News flash: Phoenix could not be sustained on the amount of natural water resources available locally! Yikes! It’s no secret that our population is exploding…over 200 people moving here daily! With all this growth, there are many large scale projects in place to “import” water to ensure we have enough in the years to come. You probably see these canals in your day to day travels around the valley. The canal systems are amazing feats of modern technology and carry over half of all the water consumed in southern Arizona. The other half you cannot see comes from large groundwater aquifers that lay 300-500 feet below us. 

We are in a severe drought. The resources that supply our canals and replenish our aquifers are approaching dangerously low levels over the last 10 years. As we continue to grow, it’s important for residents to have awareness on how we can limit our household impact. Most people are familiar with common conservation tips like turning off the faucet when brushing your teeth. However, I was surprised to learn that the largest and most impactful source of water waste actually takes place outside in our yards and pools! 

Here are some tips to help you manage your own exterior household water usage:

• Leaks- Check for leaks in pipes and irrigation. Most people have a leak and don’t even know it, but these persistent losses in our household systems add up over a long time. Fixing leaks right away is one of the simplest ways to reduce water use You can find out more on how to identify and fix leaks here.
• Irrigation- Install a WaterSense smart irrigation controller. These systems account for rainfall and weather conditions. They factor in the type of plans and water required as well. 
  • City of Scottsdale offers up to a $250 rebate for qualified irrigation systems
• Pools- Putting a cover on your pool will eliminate a significant amount of evaporation (and also increase safety). Maintain your pool chemicals religiously to avoid having to drain and refill the pool. Turn off waterfalls and water features when not in use. If you do have to empty the pool, discontinue chemical use for 72 hours and repurpose the water into landscaping.
  • City of Scottsdale offers up to a $1500 rebate for the removal of a pool/spa
• Water Softeners and Reverse Osmosis Systems- Many people like these systems but did you know they can take up to 5x more water to run? I had no idea! Our water is actually very clean and good tasting due to the amazing technology and the natural filtration within our aquifers so removing or disabling these systems is a no brainer.
  • City of Scottsdale offers up to a $250 rebate for removal of these systems.
• Grass- Grass is pretty, but it consumes a lot of water. Consider replacing grass with plants that thrive in the desert on minimal water. You can find more information on replacing your grass here and here. 
  • City of Scottsdale offers up to a $5000 rebate for pre-approved removal of grass.

How do you think your house would perform in these areas? Is there one thing that you can change to reduce your water use? I know we have some work to do, but I’m excited to have some action items to work towards. First up for us is a pool cover!

If you want more information the City of Scottsdale has tons of information found on their site here. 

Lindsay Fricks, Helping you, your family and friends Live and Love in Arizona!