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independent
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| Joined: | Thu Mar 26th, 2009 |
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Posted: Fri May 29th, 2009 07:54 pm |
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| Since we FINALLY have this water conservation dialogue and since the planned Marriott hotels will use an inordinate amount of water couldn't the Town mandate that ALL of the residential units, planned by 5Star, will be designed with desert landscape ONLY?
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exclamation
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| Joined: | Sat Dec 10th, 2005 |
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Posted: Fri May 29th, 2009 07:26 pm |
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Trust No One,
THUMBS UP!!!!
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Trust No One
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Posted: Fri May 29th, 2009 03:43 pm |
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| Exclamation could not have said it better! I just disagree with him/her on one thing. The developers who build the McMansions and then adorn them with lawn, fountains and other water guzzling amenities should have to pay more then $1,500! They should pay a surcharge per month, amount depending on their water usage, till the house is sold. Then that charge should be continued to be paid by the owner. Now that seems fair. Let's see who is really willing to conserve water!
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exclamation
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Posted: Fri May 29th, 2009 06:00 am |
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Let's ALL become "water-wise pros"!
According to PV's Water Committee Minutes Meeting of February 6, 2009 the Turf Removal Pilot Program has been in progress. Some residents have applied for the
$ 1500.00 maximum rebate for converting grass to desert landscape. ( Our Town Council apparently appropriated $30000.00 for this laudable program )
It is most disconcerting, however, that the developers of many oversized spec houses do not seem eager to participate in water conservation. Lawns, fountains & who knows what "adorn" their giant creations.
The houses go up, the lawns are planted & if luck prevails ( in these times ) some sales will occur.
Suppose some of those buyers are water wise. If so, they will opt for the Turf Removal Pilot Program. They'll rip out the developers' lawns, replace them with desert plants & each of them will then collect $1500.00 from our town's coffer.
Is this fair? Is this right?
I don't think so.
My suggestion would be that any developer coming into our town should be advised that if he wants to adorn his spec property with a lush, water guzzling lawn he will automatically be required to pay $1500.00 up front.
PV should be water wise, NOT money foolish!
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Zach Colick
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| Joined: | Mon Jan 15th, 2007 |
| Location: | Sun City |
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Posted: Wed May 27th, 2009 09:00 pm |
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Editor's note: The following story appears in the May 27 Town of Paradise Valley Independent. Post comments by hitting reply in the upper right-hand corner. Comments will be posted in an upcoming issue of the Town of Paradise Valley Independent.
Conservation event aimed at changing water-use habits
By Zach Colick
Independent Newspapers
Numerous cost-saving tips were offered up to residents last week during a town-sponsored water conservation forum, aimed at helping those who tend to waste water come up with ideas and ways to become “water-wise pros.”
This year, Paradise Valley established a Water Utility Committee, charged with not only becoming watchdogs by carefully examining the merits behind water companies’ attempts to increase water rates, but also for educational opportunities to help residents conserve water use where they can in order to see monthly cost savings.
Regardless of their water providers, residents saw and heard ideas May 20 on ways to conserve water both inside and outside their home.
Some of the primary focuses looked at ways to convert lush grassy lawns into yards comprised of desert landscaping, as well as cutting shower times and turning off the sink when washing dishes.
According to Water Utility Committee Chairwoman Pam Kirby, the average Paradise Valley household uses 800 gallons of water per day and in excess of 25,000 gallons per month.
“It’s substantial,” said Ms. Kirby, noting the majority of water is used outside to irrigate lawns and plants.
While the average American household does not live on one-acre lots in Paradise Valley in the Sonoran Desert, Ms. Kirby said residents would be surprised to learn how easy it is to see their average monthly water bill drop considerably if they take the proper steps to conserve.
Ms. Kirby said, however, residential water use in the town is declining, which she attributed to education campaigns and people becoming more cognizant of conservation efforts necessary for community sustainability.
She cited a 5 percent decline in people’s own monthly water use during the past two to three years.
“That is to be commended,” she said. “We want to continue to drive that number downward.”
One Paradise Valley resident in particular has seen tremendous cost savings to his monthly water bill, thanks to a water audit conducted by the Arizona American Water Co.
Representatives from the private water utility company can come out to inspect people’s homes to discuss ways to reduce water usage and save on monthly utility bills.
With the audit, resident and Water Utility Committee member Bob Hobbs Sr. said he has seen a 60 percent reduction in water usage on his four-acre property.
More importantly, he said he did not have to sacrifice what he enjoys about his home — beautiful, natural landscaping.
Mr. Hobbs still has turf in his backyard, albeit it now artificial, for him and his grandchildren to enjoy. While he now waters his outside plants and trees considerably less than before, Mr. Hobbs said he hasn’t changed anything inside his home.
“I encourage residents to water their lawns at night, so they can use less water and have it be more effective,” he said, noting he has gone from using 180,000 gallons of water in September 2008 to an average 60,000 gallons per month. “The water won’t evaporate like it would if you watered your lawn during the day.”
Brad Benhart, of Benhart Landscaping, 7450 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Suite 150, said a lot of wasted water comes from leaks in people’s toilets or sinks. He explained substantial savings can be seen from simply fixing those problems.
Arizona American Water Resource Analyst Sally Ceccarelli-Wolf said she encourages residents to slowly reduce the frequency and amount of water used to irrigate their lawns and plants, rather than in a quick fashion, so as to not shock the plants that have become dependent on excess amounts of water to survive.
Ms. Ceccarelli-Wolf admits it’s harder to wean trees and plants off water during the hot summer months, but said it can be accomplished if done properly.
“You just have to watch your plants to see how they will react,” she said. “Make sure to talk with your landscaper and tell them what you want done. They won’t cut back on watering your lawn unless you tell them.”
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