Photo caption: Leah Hubbard, City of Prescott Water Resources coordinator, urges residents to attend the monthly water conservation education presentations and to participate in the WatrerConservation Rebate Program.
The City of Prescott emphasizes conserving water, noting its necessity to sustain reasonable growth without jeopardizing coming generations.
Prescott Mayor Greg Mengarelli stresses that water conservation is in the best interest of the greater community. Even so, he surprised people by noting that despite population growth, the City of Prescott returned more water to the aquifer in 2017 than had been used—which is a “…positive thing.”
He cited data that since 2014, water usage has decreased about two percent on average annually. He said such conservation is necessary to sustain the future. He recommended the City of Prescott Rebate Program.
He also cited data showing in 2017, Prescott used 6,770 acre feet of water but returned to the aquifer 7,005 acre feet from lakes and effluent treatment plant.
Local water users can participate in the City of Prescott water conservation rebate program by meeting the rules and requirements of that program. Residents and businesses can qualify for up to $2,500 in rebates by replacing inefficient plumbing fixtures and eliminate or reduce high water use landscaping.
Ten Conservation Items That Qualify for Rebates
When implemented, the below items are eligible for rebates in the amount cited.
- Drip Irrigation Systems. Such systems must include an automatic timer, approved backflow device and drip irrigation installation–$75.
- Landscape Health Check: A certified landscape auditor must complete a landscape audit, including submission of a paid invoice–$75.
- Rainwater Harvesting: Install minimum of a 100-gallon capacity rainwater catchment tank or certified cistern–$.50 per gallon, up to a $500 maximum rebate.
- Turf Removal: Convert irrigated turf grass to water-saving landscaping. Minimum of 200 square feet of residential turf or 1,000 square feet of non-residential turf removal required–$.25 per square foot up to $400 maximum for residential, and $800 for non-residential/commercial.
- High efficiency toilets. Qualifying toilets must use 1.6 gallons or less per flush–$50.
- Commercial urinals. Qualifying units must use 1.0 gallons or less per flush–$50.
- Sprinkler Spray Head Replacement. No less than 12 units must be replaced–$2 per head up to $40 maximum.
- Leak Repairs. One-time benefit per property for eliminating leaks–$5 per leak, with a $25 maximum.
- Showerhead Replacement. Showerheads should not exceed 2.4 gallons per minute–$10.
- Other Water Smart Devices. Other qualified low-flow, low-tech devices–$10.
Leah Hubbard, City of Prescott water resource coordinator, said Water Rebate Applications can be completed electronically on the Internet by going to www.waterrebate.com; or by getting application materials at Water Resource Management Office, 201 S. Cortez.
Water Conservation Education Series Scheduled for Remainder of Year
Hubbard and her staff conduct “Water Smart—Drop by Drop” interactive education programs about water conservation and water supplies. Presentations are scheduled with a different topic each month for the remainder of the year. All are scheduled for noon on the third Wednesday of each month at the Prescott Public Library.
For more information about the WaterSmart Program, go to www.prescottwater.com or call 928-777-1645.
