How the AMWUA Cities Are Saving Water

Your water provider is dealing with big challenges like historic drought, higher operating costs, an aging workforce, and less water from the Colorado River. Despite these issues, the ten AMWUA cities remain dedicated to supplying water to 3.7 million people—over half of Arizona’s population—yet using only 11 percent of the state’s water. This achievement comes from years of careful planning and significant investments to deliver water security for Arizona. To carry this forward, they are focused on efficiency, resilience, and technology. 

Here are ways the AMWUA cities are working to protect our water future and maximize every drop:

Advanced Conservation & Efficiency Programs
The AMWUA cities manage water demand through technology and targeted incentive programs. This approach turns water efficiency into a key source of supply.

• Data-Driven Savings: Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) gives customers detailed information about their water use. This helps them find leaks and reduce water waste.
• Leak Detection & Control: Leak detection programs and smart irrigation timers improve outdoor watering efficiency, reduce water loss, and help lower customer bills.
• Rebates & Turf/Landscape Conversions: Homeowners, HOAs, and businesses can receive rebates for removing grass and changing their landscaping. Replacing high-water-use areas with drought-tolerant plants lowers water use, especially during long summers.
• Municipal Facility Efficiency: Cities frequently inspect their own facilities, parks, and operations for water waste, repair leaks, and upgrade irrigation systems.

Policy, Code, & Sustainable Development
The AMWUA cities support long-term water goals by adopting ordinances and policies that encourage responsible growth.

• Landscape Design Policies: Cities require new developments, including HOAs and multi-family buildings, to use native and low-water plants, install efficient irrigation, and limit grass to what is necessary.
• Commercial and Industrial Restrictions: Cities do not allow high-water-use plants and lawns in commercial and industrial areas to support water-saving business practices.
• Growth Management: Conservation codes limit water-heavy landscaping. Large new developments that use a lot of water must provide their own supply if they go over set limits, which helps protect current users.
• Water Efficiency Standards: Cities set and enforce rules for water-efficient plumbing and building practices.

Water Reuse & Resilient Supply
The AMWUA cities are working to create water supplies that do not depend on what happens in the environment. This helps make their water systems stronger, safer, and more reliable now and in the future.

• Expanding Reuse: Cities are investing in advanced water treatment technology to create a local water source that is efficient and drought-resistant.
• Maximizing Reuse: Cities use reclaimed water for landscaping, agricultural watering, aquifer recharge, and industrial cooling, such as at the Palo Verde Nuclear Plant.

The ten AMWUA cities’ ability to successfully provide water security comes from careful planning and smart investments, not luck. As we face less water from the Colorado River and a hotter, drier climate, using smart policies, new technology, and more water reuse will be necessary for our communities to stay strong. By investing in these proven strategies and making efficiency our top priority, our cities are helping millions of Arizonans enjoy a sustainable way of life for years to come.

To learn more about ways you can conserve and become more water-efficient, visit - https://www.amwua.org/what-you-can-do

For 57 years, the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association has worked to protect our member cities' ability to provide assured, safe, and sustainable water supplies to their communities – Avondale, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Goodyear, Mesa, Peoria, Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Tempe. For more information on water, visit www.amwua.org.

Last week, this article was featured on KTAR's website as part of AMWUA’s new Water Watch partnership.