Eugene Water Restrictions 2026
Lane County · Oregon
Published:
Restrictions Active - Conservation Season Mandatory - Annual June–September
2
Days/Week
Before 10:00 AM
Allowed Hours
$75 first · $150 second
Max Fine
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| Address Ending | Watering Day |
|---|---|
| Odd | Monday & Thursday |
| Even | Tuesday & Friday |
Allowed Watering Hours
No outdoor irrigation between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM from June 1 through September 30. Mandatory restriction, EWEB's permanent Conservation Season framework.
Still Allowed
💧 Hand Watering
Allowed with shut-off nozzle. Hours: Any day with a shut-off nozzle.
🌿 Drip Irrigation
Exempt from day-of-week limits. Must follow allowed hours.
Fines & Enforcement
$75 first · $150 second
EWEB's Water Efficiency team issues a written warning on first detection, then $75 for second offense and $150 for third within 12 months. Commercial properties face up to $500. Enforcement is primarily complaint-driven plus targeted neighborhood patrol during Conservation Season.
Citations begin June 1, 2026 (annual seasonal)🏠 HOA Rules During Restrictions
Oregon Revised Statute 94.783 prohibits HOAs from enforcing lawn appearance standards during a declared water shortage. EWEB's annual Conservation Season qualifies as the declaration trigger.
If your homeowners association sends a violation notice for a dormant or brown lawn during the current restriction period, respond in writing citing the applicable law and include a copy of the current restriction order from Eugene Water & Electric Board. Most HOAs will rescind the notice once they are made aware of the legal protections in place. If the issue persists, contact your county’s code enforcement division for assistance.
Why These Restrictions Exist
EWEB sources its water from the McKenzie River watershed. Summer low-flow periods trigger automatic Conservation Season restrictions from June 1 through September 30. EWEB's Leaburg reservoir requires demand-side conservation during July-August peak periods to maintain fish flows and downstream water rights. The 2025-2026 Cascade snowpack was 67% of normal, compounding the permanent seasonal pressure.
This deficit has accumulated over the current water year and represents a significant departure from historical averages for the Eugene area. Water supply reservoirs and aquifer levels are well below seasonal targets, necessitating mandatory conservation measures.
How to Keep Your Lawn Alive During Eugene Water Restrictions
11 tips tailored for Eugene homeowners during Conservation Season Mandatory - Annual June–September restrictions.
Eugene's cool-wet winters and dry summers make PNW-native perennials like Kinnikinnick, Oregon Stonecrop, and Sword Fern far easier than lawn.
Tall fescue and perennial ryegrass handle 2 days/week in Eugene's humid climate, water deeply on each scheduled day.
Use a smart controller with PNW ET preset; EWEB rebates cover $75 on WaterSense-labeled units.
Mow to 3.5 inches in summer and leave clippings; the mulch layer cuts evaporation by 25%.
Harvest rainwater in winter and spring for summer use, Eugene's 46" annual rainfall makes 500-gallon cisterns refill 20+ times per year.
Drip-irrigate vegetable beds and fruit trees; Eugene's clay-loam benefits from subsurface delivery.
Replace parkway strips first, front-of-house, high-visibility, and easiest to convert to natives.
Convert overhead spray to high-efficiency rotary nozzles; saves 30% on typical Eugene front lawns.
Fix leaks within 48 hours, EWEB offers free residential leak audits.
Skip irrigation cycles after any 0.25"+ rainfall event from June to September.
Track monthly use at eweb.org 'My Account', Conservation Season targets 15% reduction versus prior August.
Eugene Water Restriction FAQs
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