Summary:
In 2022, the Arizona Legislature created the Water Conservation Grant Fund to help facilitate conservation projects across the state. As part of a larger investment in Arizona’s water supplies, this fund is targeted to make sure that water across the state is used effectively, efficiently, and sustainably.
In 2019, the Peoria Parks and Recreation Department created a Capital Improvement Program aimed at identifying sustainable approaches to water conservation in its landscaped areas. The Water Conservation Program has many tenets, to include: a 2018 and 2023 turf and irrigation study conducted by Aqua Engineering; irrigation system designs, repairs, and improvements; and master valve improvements. Chief among these designed tenets are the department’s turf reduction projects throughout the park assets.
The existing Capital Improvement Project (Water Conservation Program-CS00208) is a mechanism that the Parks and Recreation Department uses to manage its phased drought mitigation efforts, to include turf reductions, the 2018 and 2023 Turf and Irrigation Studies, as well as several irrigation system repairs and improvements. The proposed grant will serve as an immediate infusion of funding to ensure that the projects listed in the park’s prioritization are achieved.
The total project cost is $3,154,681. The grant was funded by the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority (WIFA) for $2,523,750, with a 25% match requirement of $630,937.50. The required matching funds are currently available.