Water Conservation Plan

Arizona is in the midst of a drought, now ten years and counting. This has caused our water reserves to drop to only 50% capacity… an increasingly scary number in light of ever-increasing population and continued development.

In light of these figures, Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano signed Executive Order 2003-12 on March 20, 2003, establishing the Governor’s Drought Task Force. This group of water professionals and lawmakers presented a Strategic Water Use Plan to the Governor in October 2004, which was adopted. The plan calls for government entities to begin to curtail water use, and encourage rural water systems to develop Water Conservation Plans.

The Town of Kearny also has water problems. The Town currently uses more than 3/4 of its available water supply, a total dangerously close to emergeny levels. To ensure the Town of has enough water, a Conservation Plan began to be developed on July of 2004, and was formally adopted by the Kearny Town Council on November 8, 2004.

This plan lays out the groundwork for a series of initiatives and other steps to help reduce the total amount of water used by the Town of Kearny.

Water Conservation Tips

Kearny is fortunate to live in such a rare and beautiful community. There are few other places in Arizona where you can drive down gorgeous, tree-lined streets with many homes having lush green lawns. Our pride and vanity, however, may cost us all in the long run. We do live in a desert… and water is our most important and precious resource. Without it, our oasis is threatened. So we must all do our part to use water wisely and ensure an adequate water supply for ourselves and future generations. Water conservation not only will help save water, it will also save you money. The following tips can help you do your part to live a more water-wise lifestyle.

In the Bathroom

Check faucets and pipes for leaks.
Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving, rather than running a steady stream.
Limit showers to five minutes.
For pre-1985 homes, replace standard shower heads with low-volume heads. Install flow restrictors in bathroom faucets.
Check your toilet periodically for leaks. Place a few drops of food coloring in the tank. After a few minutes, if you see color in the bowl, you have a leak, perhaps caused by a faulty flapper.
Listen for gurgling sounds coming from your toilet. These noises indicate the flush valve needs to be adjusted to stop wasting water.
In pre-1980 homes, fill a plastic, one quart bottle with water and place it in the toilet tank. To anchor the bottle, partially fill it with sand or any heavy substance. This does not affect the efficiency of most toilets and can save 5 or more gallons per day per a family of four. Do not use bricks to displace water in your toilet tank. They will break down over time and can cause problems.
Avoid using your toilet for a wastebasket or ashtray. Extra flushes waste water and money

In the Kitchen & Laundry Room:

Automatic dishwashers and washers are more efficient if run only when they are full.
When washing dishes by hand, don’t let the tap run freely to rinse. Fill the second side of the sink with rinse water.
Fill a pitcher with drinking water and store it in the refrigerator.

Outside

Evaporative coolers require a seasonal maintenance check-up. For more water efficient cooling check your evaporative coolers annually. Make sure your evaporative cooler uses a recirculating water pump.
When washing the car, use soap and water from a bucket. Use a hose with a shut-off nozzle for the final rinse.
Use a broom when cleaning your driveway.
Adjust sprinklers so only the lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street.
Do not water on windy days.
Check and maintain your sprinkler system regularly.
Water your lawn every third day.
Always water during the cool time of the day to minimize evaporation.
Early morning is best, and the peak water consumption hours (4 p.m. to 9 p.m.) should be avoided.
Adjust your irrigation schedule to accommodate changes in seasonal water demand.
Install an automatic timer.
For landscaping, use native or other low water use plants.
Using a layer of mulch around plants reduces evaporation and promotes plant growth.
Water retaining basins also allow water to be concentrated around the plants.
Use the principles of Xeriscape.

In our desert environment, times of drought are far more common than times of plenty. Don’t let Arizona’s precious resource drip away carelessly. Adopt a water-wise lifestyle.

For more information, contact the Town of Kearny at (520) 363-5547