The Water Conservation Program administers the Water Conservation Ordinance. We receive reports of water waste on the program hotline, 575-528-4444, and via Ask Las Cruces, issue variances, and report water conservation efforts and water use to the Office of the State Engineer. We also offer information to help reduce indoor and outdoor water usage.
Contact Rhonda Diaz, Water Conservation Program Coordinator, for more information at 575-528-3549, or email [email protected].
Watering Restrictions
- Mondays – no outdoor watering
- Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays – outdoor watering for even-numbered addresses (ending in 0, 2, 4, 6, 8)
- Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays – outdoor watering for odd-numbered addresses (ending in 1, 3, 5, 7, 9)
Note: Between April 1 and September 30 outdoor watering is only allowed before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m
Request a variance to the ordinance, or for help reducing your water usage, contact Rhonda Diaz, Water Conservation Program Coordinator, at 575-528-3549 or email: [email protected] or [email protected].
Purpose
The purpose of the Lush and Lean program is to help residents of Las Cruces make the best use of the limited water resources available by developing and maintaining gardens and landscapes that are also water-wise. Each year the Water Conservation Program hosts a series of workshops on water-wise landscaping, irrigation, gardening, and related topics. The workshops are free and open to the public.
FALL WORKSHOPS
Lush and Lean Workshops are Presented at Branigan Memorial Library Roadrunner Room, 200 E. Picacho Avenue. They take place from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays. All workshops are free.
October 3, 2024
Common Plant Diseases and Disorders in New Mexico
Presented by Phillip Lujan, Ph.D., Extension Plant Pathologist, Manager of Plant Diagnostic Clinic, NMSU.
Learn how plants get diseases, common ones we find in our area, and strategies to prevent or manage them. Learn how to utilize the NMSU Plant Diagnostic Clinic. Attendees are welcome to bring samples for diagnosis IF time allows.
October 10, 2024
Weeds: Best Practices for Fall/Winter
Presented by Leslie Beck, Ph.D., Extension Weed Specialist, NMSU.
By identifying a plant, we can use its biology to target weed control strategies that are sustainable and successful with less effort, and select tools and application timings for better weed management practices. Attendees are welcome to bring samples for identification IF time allows.
October 17, 2024
Coverage: Rethink the Ground
Presented by David Cristiani, owner of Quercus, landscape design consultation firm.
Create an appealing and functional garden for our arid region by choosing better options than gravelscaping and turfgrass.
October 24, 2024
Plan Now for Spring Greens & Wildflowers
Presented by Jackye Meinecke, former owner of Enchanted Gardens, local lecturer and author.
Fall is an excellent time to start a variety of herbs and cooking greens to enjoy during the chilly months and into spring, and sow wildflowers to bloom after winter.
November 7, 2024
Cacti and Other Succulents for Your Garden
Presented by Gertrud Konings, Ph.D., retired biology professor, coauthor of “Cacti of Texas in Their Natural Habitat”
Learn what makes our local cacti and succulents appreciated worldwide! Tips about care and propagation will be provided and suggestions on how you can get involved in rescuing these precious natives that are part of our Chihuahuan Desert.
SPRING 2025 WORKSHOPS
(Tentative Schedule)
March 13, 2025
Strategies for Successful Vegetable Gardening in Southern New Mexico
Presented by: Stephanie Walker, Ph.D., Extension Vegetable Specialist, NMSU
With our hot summers and low precipitation, growing vegetables in southern New Mexico can be challenging. This presentation will provide strategies and recommendations to cultivate a thriving harvest.
March 20, 2025
Making Soil Work for You
Presented by: Bill Lindemann, Ph.D., Professor of Soil Microbiology, NMSU
Soil is a natural resource. Types of soil vary greatly depending on where you live in our area. What type of soil is in your yard? How can it be improved? We’ll cover resources for compost and mulch for your garden and landscape to be its best — from the ground up!
March 27, 2025
What to Know Before Planting Fruit and Nut Trees in Southern New Mexico
Presented by: Richard Heerema, Ph.D., Extension Pecan Specialist, NMSU
We’ll discuss the joys and challenges of growing fruit in our desert. Tree species and variety selection, horticultural practices, irrigation, pruning and pest management will be covered.
April 3, 2025
Shade Tree Basics
Presented by: John M. White, former curator of UTEP Chihuahuan Desert Gardens, retired extension horticulture agent, ISA Certified Arborist
People mistakenly believe trees use a lot of water but their benefits far outweigh as shade-makers, air-cleaners and habitat-providers. We’ll cover site selection, tree choice, planting techniques, proper watering practices, fertilizer basics and tips to keep your trees healthy for the future.
April 10, 2025
Rainwater Harvesting: “Is it Worth it?”
Presented by: Jeff Anderson, Extension Agronomy and Horticulture Agent, NMSU
This presentation will explore practical methods for harvesting rainwater and calculating how much can be collected from your roof or other surfaces. Learn how to use this free pure resource effectively to enhance the health and vitality of your plants, even during droughts.
April 17, 2025
Xeriscape Not “Zero-scape”
Presented by: David Cristiani, owner of Quercus, landscape design consultation firm
Change over your blandscape of gravel or bare soil to designing an outdoor living space you’ll enjoy all year! Learn how to have a great garden that does more for less as a do-it-yourself project or to be more informed when hiring a professional.
April 24, 2025
Pruning Workshop
Presented by: Les Finley, Longtime Local Horticulturist, Nurseryman, ISA Certified Arborist
Homeowners will learn how to correctly prune their trees and shrubs for sustainability and long-term survival. This is a hands-on pruning workshop held outside at Albert Johnson Park in front of Branigan Library. Dress for the activity. This workshop will begin in the Roadrunner Room.
