Watershed Info No. 1273

Daniel Salzler                                                                                           No. 1273                                         EnviroInsight.org                             Three Items                           September 27 2024   

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1. Gov. Hobbs Appoints Coconino County’s Patrice Horstman To Water Infrastructure Finance Authority Board In Arizona.  By Kim Tran

In a move to boost Arizona’s efforts in water conservation and infrastructure, Governor Katie Hobbs has named Coconino County Supervisor Patrice Horstman to join the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona (WIFA) Board of Directors. A seasoned lawyer with more than four decades of practice under her belt, Horstman brings to the table a well-documented track record in Indian law and natural resource-related law.

The WIFA, that Horstman will now be helping steer, is governed by a body consisting of nine voting members. These members, including Horstman, are appointed by the Governor and Legislature, working closely alongside nine non-voting ex-officio members who represent legislative leadership and state agency heads. They together administer several programs aimed at conservation, improving water quality, supplementing existing resources, and funding water infrastructure throughout Arizona.

 Having carved a niche as an advocate for rural Arizona, Supervisor Horstman’s experience with issues of public lands and water management echos through her various leadership roles, including being appointed by the Secretary of Interior to the Bureau of Land Management’s Arizona Resource Advisory Council. Alongside this, serving on the Western Interstate Region Board and the Public Lands Steering Committee through the National Association of Counties (NACo) speaks to some volume.

Appreciating the depth and breadth of Horstman’s experience, Governor Hobbs stated, “Patrice Horstman has demonstrated a career of service to Arizona, and has been a tireless advocate for rural communities and responsible water management.” The Governor continued, expressing confidence in the value that Horstman’s “expertise and perspective will be of great value to the WIFA Board of Directors as they continue to pursue WIFAs critical mission of funding water conservation, reuse, augmentation, and infrastructure needs throughout Arizona,” according to an announcement by the Office of the Arizona Governor.

Expressing gratitude for the appointment, Supervisor Horstman commits to contributing innovative strategies for the state, saying to the Office of the Arizona Governor, “I am truly honored by the Governor’s appointment to the WIFA Board, and I look forward to working on innovative and creative opportunities for Arizona’s water needs.” Her appointment is seen by many as a strategic move, connecting a legal mind steeped in resource management to a board responsible for administering key state and federal programs targeting water issues.

The WIFA, that Horstman will now be helping steer, is governed by a body consisting of nine voting members. These members, including Horstman, are appointed by the Governor and Legislature, working closely alongside nine non-voting ex-officio members who represent legislative leadership and state agency heads. They together administer several programs aimed at conservation, improving water quality, supplementing existing resources, and funding water infrastructure throughout Arizona.

2. The MRF (Materials Recycling Forum) Kicks Off On October 21st Through 22nd in Chicago, Illinois.  Transform your recycling plant into a profit machine.

The MRF Operations Forum is the only industry event dedicated to plant operators looking to enhance their plant operations. Get insights for optimizing plant efficiency and improving material recovery and purity and exchange ideas with operators who understand the challenge of increasingly complex and capital-intensive equipment and radically changing markets and material streams.  

To register, go to:https://web.cvent.com/event/05f938ff-b051-47de-81a4-952e3d3b08e5/regPage:ec8bdd2e-7aa0-4d84-9868-f5d070b0966e?rp=0724fad6-f35c-4fb1-a4d2-e47d4a99296c

3.  Ten Ultimate Arizona Water Saving Tips: 

1. Leaks, Leaks Everywhere.Toilets leak, irrigation systems leak, faucets leak, swimming pools leak. It all adds up. ‘Nuff said!

FACT: An average household wastes nearly 10,000 gallons of water each year due to leaks.

ADVICE: An unexpected high water bill is often the first sign of a leak. Many leaks are easily noticed… the sound of a running toilet or the new fountain in your yard from a broken sprinkler head. We have the perfect online guide to find those leaks through visual inspections or a process called the isolation method.Find & Fix Leaks That Are Draining Your Budget.

2. Keep Your Landscape from Soaking You.  Up to 70% of household water use occurs outdoors – especially for lush landscapes and swimming pools. Water — Use It Wisely offers great information on xeriscaping, efficient irrigation, rainwater harvesting, pool maintenance, and more.

FACT: A swimming pool evaporates its entire water volume in one year – about 20,000 gallons

ADVICE: The can easily save thousands of gallons of water in your landscape by learning how to water properly, and understanding best practices for pool care. Don’t know where to start? Don’t worry, we won’t let you fall off the deep end. For curated information on landscape watering, rainwater harvesting, keeping the splash in your pool, and more, see the menu on our Saving Water Outdoors page.

3. Know & Compare.  Are you using the right amount of water at home? Discover the ideal water usage for your household by using a home water calculator app and see how it compares with your actual usage.

