Commentary by Kevin Hartke
The City of Chandler supplies tens of millions of gallons of high-quality drinking water every day to our residential, business and industrial customers.
Over the years, we have made smart investments in infrastructure, diverse water supplies, water reuse, storing water underground and conservation programs. That’s why the City is in such good shape as we face serious drought conditions across the state.
The United States Bureau of Reclamation declared a Tier 2 Colorado River Shortage effective 2023. The shortage on the Colorado River does not mean a shortage at your tap. But that doesn’t mean our work is done.
I encourage everyone to continue their water conservation efforts. Because of your commitment over the years, the average household in Chandler is using 20% less water today than it did 25 years ago. Keep up the great work. We have several ways you can continue conserving.
First, did you know you can see how much water you are using in your household by utilizing an online calculation tool on our website? Or that you can get a free water audit conducted by City water experts to find leaks and analyze your water usage? Nationwide, household leaks waste 1 trillion gallons of water annually. Finding those leaks is a great way to conserve water and to save money.
The City of Chandler also offers rebates and incentives for residents for removing grass, installing low water use landscapes at newly constructed homes, or installing a smart controller.
As summer is ending and monsoon season is almost behind us, now is the time to start thinking about creating a unique landscape that is easy to maintain. You can save water and get rebates for taking part in City programs such as landscape consultations, low water use demonstration gardens and water-wise workshops.
As a reminder, this year is not a good year to plant winter grass. One solution is to learn more about xeriscape landscape installation and receive a rebate. If you’re not sure which plants are low water use, we have several resources to help you find the perfect landscape for the Arizona desert.
If you are interested in a little light reading, check out the water conservation brochures for more helpful tips to conserve water in your home and your landscape.
I encourage everyone to continue their water conservation. Your efforts will help ensure a better tomorrow.
Find all water conservation programs at chandleraz.gov/waterconservation.
Kevin Hartke is the mayor of Chandler.
Who does water conservation really benefit?
This is not a rhetorical question. Suppose we all decided to conserve water — no winter lawns, better yet, no lawns at all. Stop watering trees. No swimming pools. No gardens. Limit our showers to a couple times a week. Do you really need to wash your car more than once a year? If we all pitch in together, we can make this happen! Such a good feeling, saving all this water!
Now, what happens to all the water we are saving? Maybe it will be sent on down to the Gulf of California where it can be used to maintain the ecological health of the Colorado River delta. Or maybe it will be used to supply water for even more people who move into Arizona.
If it is used so that this area can continue its current rate of population growth, who benefits when that happens? Maybe all of us who conserve water will receive some benefit, or maybe the real estate developers who create housing that can be built to supply housing for this population growth will receive some benefit. Hmm, I wonder which group will benefit most…
I know, I’m just being cynical here.