FAQs

• It’s a first-of-its-kind program in the White Mountains region that relies on the strengths and assets of partners to collaboratively build upon the existing water conservation efforts and resources in this area. Separately, the five partners in the Leave It Better IDMP have been doing conservation work throughout this region for many years, but this program offers an opportunity for leaders from these major organizations to come together and start talking about what more we can do now, for the good of the future. Leave It Better strives to provide a central hub so that residents and visitors can learn what their community is doing to conserve. It also creates a new opportunity for partners to come together and discover what more can be done for water conservation in the White Mountains.

• For a demand management program to be integrated, it needs to be in tune with the community, which means including important stakeholders. The partners of Leave It Better are:
  •  Town of Pinetop-Lakeside (a local municipality)
  •  City of Show Low (another local municipality)
  •  Navajo County (the county that oversees the White Mountains)
  •  American Ground Water Trust (a national, non-profit organization)
  •  Arizona Water Company (the private water utility serving the Town, Overgaard, and other unincorporated areas in the region)

• This program encompasses existing conservation efforts and introduces new ones. For the existing efforts, see the FAQ titled What efforts have program partners already made to conserve water? The new efforts within the IDMP include a Public Engagement Program through Facebook, educational videos like the Water Journey Video, increased community event participation and classroom presentations, and the launch of 4th Grade Water Festivals through the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension’s Arizona Project WET, and that’s just the start! Follow the Facebook page to stay up-to-date on the work being done for this program.

• Arizona has been in a state of drought for the past few decades, meaning that water resources have been stressed across all watersheds. While the drought conditions have been more apparent in southern and central parts of the state, every Arizonan must do their part to protect the state’s most precious resource: water. The White Mountains are at the beginning of the journey for water in Arizona, and while it may seem like there is enough water in the White Mountains, there is never enough to waste. Water conservation ethic within a community is important to start before a crisis, so let’s all do our part to make sure we conserve and Leave It Better in the White Mountains!

• City of Show Low

– The 2018 Show Low General Plan established specific water conservation objectives, including:

– Expanding community outreach to encourage water conservation and recycling.

– Investigating an incentive program to encourage water conservation.

– The city’s General Plan is updated every 10 years, with yearly reviews to ensure that plan objectives align with community values and goals. Read the full plan here.

• Chapters 12, 18, and 19 of Show Low’s Municipal Code include provisions for:

– Restricting water use for irrigation or sprinkling in cases of water shortage.

– Prohibiting water waste.

– Adhering to the 2018 International Plumbing Code for all buildings.

– Requiring light industrial development to provide a landscaping plan that utilizes native/indigenous species from an approved plant list.

• Town of Pinetop-Lakeside

– The 2015 Pinetop-Lakeside General Plan established the goal of encouraging residential and commercial water conservation through the production and distribution of educational materials concerning water conservation practices.

– The town’s General Plan is developed, approved, and carried out by citizens in partnership with public officials and agencies, public utility companies, civic, educational, and other organizations. Read the full plan here.

• Chapters 15 and 16 of the Pinetop-Lakeside Town Code include adoption of the:

– 2018 International Plumbing Code.

– Subdivision landscaping requirements such as drip irrigation systems for organic ground cover and submission of a preliminary landscape plan that includes irrigation plans for all new developments.

• Navajo County

– The county’s University of Arizona cooperative extension office provides educational resources as well as occasional webinars or workshops on water-wise gardening and irrigation practices.

– For more information on this, visit: https://extension.arizona.edu/navajo

• American Ground Water Trust

– The American Ground Water Trust is a national non-profit organization dedicated to increasing awareness of water resource issues and promoting efficient and effective groundwater management. Their executive director, Sara Chudnoff, facilitates groundwater educational outreach in the community and organizes local groundwater conferences throughout the country.

– For more information on the American Ground Water Trust, visit: https://agwt.org/

• Arizona Water Company

– It is important that Arizona Water Company walks the walk when it comes to water conservation. Here are just a few things the company does to conserve water through regulated tariffs:

– Special Events/Programs and Community Presentations Tariff: AWC staff are ready and willing to run booths at events or provide presentations on water-related topics for the White Mountains region. Interested in having someone host a booth or give a presentation? Email [email protected] and AWC staff will coordinate with you!

– Water Waste Investigations and Information Tariff: This tariff requires AWC staff to investigate any water waste reported by the community, determine what the cause of the waste may be, and follow up with the entity at fault to help them resolve the issue. Read more on this tariff here.

– Leak Detection Program Tariff: AWC staff are constantly assessing local water system infrastructure to look for and fix leaks. As a proactive measure, they use specialized leak-detection equipment to routinely inspect lines for leaks. When a leak is found, it is prioritized for repair to keep lost water at a minimum. Read more on this tariff here.

• For a full list of water conservation-related tariffs, visit:  https://www.azwater.com/rates/

– In addition to water conservation tariffs, Arizona Water Company offers a residential toilet rebate and free conservation kit program for Arizona Water Company customers.

– For more information on these programs, check out the following links:
– Toilet Rebate Program
– FREE Conservation Kit Program