Saving H2O Saves AZ HOA $100,000

In 2008, the Augusta Ranch HOA in Mesa, Arizona used about 61 million gallons and 2009 they used about 38 million gallons. And they saved about $100,000. The money saved will be put back in the landscaping to plant 40 new trees and update
existing plants.

Mesa, Arizona?EUR??,,????'???s water conservation department routinely pitches a conservation plan and budget to Home Owner?EUR??,,????'???s Associations to help them conserve. The Augusta Ranch HOA landscape committee chairman saw the foreclosures in his Mesa subdivision and knows that times are tough. He took the department up on the offer and found after consulting with Landmark Landscaping the HOA could cut watering times in half, not over seed as done in years past, and replace the sprinkler heads and immediately and started noticing the savings.

?EUR??,,????'??We?EUR??,,????'???re not just sitting on it,?EUR??,,????'?? McCall said. ?EUR??,,????'??We?EUR??,,????'???re pouring it back in, trying to improve because hopefully we?EUR??,,????'???ll use 36 million gallons instead of 38 million gallons and that will give us more money to make the place
look better.?EUR??,,????'??

McCall says most residents agreed with the conservation but not everyone. Some residents like one snowbird from Seattle said he missed the green grass. The city of Mesa is now holding Augusta Ranch up as a model HOA showing how, even in a tight economy, money can be saved. ?EUR??,,????'??You don?EUR??,,????'???t need to water everyday, because then you?EUR??,,????'???re getting a really shallow root system,?EUR??,,????'?? the department head said. ?EUR??,,????'??If you water less frequently you can get that water deep into the roots and have healthier plants.?EUR??,,????'??