Find out the ideal water usage for your household with home water calculators.

FACT: Research has found that customers using auto bill payments consume more energy and water than those who do not.

ADVICE:  By reading your water bill, and knowing your expected use, you can take control of your water usage. Some of our WUIW water providers offer a home water calculator so you see if you have room for savings:

All others, try the AMWUA Water Use Calculator

4. Cash In On Water Savings.  Discover amazing rebates for water-efficient toilets, grass removal, pool removal, and more. See our list below for direct links so you can find out if you qualify for these fantastic savings.

FACT: A few hundred to thousands of dollars may be available for grass removal. HOAs and commercial properties can qualify for $50,000 or more.

ADVICE: The Water – Use It Wisely partners listed below offer rebates or incentives. If you don’t see a link, check directly with your water provider.

5. Landscapes That Thrive.  Xeriscape design and low-water-use plants can create stunning results! Transform your yard with a gorgeous, low-maintenance, desert-friendly xeriscape that offers colorful blooms, shady spots, and a habitat for butterflies and hummingbirds.

FACT: Converting your lawn into a xeriscape will reduce your water consumption by half and save thousands of gallons of water each year.

ADVICE: Xeriscape includes common-sense landscape design principles with water in mind. Our desert climate includes brutally hot summers and freezing temperatures in winter. That’s why we suggest desert plants that can handle these extreme conditions. The good news? We have hundreds of colorful plants to choose from. Learn more at these links:

Low Water Use Plants

Seven Principles of Xeriscape Design


6. Harvest Your Rainwater

Rainwater is salt-free and contains many beneficial ingredients for plant growth.

Why pay for water when it’s free? Despite our limited rainfall, it’s still worth it. No special cistern or barrel is required. Mimic nature by creating a desert wash in the landscape that directs the water to the planted areas.

FACT: The rooftop of a typical home can collect 500 gallons of water from ½-inch of rain.

ADVICE: Never use plastic sheeting under the rock or granite as it will not allow your landscape to absorb valuable rainfall. The mantra by many experts on rainfall is to “slow it, spread it, sink it! We’ve got some of the best links for great Rainwater Harvesting design ideas and advice.

7.  It Just Makes WaterSense. Discover the power of water-efficient fixtures with the exclusive ‘WaterSense’ label. These items will use at least 20 percent less water than the federal  requirements without sacrificing performance. It’s a brilliant choice for your wallet and the planet!

FACT: The WaterSense label can be found on showerheads, faucets, toilets, irrigation controllers, homes, and more.

ADVICE: Using high efficiency fixtures is a no-brainer. You save water each time you flush, shower, or use the bathroom sink. WaterSense labeled products are backed by independent, third–party certification and meet EPA’s specifications for not just water efficiency, but also performance. You can expect exceptional performance, savings on your water bills, and assurance that you are saving water for future generations.

8. Don’t Water the Gutter.  Keep an eye out for misdirected or broken sprinklers and runoff from excessive watering — it’s a common sight in neighborhoods everywhere. Fix broken sprinklers, as needed, and position your sprinklers so that the water lands exactly where it should.

FACT: A broken sprinkler head can lose 12 gallons of water per minute or more.

ADVICE: While some breaks are obvious, many are not. Inspect for leaks in your irrigation system on a regular basis. Look for holes, puddles, washouts, or consistent water in the street gutter in front of your home. Check sprinkler heads to make sure they are popping up correctly and that they are directed onto the landscape. If you get runoff during irrigation due to a slope, check out our blog on a cycle and soak method.

9. Ease Up On Landscape Maintenance.  Turns out that your maintenance practices can impact how efficient your plants can be with water use. Don’t excessively prune trees or shear shrubs to help reduce plant stress and to cause them to need more water.

FACT: Proper pruning, removing weeds, and fertilizing sparingly will all help reduce your landscape water use. Also, consider the use of organic mulches over plant roots (or leaving natural mulch like dropped leaves in place). It cools the soil, minimizes evaporation, and reduces weed growth that will compete with your plants for water.

ADVICE: Proper maintenance will keep your landscape growing strong and looking fabulous while staying water efficient. For best practices on watering, fertilizing, weed control, pruning, and mowing your grass, check out our Landscape Maintenance pages.

10. Value water as a limited, crucial, and invaluable resource.  Let’s work together to support the preservation and efficient use of this precious resource and recognize the importance of clean water to our natural world 

FACT:   Each time we use water, we are polluting it. This is one more compelling reason to decrease your water consumption.  

ADVICE: Those of us who live here know that water is integral to Arizona’s amazing quality of life. We all benefit from the careful planning and incredible infrastructure supporting life in the desert. That’s just one more reason why we all need to be smart about the water we have. Learn more about the Importance of Conserving Water.

Source: https://wateruseitwisely.com/blog/10-ultimate-arizona-water-saving-tips/

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