Severe Droughts Across the U.S. Prompt Water Restrictions and Lawn Scrutiny
The United States is experiencing widespread drought conditions, with many areas classified as facing 'extreme' to 'exceptional' drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. This comes after the contiguous U.S. recorded its warmest 12-month period from May 2025 to April 2026. Communities across the country are implementing water restrictions to conserve resources, with 534 cities and counties in 46 states categorized as having 'moderate' to 'strict' watering rules. These restrictions often include limits on the number of watering days, time-of-day bans, and penalties for violations. The Southwest, particularly Arizona and Nevada, is among the hardest-hit regions, with cities like Scottsdale, Tucson, and Las Vegas ranking as the most expensive for lawn watering. Measures such as banning 'non-functional turf' irrigation and prohibiting wasteful water practices are becoming more common as drought conditions persist. 
