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Moab council enacts daytime watering limits, emphasizes education and exemptions
Summary
Council replaced section 13.20.030 to restrict above‑ground culinary‑water irrigation during daytime hours (motion set revised window 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.), limited to city culinary water only; staff will mail outreach postcards and take an education‑first approach before enforcement.
After extended discussion about scope, jurisdiction and practical timing for residents without automatic irrigation systems, the council voted 5–0 to replace the municipal code section that governs city culinary water use and add a daytime watering restriction. The ordinance targets above‑ground irrigation (pop‑up spray heads, rotor and impact sprinklers) supplied by the city’s culinary water system; irrigation companies and privately‑owned well systems are outside the city’s jurisdiction. The council revised the restricted window to 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. to ease practical compliance for households that rely on manual watering.
City Attorney Nathan explained the legal fit: "this section shall apply to the control of all water uses and operations that the city provides through water work systems or water rights the city owns and operates or otherwise controls," and staff said they will emphasize outreach and voluntary compliance in the coming months, including a mailed postcard and on‑site compliance officers providing warnings before fines. Council also declined to move forward with a separate resolution declaring a Stage‑3 water shortage at this time because staff said current supply met demand.
