When You Can Start Watering Your Lawn in Twin Falls in 2024

When You Can Start Watering Your Lawn in Twin Falls

As Southern Idaho and the greater Twin Falls area is heading into a weekend of nice weather, thoughts automatically turn to yard upkeep. If you are a Twin Falls resident, you can technically begin watering whenever you want, but the source of your irrigation water and its availability will vary depending on what neighborhood you live in.

Subdivisions on City Water Water Supply:

If you live in an older neighborhood, it’s most likely your irrigation system runs on the city water supply. If that’s the case, you can turn on your sprinkler system and start watering whenever you wish. Just don't do it too soon. You risk breaking your sprinkler lines if you introduce water into your system while overnight temperatures are still dipping below freezing.

Subdivisions That Run on Pressurized Irrigation:

Twin Falls subdivisions established about 15 years ago or newer, run on a pressurized irrigation system. This method uses water that’s taken from canals that lead to retention ponds located near the neighborhoods. The water from those ponds is then sent out to pump stations, which pressurize it so that it can be delivered to homes.

If you live in a neighborhood that is supplied by a retention pond, you have to wait until the Twin Falls Canal Company clears and charges the pressurized irrigation stations.

Twin Falls Water Turn-On Date Announced for 2024

Pressurized irrigation water turn-on dates vary from year to year as it is determined by several factors including the amount of water that will be available for the 2024 season. The City of Twin Falls has announced that Twin Falls residents will begin receiving water from the Twin Falls Canal Company on April 17, 2024. Once the water is flowing, crews will clear out and charge pressurized irrigation stations over the following two weeks with all neighborhoods expected to be up and running by May 1, 2024.

You can check your neighborhood status on the City of Twin Falls website. 

What if you want to water before pressurized irrigation is turned on?

While you won't be able to irrigate with your pressurized system before the system is charged and turned on, you can irrigate your lawn using your outside spigot any time you like. When and if you do decide to irrigate from the city water supply, you should abide by irrigation watering days, listed below.

Things to do when you turn on your water

The city of Twin Falls recommends that you check sprinkler lines for breaks when you turn your system on. Spotting and repairing breaks in sprinkler lines will prevent the overuse of water.  Residents on pressurized irrigation systems are also encouraged to water during off-peak times. When too much demand is placed on the system, it will shut down to prevent damage to the pumps. 

Important: Do not drink water that comes from a pressurized irrigation system

The water that comes from a pressurized irrigation system is your run-of-the-mill canal water. It’s just fine for watering your grass but it is not meant for human consumption.

What days of the week can you water in Twin Falls?

Watering schedules in Twin Falls are a little different depending on whether you use city water or pressurized irrigation:

Here are the schedules for watering taken from the City of Twin Falls website:

For pressurized irrigation users:

• Even-numbered addresses ending in 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 water on even-numbered calendar days.
• Odd-numbered addresses ending in 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 water on odd-numbered calendar days.

You may water at any time during the 24 hours of your day.

For city water users: 

• Even-numbered addresses ending in 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 water on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
• Odd-numbered addresses ending in 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 water on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.

Watering with city water will only be allowed on appropriate days before 10:00 am or after 5:00 pm.

If you have more questions about lawn irrigation in Twin Falls, you can find more information on the city of Twin Falls website. 

Will there be water restrictions put into place in 2024?

In previous years, Twin Falls Canal Company has had to cut back water shares in efforts to conserve water. It’s unknown whether those measures will need to be taken again in 2024.