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Each year the Water Conservation Program hosts a day-long water festival for grade school children. Last year’s theme (2023) was “Don’t Let Water go Extinct.”
Last year’s event took place May 3, 2023 and featured informative exhibits and hands-on activities about hydrology, cultural uses of water, local geography, and environmental impacts.
Events
Hundreds of fourth grade students, teachers and chaperones from elementary schools attend the festival. Eager learners were greeted with a welcome packet that included a Water Festival Passport. The kids fill out the passports as they visited a variety of presentations at booths staffed by local organizations and agencies. Every booth provided fun, hands-on activities about different aspects of water resources.
The kids had a blast while learning about water and the environment.
Photo Galleries
The Las Cruces Utilities Demonstration Garden showcases a wide variety of low-water and desert-adapted plants suitable for cultivation in our area.
For further information & planting ideas, download our Demonstration Garden Guide (PDF)
Documents:
- Climate Based Coefficients for Scheduling Irrigations in Urban Xeriscapes (PDF)
- Guide to Estimating Irrigation Water Needs of Landscape Plantings in California (PDF)
- Water Use Classification of Landscape Species (WUCOLS) Instructions (PDF)
- WUCOLS 4 Plant Information Database (XLS)
Quick Links:
- Environmental Protection Agency Water Kids Website: You can find projects, art, and experiments that involve kids and students with environmental protection.
- Environmental Protection Agency WaterSense Website: A fun and educational website for kids, teachers and adults who want to learn about water and how to protect it.
- Project Wet Website: Project Wet Is a worldwide non-profit organization that dedicates itself to providing water education to children, parents, teachers, and community members of the world. Las Cruces Utilities is now a Project Wet Coordinator. Call 575-528-3549 to set up Project Wet Activities for your grades.
- Play The Tip Tank Game: Requires Adobe Flash – Fun interactive games that teach kids how to save water. Learn More At The Water Use-It-Wisely Website.
- Alliance for Water Efficiency
A non-profit organization dedicated to the efficient and sustainable use of water. - American Water Works Association
A scientific and educational association dedicated to managing and treating water. - Environmental Protection Agency WaterSense Program
Save water and protect the environment by choosing WaterSense labeled products in your home and business and taking simple steps to save water each day. - National Geographic Water Conservation Reference
Provides information on water conservation to help save the world. - New Mexico Water Conservation Alliance
A non-profit organization of New Mexicans dedicated to water conservation issues. - Plants for a Future
Charitable company that provides information on edible and otherwise useful plants suitable for growing outdoors in a temperate climate.
American Water Works Association Audit
New Mexico Office of the State Engineer – Gallons Per Capita Per Day
- 2020 NMOSE GPCD Report
- 2019 NMOSE GPCD Report
- 2018 NMOSE GPCD Report
- 2017 NMOSE GPCD Report
- 2016 NMOSE GPCD Report
Las Cruces Utilities 2017 40-Year Water Plan
- 2017 40-Year Water Plan
- 2017 40-Year Water Plan Appendices A through G
- 2017 40-Year Water Plan Appendices H through L
- 2017 40-Year Water Plan Appendices M through Q
Additional City Documents
There are two basic ways to conserve water:
- Cultivate water-wise habits
- Install low-flow infrastructure
Quick Links
- National Geographic: Water Conservation Tips
- Don’t Waste a Drop; Finding, Fixing and Preventing Indoor Water Leaks (PDF)
- A Waterwise Guide to Clothes Washers (PDF)
- A Waterwise Guide to Evaporative Coolers (PDF)
- A Waterwise Guide to Ultra Low-Flow Toilets (PDF)
Water Efficiency Evaluation
View Our Water Efficiency Evaluation (PDF) – This is a checklist for evaluating water use inside and outside a home. Identify areas where additional water savings can be found. Intended for use by professional home inspectors, this checklist can also be used by “handy” home owners. Or, if you are about to purchase a property, ask your building inspector to conduct this inspection, too.
Additional Resources
The New Mexico Office of the State Engineer / Interstate Stream Commission Website provides many other valuable materials on water conservation.
About 33% of all residential water use in Las Cruces is for outdoor purposes.
Quick Links
- Enchanted Xeriscape (PDF)
- Irrigation Basics (PDF)
- Lean and Green (PDF)
- New Mexico Graywater Guide (PDF)
- Using Graywater in New Mexico Residential Landscape (PDF)
- A Waterwise Guide to Trees (PDF)
- Xeriscape 101 (PDF)
Documents
- Reducing Outdoor Water Use (PDF)
- Water Conservation Regulations (PDF)
- Water Efficiency Evaluation (PDF)
The New Mexico Office of the State Engineer / Interstate Stream Commission Website provides many other valuable materials on water conservation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Las Cruces Utilities plans 40 years in advance, continuing to develop and maintain a sustainable water supply through a proactive conservation program using ground water from two possible sources: Mesilla Basin and Jornada del Muerto.
Las Cruces Utilities is a permitted water system allowed only a limited amount of water from the two aquifers. That’s why it’s so important to save water. Every community is faced with planning for future water use… and conservation is a critical part of our water plan now and in the future. It is vital that we do everything we can to decrease our water consumption. Las Cruces Utilities encourages plumbing fixture retrofits, water saving landscapes, and improved habits to decrease our everyday water use.
It is legal to harvest rainwater from your residence in New Mexico and in Las Cruces. There are a variety of ways to do this, from capturing water in depressions on the ground, called swales, to capturing water from the roof in a barrel or tank.
