In Arizona, water conservation benefits the entire state. Conserving water around your home is a great way to do your part while saving you money! Although you may be a drop, your actions create a ripple. Check out our ultimate Arizona water-saving tips for easy ways to save water this summer and all year round!
1. Leaks, Leaks Everywhere
Toilets leak, irrigation systems leak, faucets leak, swimming pools leak. It all adds up. ‘Nuff said!
FACT: An average household wastes nearly 10,000 gallons of water each year due to leaks.
ADVICE: An unexpected high water bill is often the first sign of a leak. Many leaks are easily noticed… the sound of a running toilet or the new fountain in your yard from a broken sprinkler head. We have the perfect online guide to find those leaks through visual inspections or a process called the isolation method. Find & Fix Leaks That Are Draining Your Budget.
2. Keep Your Landscape from Soaking You
Up to 70% of household water use occurs outdoors – especially for lush landscapes and swimming pools. Water — Use It Wisely offers great information on xeriscaping, efficient irrigation, rainwater harvesting, pool maintenance, and more.
FACT: A swimming pool evaporates its entire water volume in one year – about 20,000 gallons.
ADVICE: The can easily save thousands of gallons of water in your landscape by learning how to water properly, and understanding best practices for pool care. Don’t know where to start? Don’t worry, we won’t let you fall off the deep end. For curated information on landscape watering, rainwater harvesting, keeping the splash in your pool, and more, see the menu on our Saving Water Outdoors page.
3. Know & Compare
Are you using the right amount of water at home? Discover the ideal water usage for your household by using a home water calculator app and see how it compares with your actual usage.
FACT: Research has found that customers using auto bill payments consume more energy and water than those who do not.
ADVICE: By reading your water bill, and knowing your expected use, you can take control of your water usage. Some of our WUIW water providers offer a home water calculator so you can see if you have room for savings:
All others, try the AMWUA Water Use Calculator
4. Cash In On Water Savings
Discover amazing rebates for water-efficient toilets, grass removal, pool removal, and more. See our list below for direct links so you can find out if you qualify for these fantastic savings.
FACT: A few hundred to thousands of dollars may be available for grass removal. HOAs and commercial properties can qualify for $50,000 or more.
ADVICE: The Water – Use It Wisely partners listed below offer rebates or incentives. If you don’t see a link, check directly with your water provider.
-
-
- Avondale Rebate Programs
- Buckeye Rebates
- Chandler Rebates and Incentives
- El Mirage Incentive Program
- Glendale Water Conservation Rebates
- Goodyear Rebates and Incentives
- Mesa Residential Incentives, and Commercial & Multifamily Incentives
- Peoria Water Rebate Progams
- Phoenix Water Conservation Incentives
- Scottsdale Water Rebates
- Surprise Water Conservation Rebate Program
- Tempe Water Conservation Rebates
- Tucson Residential Rebates, and Commercial & Multifamily Rebates
- Avondale Rebate Programs
-
5. Landscapes That Thrive
Xeriscape design and low-water-use plants can create stunning results! Transform your yard with a gorgeous, low-maintenance, desert-friendly xeriscape that offers colorful blooms, shady spots, and a habitat for butterflies and hummingbirds.
FACT: Converting your lawn into a xeriscape will reduce your water consumption by half and save thousands of gallons of water each year.
ADVICE: Xeriscape includes common-sense landscape design principles with water in mind. Our desert climate includes brutally hot summers and freezing temperatures in winter. That’s why we suggest desert plants that can handle these extreme conditions. The good news? We have hundreds of colorful plants to choose from. Learn more at these links:
6. Harvest Your Rainwater
Why pay for water when it’s free? Despite our limited rainfall, it’s still worth it. No special cistern or barrel is required. Mimic nature by creating a desert wash in the landscape that directs the water to the planted areas.
FACT: The rooftop of a typical home can collect 500 gallons of water from ½-inch of rain.
ADVICE: Never use plastic sheeting under the rock or granite as it will not allow your landscape to absorb valuable rainfall. The mantra by many experts on rainfall is to “slow it, spread it, sink it! We’ve got some of the best links for great Rainwater Harvesting design ideas and advice.
7. It Just Makes WaterSense
Discover the power of water-efficient fixtures with the exclusive ‘WaterSense’ label. These items will use at least 20 percent less water than the federal requirements without sacrificing performance. It’s a brilliant choice for your wallet and the planet!
FACT: The WaterSense label can be found on showerheads, faucets, toilets, irrigation controllers, homes, and more.
ADVICE: Using high efficiency fixtures is a no-brainer. You save water each time you flush, shower, or use the bathroom sink. WaterSense labeled products are backed by independent, third–party certification and meet EPA’s specifications for not just water efficiency, but also performance. You can expect exceptional performance, savings on your water bills, and assurance that you are saving water for future generations.
8. Don’t Water the Gutter
Keep an eye out for misdirected or broken sprinklers and runoff from excessive watering — it’s a common sight in neighborhoods everywhere. Fix broken sprinklers, as needed, and position your sprinklers so that the water lands exactly where it should.
FACT: A broken sprinkler head can lose 12 gallons of water per minute or more.
ADVICE: While some breaks are obvious, many are not. Inspect for leaks in your irrigation system on a regular basis. Look for holes, puddles, washouts, or consistent water in the street gutter in front of your home. Check sprinkler heads to make sure they are popping up correctly and that they are directed onto the landscape. If you get runoff during irrigation due to a slope, check out our blog on a cycle and soak method.
9. Ease Up On Landscape Maintenance
Turns out that your maintenance practices can impact how efficient your plants can be with water use. Don’t excessively prune trees or shear shrubs to help reduce plant stress and to cause them to need more water.
FACT: Proper pruning, removing weeds, and fertilizing sparingly will all help reduce your landscape water use. Also, consider the use of organic mulches over plant roots (or leaving natural mulch like dropped leaves in place). It cools the soil, minimizes evaporation, and reduces weed growth that will compete with your plants for water.
ADVICE: Proper maintenance will keep your landscape growing strong and looking fabulous while staying water efficient. For best practices on watering, fertilizing, weed control, pruning, and mowing your grass, check out our Landscape Maintenance pages.
10. Value water as a limited, crucial, and invaluable resource
Let’s work together to support the preservation and efficient use of this precious resource and recognize the importance of clean water to our natural world
FACT: Each time we use water, we are polluting it. This is one more compelling reason to decrease your water consumption.
ADVICE: Those of us who live here know that water is integral to Arizona’s amazing quality of life. We all benefit from the careful planning and incredible infrastructure supporting life in the desert. That’s just one more reason why we all need to be smart about the water we have. Learn more about the Importance of Conserving Water.
This post is an extended version of an article featured in the August 2024 issue of Green Living Magazine. Green Living is an eco-conscious lifestyle magazine centered on daily life and ways to live, work, and play green.
Who is Water – Use It Wisely?
Since 1999, Water – Use it Wisely has been on a mission to educate Arizona residents about the significant benefits of water conservation and how effortless it is to make a difference. Our website is a treasure trove of over 100 tips and is a trusted source of valuable information. Visit our pages to be inspired by captivating Arizona water stories, engaging blog topics, expert desert landscaping advice, dedicated teacher pages, fun kids’ games, and so much more!
Water – Use It Wisely represents the combined efforts of many partners including the municipalities of Avondale, Buckeye, Chandler, El Mirage, Glendale, Goodyear, Mesa, Peoria, Phoenix, Queen Creek, Scottsdale, Surprise, Tempe, Tucson, and Yuma, as well as Central Arizona Project/CAGRD, EPCOR Water, Global Water Resources, and Salt River Project.