PHX Reporter

On June 13, the Phoenix City Council unanimously approved the “Sustainable Desert Development Policy” that Mayor Kate Gallego has been leading on since early in 2022. These new policies come after years of ongoing work to ensure Phoenix is growing responsibly amidst the West’s ongoing drought. Earlier this year, in her State of the City address, Gallego highlighted her efforts to create these new guidelines. Today’s vote reflects the City’s commitment to facilitate and support much needed housing while also advancing drought management and water conservation goals.  

"Our vote today has been years in the making and reflects Phoenix’s intentional, comprehensive approach to protect our water resources,” said Mayor Gallego. “Our Sustainable Desert Development policy demonstrates that in the face of concerns about water security in the West, we are not resting – we are working, and we are innovating. Together with our suite of conservation programs, these strategies will safeguard our precious water supply for decades to come.”

Today’s new conservation guidelines come in the form of rezoning stipulations, which include regulations on non-functional turf, a mandate to meet EPA WaterSense or similar certification, planting of drought-tolerant and native plants, outdoor irrigation standards, enhanced standards for swimming pools, and more. After this week’s vote, the City’s Planning and Development Department will roll out these draft stipulations and collaborate with applicants about how, when, and where they should be utilized.  

The stipulations were based on a framework derived from the city’s work with the Verdin development, a residential neighborhood in North Phoenix that embraced water conservation measures. Collectively, the homes in Verdin will use 55 million fewer gallons of water every single year than a standard subdivision. Even more significantly, their preservation of natural desert landscaping will save nearly 80 million gallons of water per year.

The City Council’s vote builds upon decades of water-forward policies in Phoenix that benefit the region. The new stipulations go hand-in-hand with the City Council’s recent vote to leave up to 150,000 acre-feet of water in Lake Mead over the next three years, as well as with Gallego's recent announcement of the creation of an Advanced Water Purification facility that will recycle nearly 60 million gallons of water per day.  

To see the Sustainable Desert Development Resolution passed today, click HERE.

For more information on Phoenix’s water conservation programs, click HERE.  

Original source can be found here.