This summer, challenge yourself to make a few small changes in your water use

Tom Harrell

Submitted photo/EPCOR

Conserving water makes the biggest difference in making sure there is enough water to meet current and future needs. Every gallon saved reduces the amount of water that must be treated and delivered, which creates a more resilient water supply.”

Tell Us What You Think

What’s your best tip for saving water in the summer? Tell us in 300 words or less at yourvalley.net/letters, or email your comments, name, address and contact number to AzOpinions@iniusa.org.

OPINION — Arizonans are no strangers to soaring temperatures in the summer, but many don’t realize that with rising temps also comes additional water use. Arizona residents may use more than twice as much water in the summer. 

Whether it’s watering the yard more frequently, filling a pool or simply taking more-frequent showers, it's easy for water consumption to climb during the hottest months of the year.

While using more water may seem unavoidable, small changes can make a big difference. Conserving water not only helps protect one of Arizona’s most valuable resources but also lowers residents’ monthly utility bill.

Whether indoor or outdoor water usage, water conservation doesn't require major lifestyle changes. Many of the most effective solutions are simple habits and modifications that can lead to saving gallons of water and a few dollars, too. 

Outdoor modifications

Landscaping changes can be among the most impactful ways to save water. Adjust to watering plants and landscapes in the early morning or at night instead of midday to minimize evaporation and allow more moisture to reach the roots.

If you have an automatic sprinkler system, make sure you frequently check it to ensure that there are no faulty sprinkler heads or puddles. Sprinklers also can shift and spray areas that do not need watering, like sidewalks, driveways or streets, without homeowners realizing it.

If you have a pool or other outdoor water features, make sure that the equipment is operating properly. Regularly check for leaks. Routinely monitor your automatic water filler and if you notice it is running often, this may indicate a leak. Also, consider purchasing a pool cover to significantly reduce evaporation and reduce the need for water refilling.

Lastly, choose desert plants that thrive in the hot, dry climate of Arizona. These will require less water, which results in lowering landscape maintenance costs and conserves water over time.

Indoor modifications

While outdoor landscaping changes can make a big impact, many people are already shifting to smart irrigation or turf that requires less water. That doesn’t mean the work is done, though. There are several changes that can be made indoors to minimize water use.

Summer often means more laundry and dishes with children being home during the day. Always make sure you are running the washing machine and the dishwasher with full loads.

Take shorter showers, no more than 5 minutes, and always turn off the faucet when brushing teeth and shaving. A 10-minute shower may use as much as 30 gallons of water.  By cutting that in half, you can save nearly 5,500 gallons of water per year.  That’s an annual savings of more than $30 per person.

Lastly, leaks indoors and outdoors can waste thousands of gallons of water, especially if they go undetected. For instance, a leak no bigger than the lead of a pencil can waste as much as 25,000 gallons in one month, at a cost of more than $140 per month. Regular inspections of faucets, sprinkler heads, irrigation systems and toilets can catch a leak before it becomes a big issue. The other clear indicator of an undetected leak is a water bill with a surprisingly large increase. Always consult with a professional if you think you have a leak and get it fixed as soon as possible. 

Utilize conservation kits

Most local water utilities offer conservation kits for a low cost or for free. These kits include tools, guides and resources on how to save water.

In EPCOR’s free conservation kit, residents will find items like a shower timer, toilet tablets to check for leaks, low-flow shower head, faucet aerators, outdoor-hose nozzle and landscape watering guide.

All tools in the kit educate residents on better ways to use and conserve water. Often, Arizona residents or business owners are not aware they are using too much water or if there is a leak in their home until they see a large increase in their monthly water bill. Tools like these help Arizonans be more proactive in their water conservation and help avoid a shocking spike on their utility bill.

Obtaining a water-conservation kit is as easy as contacting your water provider or messaging conservation@epcor.com.

Why conserve water

Water is essential to drinking, cooking, cleaning and growing plants, but it is often not appreciated until it is gone.

As Arizona continues to grow, the demand for water grows alongside it and there are ongoing conversations about the fears of not having enough water in the future.

Luckily, many utility companies like EPCOR utilize multiple water sources, not relying solely on groundwater or surface water. Additionally, EPCOR is determining the feasibility of alternative water sources, such as desalination and advanced water purification, to ensure that there will be water for generations to come.

However, conserving water makes the biggest difference in making sure there is enough water to meet current and future needs. Every gallon saved reduces the amount of water that must be treated and delivered, which creates a more resilient water supply.

This summer, challenge yourself, your neighbors and your loved ones to make a few small changes around the home. Any of these simple adjustments can protect an essential resource while keeping money in your pocket.

Tom Harrell is a water resource analyst with EPCOR, a utility serving customers in Anthem, Bullhead City, El Mirage, Fountain Hills, Lake Havasu City, Litchfield Park, Paradise Valley, Peoria, Queen Creek, Rio Verde, San Tan Valley, Scottsdale, Sun City, Sun City West, Surprise, Tubac and Youngtown. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.