Cactus Village Community

Water, do we have enough?

Jul 10, 2003

When the well runs dry, we shall know the true worth of water.
-- Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard?’s Almanac

Water, do we have enough?

Always a concern in the Sonoran Desert, the lack of measurable rain and snowfall over the last four years, has created a greater concern for conservation by all residents. While it may seem that we have an unending supply, projections are that our current allotment will be reduced as early as January 2003. What can we do? We can water our yard responsibly
Here are some simple suggestions from the City of Phoenix and SRP.
Basic Lawn Watering: BE A NIGHT OWL. Water at night or early in the morning before the sun is up. Less water evaporates and more goes on your lawn. Water bermuda grass every three (3) days, even in the hottest part of summer. It promotes deep root growth. Water only for as long as it takes to saturate the grass. If the water is running into the street you?’ve over watered (and broken the law).
City Code, Section 31-8 and Section 23-33 prohibits discharging or allowing water to escape into a city street, other right of way, or other city property. A violation of either of these sections constitutes a class 1 misdemeanor and may result in a fine of up to $2,500, imprisonment of up to six months, probation not to exceed three years, or a combination of all three. Each incident or day of violation constitutes a separate offense.
More info is available at www.ci.phoenix.az.us/WATER/lawnguide.html, from the City of Phoenix Water Department 602-262-3430 or conservation@phoenix.gov.
Water; don?’t drown your trees & shrubs! Fill the root zone of the tree/shrub with water. This is approximately 1?½ to 3 times as wide as the branches & 2 to 3 feet deep. Stick a thin metal rod into the ground after you water, it should slide easily through the wet soil & difficult to push when reaching dry soil. If the water has spread more than it soaks in, you should consider aerating the ground. Water between 1 and 4 weeks in the summer and every 3 to 5 weeks in the winter depending on the plant.
More information can be found at www.ci.phoenix.az.us/WATER/treeshrb.html
Some signs of over watering:
Soil is constantly damp
Leaves turn light green or yellow
Young shoots are wilted
Leaves are green but brittle
Algae and/or mushrooms are growing
Water running into the street!!!!!

While this may seem to some like over reaction, Flagstaff is on water rationing and has been since last spring.
Water responsibly. Encourage and educate your neighbors to do the same. Failing that you can report wasting water to the Phoenix Water Department by calling (602) 262-6251, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, or (602) 534-2368 after 5 p.m. on weekends and holidays.

Of course, in a perfect world, everyone would opt for desert plants and landscaping. . . ☺