On Aug. 16, 2022, the Bureau of Reclamation declared a Drought Contingency Plan (DCP) Tier 2a shortage for 2023. Tempe currently remains in Stage 0 – Watch of the Drought Preparedness Plan (DPP), and due to the continued minor impact to Tempe’s supplies, there is no plan to modify this response at this time. Tempe, along with many valley cities, recognizes that the ongoing drought on the Colorado River is serious and continues to plan strategically for a future with less Colorado River water. Water conservation and efficiency are vital to a sustainable future here in the desert, and practical water-wise lifestyle changes will impact the community’s water future. 

Here are five ways residents can be part of the solution:

-Learn where you use the most water by visiting your WaterSmart portal.

You may also log in here to request a Water Consultation

-Find and fix visible and hidden leaks indoors and out, visit tempe.gov/leaks.

-Water yards efficiently by following landscape watering guidelines.

-Consider whether to overseed (plant winter grass) and learn about functional and non-functional turf by reading our Neighbor Spotlight below.

-Transform yards into a desert-adapted landscape, and consider applying for Water Conservation rebates and incentives.

How to Use the WaterSmart Portal to Detect Leaks

Click to watch this short video to better understand your water use patterns.

The WaterSmart Customer Portal is a water management resource available at no additional cost to Tempe utility customers. The Portal allows monitoring of hourly and daily water usage as well as the option to turn on continuous use, high use and unplanned use notifications. Once communication preferences have been updated, residents may receive a continuous use alert and be unsure of the next steps. This video reviews the types of continuous use that may be attributed to a leak. For additional leak detection resources, please visit tempe.gov/leaks or contact a Water Programs Specialist by phone at 480-350-8351 or email at [email protected].

Log In to WaterSmart

Sustainable Living Workshop Schedule

The 2022-2023 Sustainable Living Workshop Series schedule has been announced. Each workshop is taught by a local expert and early registration is recommended as space is limited for in-person courses. Virtual workshops are offered live and recordings will be added to the Tempe Video Library. Visit our Workshops page to learn more, view the video library and to register for upcoming workshops.

Register for a Workshop

Share a Water Conservation Story

Tempe residents have helped to conserve over 88 million gallons of water through June of this year. Help highlight residents and businesses who are passionate about water conservation. Bring awareness to different water-saving practices, such as participating in a rebate program, owning a desert adapted pet, regularly harvesting rainwater or maintaining a low water use landscape. Share contributions at [email protected] or by calling 480-350-8351.

Submit a Story

Trees and shrubs on same valve
Desert adapted - once every 18 days
High water use - once every 9 days

Trees
Desert adapted - once every 21 days
High water use - once every 9 days

Cacti and succulents
Once every 25 days

Lawns
Summer grass - once every 4-5 days
Overseeded cool season grass - four times per day for the first 7-10 days during germination
October is a better time to overseed

Shrubs, groundcovers and vines
Desert adapted - once every 1 days
High water use - once every 10 days

Annuals
Once every 3-4 days

The following are general guidelines for scheduling watering frequency for the month of September. New plants require more water until they become established. Monitor your plants for signs of stress, especially during the summer months. Visit Watering by the Numbers for detailed, step-by-step instructions regarding how much and how often to water.

These recommendations are general guidelines and will need to be modified for specific site conditions. Input information about your irrigation system into the online, interactive watering guide to identify exact irrigation run times, such as how long to run the water each time you water.

Water Wise Plant of the Month

Katie Ruellia (Ruellia simplex 'Katie’) thrives in full or partial Arizona sun and has a cold hardiness down to 28 degrees Fahrenheit. This petite groundcover works well for small areas and produces purple flowers in the fall and spring.

-Moderate water use

-Full Sun, Partial Sun

-Low litter

-Purple flower color

-Evergreen

-Thornless

-Not allergenic

-Qualifies for TreeBate

Tempe Neighbors Spotlight

Tempe resident, Tyler P., recently applied for pre-approval for the Landscape Conversion (Turf Replacement) Rebate to convert a strip of non-functional turf to a low water use landscape. The narrow patch of grass is surrounded by a driveway, sidewalk, and a divider wall, making it difficult to water efficiently. Additionally, due to the location and size, the space was not used for recreation or pets.

The photo shows the strip of non-functional turf that was pre-approved to be converted.

Non-functional turf may include narrow strips or islands of grass surrounded by impermeable surfaces, walls or other features that are not intended to be irrigated. It may also include grass areas with steep slopes that are unable to retain water from sprinkler application, which causes unwanted runoff. Converting grass to desert landscaping may reduce outdoor water consumption by 50 percent or more. To learn more about non-functional grass, and potential water savings, visit the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association’s (AMWUA) Blog.

The completed conversion showcases newly added decomposed granite as well as plant cover with both new and existing plants.

The completed conversion showcases newly added decomposed granite as well as plant cover with both new and existing plants. All converted areas for residential properties must have a minimum of 30 percent plant cover at maturity to qualify for the rebate. To assist with this requirement, residential customers who receive pre-approval for the landscape conversion rebate, may also qualify for up to an additional $125 for purchase and installation of low water use plants in the ground as part of our Treebate program. If interested in installing low water use plants and converting all or part of a Tempe residential landscape from grass to xeriscape, review the  terms and conditions for both the Turf Removal and Treebate Rebates. Prior to beginning a conversion project, submit a Turf Removal approval application and wait to receive approval to proceed. Reach out with questions to Tempe Water Conservation at 480-350-8351 or [email protected].

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