The Glendale Water Services Department was awarded a $50,000 WaterSMART grant from the United States Bureau of Reclamation to promote water-efficient landscapes, located in an increasingly hot and dry climate. With this funding, the department launched a new pilot project to provide water-efficient irrigation equipment to municipal and non-residential customers. The department’s Conservation and Sustainable Living Division (CSL) offered free water efficiency assessments for HOAs and businesses and incentivized water-efficient technology at 13 sites:

This gives customers the ability to remotely operate and irrigate large landscapes with WaterSense-labeled smart irrigation controllers that use local weather data to automatically adjust irrigation programs. Many customers installed flow sensor and master valve technologies, designed to detect significant leaks and shut off irrigation until repairs can be made. One customer upgraded sprinklers with high-efficiency sprinkler nozzles designed to evenly distribute irrigation and minimize water loss through evaporation. In addition to receiving irrigation technology incentives, three non-residential customers received existing city landscape rebates for eliminating non-functional turf in their communities and business.

Water-efficient upgrades for large landscapes can take time due to securing proper approvals, covering high project costs and identifying qualified landscape irrigation professionals. CSL staff met with non-residential customers this month to thank them for partnering with the city to conserve water. With all grant funds expended, the project is being evaluated for a permanent rebate offering in the future.

Learn more about Glendale’s Water Efficiency Partner (GWEP) Program for non-residential customers by visiting www.glendaleaz.com/gwep.