city on track.
"We aren't out of the woods yet," he said. "A lot can happen between now and the end of the cycle."
The Lehi City Council received a water conservation update during its Tuesday, July 14 pre-council session. The irrigation season runs through Thursday, October 15.
