Scottsdale, Ariz., a vibrant community known for its tourism, has implemented a successful water rebate program aimed at reducing water usage at a time when conservation is at the forefront. The program, which has been in place since the early 1990s, offers a variety of rebates to residential, business and homeowner association customers.

“From a city standpoint, we wanted holistic savings, with residents and businesses each working together to save as much water as we can,” Valerie Schneider, public information officer for Scottsdale Water, said. “That’s why we have voluntary practices.”

Though participation isn’t required, the water rebate program is a response to Arizona’s mandate requiring water conservation initiatives. In Schneider’s estimation, Scottsdale has taken the lead in implementing various conservation measures to address the ongoing mega-drought related to the shrinking Colorado River system. She said the city had already implemented conservation efforts in its buildings, but that was just the beginning.

“We want to stay on top of our water use as a city and encourage residents and businesses to do the same to take water conservation measures very seriously,” Schneider said. “So, this is a way to start to incentivize and get people and residents and businesses aware of what options they have for water saving. This is just one of the many programs we offer. This is not a catch-all – it’s just one of many programs.”

The rebate program covers a wide range of water-saving measures, including low-flow toilets, irrigation controllers, showerheads, pool or spa removal and grass removal. To participate in the program, residents or businesses submit their applications along with supporting documents such as receipts and photographs. From here, a team reviews the materials to ensure compliance with program requirements.

Grass removal is one of the primary water-saving practices in the area because as much as 70% of water usage in the area comes from grass. That’s why Scottsdale residents are encouraged to transition from overwatered grass lawns to desert-friendly landscapes, a practice known as “xeriscaping.”

Per the U.S. Department of Energy, xeriscaping refers to a systematic method of promoting water conservation in landscaped areas. Although mostly used in arid regions, its principles can be leveraged in any geography to help conserve water.

According to Schneider and as evidenced by its adoption, the program is resonating with residents and business owners. She attributes some of its popularity to media coverage and a related increased awareness of water scarcity.

Beyond earned media, the city uses other marketing channels to promote the rebate programs, including communication through billing channels, social media platforms and newsletters. By engaging stakeholders, Scottsdale aims to create a communitywide effort to conserve water resources.

To that end, she said the city reported a surge in applications for grass removal rebates. Schneider said the increased interest was also bolstered by the fact they doubled the incentive programs, from $1 a square foot to $2 per square foot.

Other data points frame a story around conservation in Scottsdale. The city has set an ambitious goal to save 5% of water annually, Schneider said. That’s building on the success of achieving a 6% city-wide average water savings in the previous year. The conservation program’s impact extends beyond immediate water savings, as the removal of grass through the rebate program can lead to long-term water conservation. For instance, each participant means 50 gallons of water savings annually.

Schneider said she believes this success can be replicated in other municipalities with intention and foresight. Looking ahead, Scottsdale plans to focus on targeting HOAs for grass removal and addressing nonfunctional grass areas that contribute significantly to water waste. The city also continues to underscore the importance of education and engagement to encourage people to be conscious of water usage and make sustainable choices. In her mind, Scottsdale’s water rebate program serves as a model for other cities, highlighting the importance of customized approaches to water conservation.

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