Communities should determine water-saving landscapes for new developments

This week, state senators will consider Senate Bill 1523, which would prohibit municipalities from requiring a minimum number of trees, shrubs, ground cover, and open spaces—including parks—for new subdivisions and other developments. In other words, developers would have an exclusive say on landscapes within a community. 

While we recognize the importance of water-wise landscapes, Senate Bill 1523 will not improve water conservation efforts. Instead, its sole advantage is to give developers a way to cut their landscaping costs.   

Until the 1980s, the Phoenix Valley was marketed as an oasis where newcomers could find lush, green landscapes despite being in the desert. Then, with the passage of the 1980 Groundwater Management Act and its requirements for municipal conservation, the AMWUA cities launched a regional program to help promote the importance and acceptance of desert-adapted trees and plants in our communities. With more than 50 percent of residential water use occurring outside, the AMWUA cities have focused on continually building robust and proactive conservation programs that incentivize desert-appropriate landscapes and common areas through various rebates and free classes and workshops.

Additionally, many communities, including the ten AMWUA municipalities, have implemented codes and ordinances to encourage efficient outdoor water use. Many already incorporate or promote the use of plants listed by the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) as lower-water-use and drought-tolerant.  

In the Phoenix area, these, among other conservation efforts, created a cultural shift in landscape preferences over time. In the 1970s, approximately 80% of single-family properties had majority grass landscapes; today, in the City of Phoenix, less than 9% do. This conservation ethic has led to greater efficiencies, which has contributed to the AMWUA cities still using roughly the same amount of water today as they did in 2000 despite adding over one million people. 

Municipal water providers in Arizona’s most populous areas are experts in developing low-water-use landscapes that are not just gravel or sand. Research shows that installing appropriate desert trees and plants is crucial for the livability of our communities. Desert-adapted trees that thrive in our climate provide shade and help reduce home cooling costs. Trees, ground cover, and other forms of vegetation help combat the heat island effect and play a vital role in dust abatement and improving air quality. Furthermore, trees and other plants enhance property values and create curb appeal, making our neighborhoods more desirable places to live. The communal benefits of these landscaping measures make them water-wise investments. 

AMWUA and its members have been and will continue to be at the forefront of efforts to reduce outdoor water use and promote water-efficient landscapes that provide a variety of benefits to communities. 

Senate Bill 1523 imposes restrictions that will result in minimal if any, water savings while paving the way for unsustainable communities. Legislation should seek to maximize the well-being of our communities, not just the profit of developers.