Let's Make Every Drop Count

WATER CONSERVATION

Drinking a glass of water-web.jpg
Using only what you need is not enough during a severe drought. We need everybody to do their part and use less than they need.

The City Council adopted Resolution 14-022, updating Section 13.20.076 - Water Conservation Policy.
As of November 23, 2015, City of Safford water usage has been reduced to Stage I Excessive Demand alert.

Customers are everything. Without your efforts, providing a secure water future is an exercise in futility. And now we need your help more than ever. Using only what you need is not enough during a severe drought that's not getting any better. Mandatory watering restrictions will help us save part of that much needed water, but we need customers to conserve even more.

Change Your Habits
Your attitude and actions are your most important tools to reduce your water use. You can save water every day by making just a few easy changes in your water use habits.
  • One simple way to save a gallon or two is to turn off your faucet while brushing your teeth or shaving. Maybe a gallon doesn't seem that important, but you are adding your efforts to thousands of other Arizonans!
  • Saving water outdoors is just as easy! Do you sweep or wash your driveway? Most garden hoses use 10 gallons per minutes, while a broom uses no water, so turn off the hose and grab a broom!
  • Age of your washing machine can make a difference. click here for details.
  • Toilet flushing is the single highest use of water in the home! more details

Fix Those Fixtures
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), an average household wastes roughly 10,000 gallons of water every year because of leaks, which is enough to fill a backyard swimming pool. Even a slow leak in a faucet or a toilet can save hundreds of gallons down the drain every day. Usually all that's needed to repair the leak are a few inexpensive parts, some simple tools, and a little time. The City of Tucson Water Department offers some easy fix-it information in their Homeowners' Guide to Using Water Wisely or you may want to visit the EPA's Fix a Leak page.

Capture Nature's Bounty
Even in our desert state we get rain which can be very valuable for our landscapes. If you are one of the many desert dwellers interested in how to capture and use rainwater, visit harvestingrainwater.com and the rainwater harvesting entry on Wikipedia.

Turn to Water-Saving Technology
As more home and business owners look for ways to lower their utility bills and become more "green", manufacturers have responded to consumer demand with innovative fixtures and appliances that are more efficient and less expensive. Many of these are part of the EPA's WaterSense program which sets water efficiency standards that manufacturers must meet in order to bear the WaterSense label. Much like the Energy Star power-efficiency program, purchasing a WaterSense certified fixture or appliance allows consumers to opt for products that save water and offer good performance.

Water Conservation Policy

The City Council adopted Resolution 14-022, updating Section 13.20.076 - Water Conservation Policy. As of November 23, 2015, City of Safford water usage has been reduced to Stage I Excessive Demand alert.

Violations of the Water Restrictions are as follows:

  1. First violation of any Stage drought restriction - WRITTEN WARNING
  2. Second violation of any Stage drought restriction at the same premises - $100 CHARGE
  3. Third violation of any Stage drought restriction at the same premises - $250 CHARGE
  4. Fourth and subsequent violation of any Stage drought restriction at the same premises - $500 CHARGE
Customers will be notified of any penalties/violations through the regular utility bill mailing process.

REPORT WATER WASTE
Have you seen an instance of water waste? Perhaps it is a broken sprinkler head or an irrigation system timer that is set to water too long. We would like to hear about it so we can contact the owners/operators and make them aware of the problem. In addition, chronic wasters will be fined.

Either send us an email or call us at (928) 432-4200. We will need the location and the date and time you observed the problem. It would be helpful if you included your contact information in case any follow up is needed, but you may also let us know if you would like your report to be anonymous.

MANDATORY WATER RESTRICTIONS

Proclamation 13-001
The City of Safford proclaimed a water emergency on Tuesday, February 26, 2013.
Resolution 14-022
 On November 23, 2015, The City of Safford reduced water restrictions to Stage I Excessive Demand alert. 

Stage I Excessive Demand alert: Water users are specifically encouraged to minimize waste in water used for irrigation, vehicle and pavement washing, construction, and other water consuming activities. No person shall wash paved areas such as drives, sidewalks, tennis courts, or basketball courts. Outside watering shall be prohibited between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Outside watering limited to two (2) hours on designated allowed watering days (see below): 

  • Properties with addresses ending in even numbers: 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, 10th, 12th, 14th, 16th, 18th, 20th, 22nd, 24th, 26th, 28th and 30th of each month. 
  • Properties with addresses ending in odd numbers: 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 11th, 13th, 15th, 17th, 19th, 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, 29th and 31st of each month. 
On your assigned watering day, follow the suggested watering times for plants and lawn. 

The water restrictions will remain in place until deemed by the City that a water emergency no longer exists.

Fines
The following penalties are imposed for violation of this Proclamation under the auspices of the City of Safford Municipal Code, Section 1.12.010:

Any persons violating these mandatory restrictions shall be issued a civil citation resulting in a $100 fine for the first offense, a $250 fine for the second and subsequent offense.

Read the full Proclamation.
 

Water Conservation Resources


Eastern Arizona Courier

Safford water restrictions still in effect