City of Belgrade Reminds Residents About Water Irrigation Regulations Ahead Of Summer Months

BELGRADE, Mont. — Belgrade officials are urging residents to use less water as warmer temperatures increase the demand for water across the city.  

The city put water regulations in place last May, and now they are being put in place permanently going forward.

Belgrade says this is an effort to conserve water and reduce pressure on the water system during peak hours.  

Public Works Director Camaree Uljua explained why the city acted as irrigation season has picked up.  

“The irrigation season places a really large demand on Belgrade’s water system. Our water use nearly triples, actually it probably more than triples during the summer months, and that’s what we’re trying to deal with,” said Camaree Uljua.  

Uljua, who had served as the City of Belgrade’s public works director since 2023, explained that Belgrade’s restrictions are simpler than rules used in some other parts of Montana.  

“Irrigation watering is just prohibited from 6am to 6pm, and that applies all days of the week. There is one exception to it, and that is that you are still allowed to like hand water with a hose, as long as it's equipped with like an automatic shut off nozzle,” said Uljua. 

The city says these rules are meant to make sure water remains available for critical needs such as fire protection and other emergencies.  

More information about Belgrade water rules can be found here. 

Questions about the policy surrounding these irrigation regulations have also come up with residents.  

In a recent Facebook thread, one Belgrade resident asked whether irrigation watering meant watering a lawn, and another user responded yes.  

However, the topic of water irrigation and details around it are not just being felt in Belgrade. 

In Bozeman, irrigation restrictions are a year-round measure, and watering is allowed only on a resident’s designated day before 10 a.m. and after 8 p.m.  

More information about Bozeman watering schedules can be found at the following link.  

Officials are also encouraging residents to avoid using more water than needed and to check that their irrigation systems are working properly.  

Belgrade officials say the regulations are not limited to the summer months and will remain in place indefinitely.