Archive for “Environment and Sustainability” Category

News & Events

The Unknown Water Thief in Your Backyard

August 17, 2026

Arizona’s Colorado River outlook makes conservation at every scale more important than ever. One overlooked source of potable-water use may be hiding in the routine maintenance of backyard pools: cleaning cartridge filters with a garden hose, even though those filters can be professionally cleaned using reclaimed and recycled water. The Unknown Water Thief in Your Backyard Arizona homeowners are becoming …

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Super El Niño? What could that mean for the Colorado River?

August 4, 2026

El Niño is often portrayed as a reliable weather pattern that brings wetter winters to the Southwest. While that has frequently been true in the past, it isn’t guaranteed. Every El Niño develops under different conditions, and this year’s event highlights just how complex these climate patterns can be. Several oceanic and atmospheric systems are interacting at the same time. …

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A Smarter Alternative to Draining Your Pool

July 31, 2026

Saving Thousands of Gallons-One Pool at a Time Traditional swimming pool draining wastes thousands of gallons of clean water. It can also put your pool at risk for cracks and leaks. Furthermore, pool water recycling is a smart alternative that helps conserve water and maintain your pool’s integrity. Mobile reverse osmosis offers a smarter, sustainable solution. It recycles your pool …

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Helping Arizona Communities Navigate Drought: Lessons from a Phoenix–ASU Partnership 

July 22, 2026

For decades, Arizona communities have worked together to help residents understand drought, conserve water and build a more resilient future in the desert. Arizona Water Conservation efforts have been advanced through regional partnerships like Water – Use It Wisely. Through these, cities, water providers and community organizations share practical information and resources. As a result, this helps residents make informed …

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Arizona’s Go-To Watering Guide Just Got a Major Refresh

June 29, 2026

Do your plants really need water today? If you’re not sure, you’re not alone. For many Arizona homeowners, landscape watering can feel like a guessing game. We inherit irrigation schedules from the previous homeowner. We water because it’s Tuesday. We water because it’s hot outside. Sometimes we water because we haven’t thought about it in a while and suddenly feel …

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Plant of the Month: Desert Senna – The Plant that Rattles!

June 11, 2026

Desert Senna (Senna covesii) is a wonderful addition to a pollinator-friendly yard. This plant yields an abundance of flowers and seeds, which attract birds, bees and butterflies. A desert dweller, it thrives in full sun and requires minimal water. You may hear Desert Senna before you see it because the seeds rattle inside the pods, especially when the wind blows …

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Building Water Efficiency into New Homes

June 4, 2026

WaterSense® Certified Homes Did you know that some newly built homes use significantly less water than others? One way homebuilders can help conserve Arizona’s water supplies is by constructing homes that earn a WaterSense® certification. Developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), WaterSense-certified homes are independently inspected and use at least 30% less water than typical new homes—without sacrificing …

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Tidy Tubing: Salt River Cleanup Hosted by Natural Restorations

May 19, 2026

The Lower Salt River has long been one of Arizona’s most visited desert waterways. Here, cool flowing water cuts through the Sonoran landscape and creates a seasonal gathering place for recreation, wildlife, and community. As tubing season approaches each year, increased foot traffic along the riverbanks brings both opportunity and impact. Therefore, early-season stewardship has become an important part of …

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Customize Your Conservation — Get a Free Water-Saving Kit!

April 27, 2026

Free Water-Saving Tools Delivered to Your Door Looking for a way to level up your water conservation game this summer? Thanks to a partnership between Salt River Project (SRP) and Water – Use It Wisely, you can get a free, customizable kit of water-saving items delivered right to your door. Even better? These simple upgrades can help you save up …

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The City of Mesa Is Turning Grass Removal into Big Water Savings

April 6, 2026

$$  Grass Removals = Big Water Savings  $$ In the desert Southwest, grass is one of the thirstiest landscape choices you can make. That’s why more Mesa residents, businesses, and HOAs are choosing to replace turfgrass with water-smart desert landscapes – and the results are adding up in a big way. In 2025 alone, Mesa’s grass-to-xeriscape incentive programs helped remove …

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Arizona Water Awareness Month (April 1st – 30th)

March 26, 2026

Celebrate Water Awareness Month April is Arizona Water Awareness Month. It is a time to celebrate and show your appreciation for Arizona’s most precious resource – Water! Whether you are just starting your water conservation journey or are already an expert water saver, there are plenty of opportunities to celebrate Water Awareness Month. For example, here are some of our …

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Plant of the Month: Partridge-Breast Aloe

March 16, 2026

This month’s Plant of the Month blog spotlights another standout selection from his latest book — Cool Cacti and Succulents for Hot Gardens by Greg Starr — a must-have guide for any desert gardener! With over 150 water-wise picks perfect for the Southwest, it’s no surprise we’re big fans here at Water – Use It Wisely. One of our favorite features? …

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