Fairfield Homes, Southern Arizona’s most sought-after luxury homebuilder, has been working to save Arizona’s underground water supply by implementing various initiatives to minimize homeowner’s water usage, promote sustainability, and increase awareness about the significance of responsible water management.

Groundwater is “physically available” for 100 years, according to the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) assured water supply regulations, which means Arizona has the infrastructure (both legally and physically) to maintain a 100-year assured water supply. And, like many others in Tucson, Fairfield Homes has been using innovative techniques over the years to ensure a sustainable future for the city, its residents, and the environment.

Our Water Conservation Efforts

Utilizing Low-flow Water Saving Devices

Utilizing low-flow water-saving devices, including toilets, shower heads, and sink faucets in all of our homes, on average, saves families 700 gallons of water per year, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Low-flow devices reduce water consumption without compromising functionality, offering our clients a water- and money-saving tool that maintains adequate pressure.

Benefits of Installing Low-flow Devices

• Reduced water waste: Low-flow devices limit water waste. The average low-flow fixture expels around half as many gallons per minute as a standard fixture. Add that up over time, and our clients save about a thousand gallons of water annually!
• Energy Savings: The less water you use, the less energy is required to heat it. The lower need to heat water leads to a reduction in the use of the water heater, extending its lifespan and putting less wear and tear on the device.
• Low utility bills: Low-flow devices will allow you to use less electricity and less water, leaving our homeowners with a decrease in the amount owed on their utility bills and more money in their pockets to use elsewhere within the house.

Adding Drip Irrigation

Adding drip irrigation to all of Fairfield Homes throughout Tucson has been an efficient and economical way to water the yards and gardens of our homesites. The University of Rhode Island states, “Drip irrigation has more commonly been used in commercial nursery and farm operations; however, homeowners are beginning to take advantage of its uses and benefits.” Drip irrigation is incredibly effective due to the emitters placed on the ground alongside plants, trees, and shrubs. Because moisture levels are kept at an optimal range, plant productivity, and quality improve with this watering method. Tucson News reported that the average rainfall for a Tucson monsoon is 5.55 inches in the summer, meaning drip irrigation is the perfect solution for greenery that may need more water than Tucson’s normal weather conditions can offer.

Benefits of Drip Irrigation

• Prevents disease by minimizing water contact with leaves, stems, and fruits on plants.
• Allows the rows between plants to remain dry, which reduces weed growth.
• Saves time, money, and water.
• Increases effectiveness on uneven ground.
• Reduces the leaching of water and nutrients below the root zone.

Planting Indigenous Greenery

Tucson, Arizona, has a wealth of native plants that create a diverse, colorful, and vibrant ecosystem well-adapted to the desert climate and evolved to survive with little water. According to the Arizona Native Plant Society Grow Native: Don’t Plant a Pest Project, “Growing natives can save money and help conserve a scarce resource.”

That’s why Fairfield Homes always surrounds each home site with indigenous greenery like saguaro, desert lilies, elephant trees, desert hollies, and so much more! Native plants thrive in the desert environment and do not need irrigation after they are established at home, saving our homeowners water and helping the city of Tucson conserve its limited groundwater resources. Plus, we believe using native plants helps our buyers feel connected to the surrounding desert.

Fairfield Homes is dedicated to conserving Tucson’s water supply by implementing various ways our homes reduce water consumption, and we hope to continue raising awareness with our buyers and in our community about the importance of sustainable water management. By prioritizing water conservation in our developments, we have shown time and time again that creating beautiful, functional homes is possible while minimizing their ecological footprint.

See yourself moving to Tucson in the near future? Contact us today by visiting fairfieldhomes.com or calling 520-214-7241. We look forward to making your dream home a reality!

Sources

https://new.azwater.gov/ama/tucson

https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/arizona-governor-pauses-water-supply-certificates

https://www.epa.gov/watersense/bathroom-faucets https://web.uri.edu/safewater/protecting-water-quality-at-home/sustainable-landscaping/drip-irrigation/