WaterSmart Receives
"Best of Tucson" Recognition

WaterSmart, the Residential component of the SmartScape Program, was picked "Best of Tucson" (September 27, 2007) by the staff of Tucson Weekly. Winner in the category "Best Way to Learn the Ways of the Desert", the WaterSmart classes teach homeowners the basics of landscape water conservation through informative workshops based on the principles of xeriscape. Approximately 500 residents of Tucson and surrounding areas attend classes each year to learn techniques and applications for water-efficient landscaping compatible with the urban desert landscape. For more information, please contact the SmartScape Program Office at 626-5161.

WaterSmart Workshop Schedule

So many of our city's residents come from other areas of the country, and when they purchase a new or existing home, they have many questions about how to create a pleasing landscape, and how to water that landscape! Tucson Water sponsors this popular lecture series offered through Pima County Cooperative Extension that helps residents answer those questions. The SmartScape Program promotes attractive landscaping with water conservation. WaterSmart lectures help the homeowner whether they are going to hire an installation crew, do the install themselves, or have an existing system that needs maintenance or upgrades. The following is a brief description of each class currently scheduled.

• Basic Landscape Maintenance
  This lecture-format workshop teaches basic horticultural care for the residential landscape. Topics include seasonal pruning, fertilizing, and watering. Participants will learn how to create a maintenance schedule for their landscape.
• Desert Rain Gardens
  This class introduces the concept of creating a water-thrifty landscape that relies on seasonal rainfall and rainwater harvesting techniques rather than supplemental irrigation with potable water. Design tips, plant selection and considerations, and plantings for berms and basins are discussed.
• Desert-wise Landscaping
  This lecture teaches basic landscape design through use of Xeriscape principles and focuses on practical considerations for using native and desert-adapted plants in the landscape. This very popular class is a must for new homeowners and winter visitors.
• Harvesting Rainwater for Landscape Use
  This lecture-format class focuses on simple earthworks techniques, hardscapes, and plant choices for passive water harvesting. The homeowner learns how to use natural rainfall to offset irrigation use, resulting in water conservation and lower water bills.
• Residential Landscape Irrigation
  This Hands-On workshop is designed to teach participants how to assemble a basic drip irrigation system, maintain it, install a timer and develop a schedule an automated irrigation system. Each participant receives a box of parts (for use during the class) and learns how to correctly identify and assemble the parts. Programmable irrigation timers are also provided for in-class use to demonstrate ease in setting an irrigation clock.

For information on Arizona tax credits for water conservation systems, please see Arizona Department of Revenue Publication 565, Water Conservation Systems and Plumbing Stub Outs Credits (152 Kb pdf - opens in new window/tab): http://www.azdor.gov/brochure/565.pdf

All lectures are currently scheduled to be held at:
Pima County Cooperative Extension
4210 N. Campbell Avenue
Tucson, AZ 85719
(520) 626-5161

Seating is limited, so please call to register.

These WaterSmart lectures are a joint program of the University of Arizona Pima County Cooperative Extension and Tucson Water. For more information on these classes or others offered through the SmartScape Program, please call the SmartScape Program Office at (520) 626-5161 or visit online at http://ag.arizona.edu/pima/smartscape/.

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Source: City of Tucson, Water Department  ◊  ◊  ◊  Last Revised: 16 August 2010
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