Lehi City water restrictions are now in effect at Phase II for the 2026 season — and city officials are warning this could be one of the most serious drought years in Lehi's recent history. If you live here, or you're thinking about buying in Lehi, here's a complete breakdown of what the restrictions mean, why they're happening, what could change, and the question everyone's asking: what about the splash pads?
Why Lehi Is in Phase II Water Conservation in 2026
The driver behind these restrictions is Utah's snowpack — and the news is not good.
Utah's snowpack peaked on March 9, 2026 at just 2.7 inches of snow water equivalent — the lowest April 1 snowpack ever recorded in the state dating back to 1930, and roughly half of what the state normally sees. Due to record-low snowpack and record-high temperatures, peak runoff has already come and gone weeks ahead of schedule. Statewide streamflow runoff is anticipated to be around 50% of normal, and as of late April, 100% of Utah was in some form of drought.
For Lehi specifically, Matt Dalton, operations supervisor for Lehi Water, put it plainly: "We are expecting 50 percent of our normal irrigation allotment of water. Not culinary water, but irrigation water." He added: "I think we are looking at the need to conserve at least 30 percent or more this year to meet our city's needs."
Dalton, who has worked for Lehi City for 22 years, said this year makes him more nervous than most. "Nineteen of those years we've been in a drought of some kind. 2005, 2011 and 2023 were all great water years. The others have all been dry. But this year makes me more nervous than other drought years, so we all need to conserve."
Lehi Phase II Water Restrictions: Exactly What's Allowed and What Isn't
Phase II means everyone — residential, commercial, and city-owned properties — is only allowed to water every two days, with at least 48 hours between irrigation cycles.
Here's a clear breakdown of the rules:
- Watering schedule: Every other day maximum, with at least 48 hours between cycles
- Hard surface washing: Absolutely prohibited — no pressure washing driveways, no spraying off patios or sidewalks
- Culinary water: Not affected — these restrictions apply to irrigation water only
- Watering timing: Even if you can water, the city is asking residents to hold off and water only when actually needed. The state's lawn watering guide at conservewater.ut.gov shows day-by-day recommendations based on temperature and precipitation
- Early irrigation: The city asked residents to hold off on any irrigation until May 1, even though the irrigation season technically started April 15
Dalton was direct about the temptation to water just because you're allowed to: "The tricky part of phase two is we don't want residents to start irrigating two days a week just because they can. There isn't a need now, so please conserve."
Violations and Fines
Lehi City can — and will — enforce the restrictions. The enforcement process works in tiers:
- First violation: Written notice delivered to your door
- Second violation: Fine up to $100 (can be waived by attending a water conservation seminar)
- Third violation: Fine up to $500
Enforcement is complaint-driven as well as proactive. If you see a neighbor repeatedly violating the restrictions, you can report it to the city.
What About Lehi's Splash Pads?
This is the question parents across Lehi are asking right now — and the honest answer is: Lehi has not announced splash pad closures as of early May 2026, but it's a situation worth watching closely.
Under Phase II, city-owned properties follow the same restrictions as everyone else. That means city landscaping and irrigation are being cut back. Splash pads are a separate question — most modern splash pads, including Lehi's, use recirculating water systems that filter and reuse water rather than sending it to a drain. That makes them significantly more water-efficient than they appear, and less likely to be targeted for closure under Phase II.
However, cities in other parts of the country are already closing splash pads due to drought in 2026, and Utah has seen it before. During the severe drought year of 2022, Riverdale, Utah closed its splash pad entirely. South Jordan was actively evaluating limiting splash pad hours or delaying opening as drought conditions worsened.
What to watch: If Lehi escalates to Phase III restrictions — which Dalton said is possible depending on how irrigation water supplies hold up — splash pad operations would almost certainly come under review. Phase III would cut irrigation watering to one day a week and make all voluntary restrictions mandatory.
For now, Lehi's splash pads — including the popular aviation-themed splash pad at Family Park and Ivory Ridge Splash Pad — are expected to open for the summer season as normal. Check the Lehi City website and their social media channels for any updates as the season progresses. This situation is evolving and the city will communicate changes quickly if they come.
Could Lehi Move to Phase III?
Yes — and city officials are not being quiet about it. Dalton said: "We may have to implement phase three depending on the real water supply. We will monitor how the irrigation companies perform and how our stored water holds out, but this really could be the year that we have to implement phase three; we just don't know yet."
Phase III would be the most restrictive Lehi has ever implemented, limiting outdoor irrigation to just one day per week. It would also make all currently voluntary Phase II measures legally enforceable with fines.
The city will be monitoring irrigation company performance and stored water levels throughout May and June before making any decisions about escalation.
What's Coming: New Water Meters in Lehi
One silver lining in all of this is that Lehi has been proactive about long-term water management. The city is in the middle of a $14.3 million project to install 5,700 secondary water meters — a project that began in 2022 and is expected to be complete by December 2026.
Cities with secondary meters in place have cited 20–30% water savings. The meters will also help city officials detect leaks and notify residents via text or email. Currently, the city has to knock on doors or leave door hangers to notify residents of leaks.
"Soon, residents will be able to log into a portal and see their water usage," said David Norman, Lehi's public works director. That transparency will help residents self-monitor — and when tiered pricing kicks in, higher water users will pay more, creating a built-in conservation incentive.
What This Means If You're Buying a Home in Lehi
Water access and water costs are increasingly important factors in Utah County real estate — and 2026 is making that crystal clear. For buyers evaluating homes in Lehi this summer, a few things worth keeping in mind:
- New construction homes often come with large unfinished yards that will need significant irrigation to establish. In a drought year with Phase II restrictions, plan carefully for timing and water budgets.
- HOAs in some Lehi communities require yards to be finished within a set timeframe. Coordinate with your HOA about drought exceptions if you're planning new landscaping.
- The new water meter system will eventually bring tiered pricing — meaning heavy water users will pay more. Homes with large lots and extensive turf may see higher utility bills going forward.
- Water-wise landscaping (Localscapes, xeriscape, drought-tolerant native plants) is worth considering seriously. Utah law (SB 152, 2022) prohibits HOAs from penalizing homeowners for replacing turf with water-wise landscaping.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Lehi's current water restrictions in 2026? Lehi is in Phase II water conservation. Residents, businesses, and city properties can only water every other day with at least 48 hours between irrigation cycles. Hard surface washing like pressure washing driveways is prohibited.
Are Lehi's splash pads open in 2026? As of early May 2026, Lehi has not announced splash pad closures. Most of Lehi's splash pads use recirculating water systems, making them more water-efficient. However, if Lehi escalates to Phase III restrictions, splash pad operations could be reviewed. Check lehi-ut.gov for the latest updates.
Why is Lehi in a water shortage in 2026? Utah experienced its lowest snowpack on record in 2026, with only 2.7 inches of snow water equivalent at peak — roughly half of normal. Lehi's irrigation water supply is expected to be only 50% of a normal year.
What happens if Lehi goes to Phase III water restrictions? Phase III would limit outdoor irrigation to one day per week maximum and make all currently voluntary restrictions mandatory with enforced fines. The city has said Phase III is possible in 2026 depending on how irrigation supplies hold up.
Can I be fined for watering too much in Lehi? Yes. First violations result in a written notice. Second violations carry a fine up to $100. Third violations carry a fine up to $500.
Does the drought affect drinking water in Lehi? No. The Phase II restrictions apply only to irrigation (secondary) water. Culinary (drinking) water is not currently restricted.