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With water a precious resource in the desert — and drought conditions upon us — city officials said it’s critical to think about conservation.
“As always, it is important for water users to follow water efficient practices to protect our precious resource,” said Surprise Water Resource Management Assistant Director Michael Boule.
Mr. Boule said landscaping is the top place to save water. He recommends watering in the early morning or later in the evening — and when it is not windy — as well as adjusting irrigation controllers to match the season.
Homeowners should also check their irrigation systems for leaks.
Another tip is to skip overseeding warm-season or summer (Bermudagrass) lawns with rye grass for a winter lawn.
Surprise residents can learn more about saving water at one of Surprise’s free water efficiency classes. The class schedule will be available on the city’s water conservation website in July.
Another way to save water will also give residents money back.
The city offers rebates to its customers for installing WaterSense-labeled smart irrigation controllers, as well as rebates for its Homeowner Association customers to convert water-thirsty grass to water-efficient landscapes.
Rebate application and program requirements are available on the Surprise water conservation page.
“Being efficient with water has been part of our long-term water management strategy, and our water conservation program provides resources to assist customers,” Mr. Boule said.
For Surprise water customers who want to track their water use, it can be done through a WaterSmart portal. It has real-time tracking to establish a water use baseline and set leak alerts.
Customers can access the WaterSmart portal through the “pay my bill” option on Surprise’s Utility Billing website at surpriseaz.gov/1503/Utility-Billing-Rates.
Resources and free guides for efficient watering, checking for leaks, along with more water-saving tips and advice are available on Surprise’s water conservation page at surpriseaz.gov/waterconservation.
Former NAU Lumberjack who loves going to concerts (or I did), watching sports (or I did) and hanging out with friends (oh, never mind). I also enjoy backgammon, surfing and men who are not afraid to cry.
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