July is Smart Irrigation Month, so that means that summer is a great time to learn about controlling your irrigation timer. Just because you have one hanging on the side of your house or in the garage doesn’t mean you can set it and forget it! Unless you have a ‘smart controller,’ you’ll need to make periodic changes to the watering …
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Technology – mobile phones, laptops, iPads, and the associated programs and websites – can help to make our lives easier. And now you can put that technology to use to learn about water and water conservation. There is something for everyone, from tracking your water use and finding and fixing leaks to being a scientist for a day by collecting …
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They’ve been hard to miss … stories about drought, Colorado River water shortages, and water restrictions in California and other surrounding states. Through actively managed water supplies and the development of extensive reservoirs and underground storage, Arizona has planned for moments like these (see 5 Things You Need To Know Right Now About Arizona’s Drought). But, that doesn’t mean that …
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The vibrant color of bougainvillea adds a welcome splash of color to southwestern landscapes, and despite their lush green appearance, they thrive in hot, dry climates with little fuss. There are several different species of bougainvillea with Bougainvillea glabra, B. peruviana, and B. spectabilis being the most common. Native to South America, this drought-tolerant plant comes available as shrubs, vines, as well as …
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This past winter turned out to be one of the driest on record within the Salt and Verde River watersheds. Dry weather with only 3.13” of precipitation (27 percent of normal) going back to October of last year resulted in a new record low streamflow in the Salt and Verde Rivers. Between January and May, only approximately 100,000 acre-feet of …
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The City of Goodyear, Arizona owns and operates the largest reverse osmosis (R/O) system dedicated to producing drinking water within Arizona. This system generates 4.5 million gallons per day (MGD) of R/O water. The downside to being able to produce this clean source of drinking water is that it also generates nearly 1.0 MGD of brine that is chemically impacting …
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Pools are a great way to beat the heat! However, summer weather can do a number on your pool: haboobs deposit dirt, blustery winds deliver shed flowers and leaves, and rain washes yard debris right into your pool. Just like cleaning up after the big July 4th party, your pool needs maintenance to keep the water crystal clear. Besides regular …
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When it comes to desert landscaping you often hear the terms “Xeriscape” and “zeroscape” used interchangeably, but have you ever wondered what the difference is between the two? Xeriscape and zeroscape are definitely not the same. Let’s explain: Xeriscape comes from the Greek word “xeric” meaning dry or arid. Zeroscape is basically a mispronunciation of Xeriscape. The correct way to …
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The Saguaro cactus, Carnegiea gigantea, is the most famous and characteristic plant of the Sonoran desert. This gigantic, tree-like cactus is an Arizona icon! Description The main trunk of a mature Saguaro may be 40 feet high and 2 feet in diameter. A woody inner skeleton provides the strength to support ten arms or more. Although the age of a Saguaro …
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Spring is almost over, and summer is on the horizon! Which means it’s time to adjust your landscape watering schedule. But did you know that your irrigation should be adjusted monthly? It’s easy to set it and forget it — which could mean wasting water and money. To make life simple, the Arizona Municipal Water User’s Association (AMWUA) recently launched …
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Who owns water? What does the future of water look like in Arizona? Does water have a different meaning in Arizona than it does in other places? The answers to those questions are not easy and the details change depending on where you go across the state. Arizonans are invited to explore these issues at Water/Ways, a Smithsonian Museum on …
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The Salt River originates from the confluence of two tributaries (White and Black Rivers) in part of what is known as Arizona’s high country. The river flows about 100 miles through the middle of the state from east to west. The tributaries are created by a network of smaller headwater springs that are fed by snowmelt and flow through remote rugged …
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