BEHIND THE
METER
O R O VA L L E Y W AT E R U T I L I TY N E W S L E T T E R
SPRING 2022
A MESSAGE FROM OUR DIRECTOR Having a safe and reliable water supply is an integral part of our community. It contributes to our public health, economic vitality, and quality of life. Conserving our water supply helps to ensure this resource is available for future generations. Many people agree that conserving water reflects a modern sensibility that can be linked to recycling and environmental preservation. While this is fundamentally true, modern day conservation efforts also include enforcement of local water use codes and policies, compliance with statewide regulatory requirements as well as public outreach and education. Peter Abraham, P.E. Water Utility Director
While the Utility applies a multi-layered approach to water conservation, our customers play a vital role in the conservation picture. Through the use of technology, education and public outreach your water utility staff works to provide new and better ways to serve customers and address conservation and high water use concerns.
The Utility has transitioned from offering in-office educational materials to more comprehensive free of charge services such as on-site/home water audits and the distribution of toilet leak test strips, aerator retrofits/shower heads, and other conservation devices. Additionally, the Utility is one of the few water service providers in Arizona that has moved away from manual meter reading to automated meter reading through the implementation of an Advanced Metering Infrastructure. This technology allows our customers to manage and monitor their water use online using the WaterSmart Customer Portal. Of our 21,000 water service connections, over 6,000 customers utilize this free water monitoring service with over 8,000 automated high water use and leak alerts sent in the past year. Together the AMI system and the WaterSmart service assist customers to save water and identify leaks faster than ever before. Additionally, the Utility invests in long-term conservation benefits with our expanded Youth Education Program that serves schools within Oro Valley and the Oro Valley service areas. In the Fall of 2021, over 650 students participated in the Utility’s Conservation Kids (grades 1-3) and Discover Our Water (grades 4-5) programs. Our community’s commitment to water conservation is evident. Residential & commercial water consumption are at historical lows. In fact, 55-78% of our residential customers fall within our lowest level of consumption. With the community’s strong conservation ethic, your water utility is better positioned today than it was 26 years ago to provide continued successful water service to you.
Looking forward,
Youth Education Program Source: Environmental Education Exchange
Peter Abraham Peter A Abraham, P.E. Water Utility Director
1 1 0 0 0 N L A C A Ñ A DA D R I V E | 5 2 0 - 2 2 9 - 5 0 0 0 | OV W AT E R @ O R OVA L L E YAZ . G OV | W W W. O R OVA L L E YAZ . G OV
B E H I N D T H E M E T E R | O R O VA L L E Y W AT E R U T I L I TY N E W S L E T T E R
SPRING 2022
TOTA L W AT E R P R O D U CT I O N BY Y E A R 12,000 9,354 AF
11,000
The Utility continues to successfully deliver Central Arizona Project (CAP) water and reclaimed water to reduce our community’s reliance on groundwater.
10,000 9,000
ACRE FEET
8,000 7,000 6,000 5,000 4,000 3,000 2,000
Groundwater production
1,000
CAP production
21
20
Reclaimed production
20
20
19
18
20
20
17
16
20
15
20
14
20
13
20
12
20
11
20
20
10
09
20
20
08
07
20
20
06
05
20
04
20
03
20
02
20
01
20
00
20
20
19
99
0
YEARS
WE’RE HERE TO HELP Customer Service is happy to assist with your water service account. Requests to start or stop service can be initiated over the phone at 520229-5000 or at OVwater@orovalleyaz.gov. Requests are processed Monday – Friday 8am to 5pm, excluding weekends and holidays. Please allow 48 hours to process your water service request. Oro Valley Water Utility recommends that you be home when your water service is turned on. If you are not home and water damage occurs from faucets left in the on position, faulty plumbing, fixtures, etc. the Oro Valley Water Utility will not be liable or responsible for property damage. Looking for additional information such as ACH forms or to request E-Billing online? Go to the blue “Payments” button at www.orovalleyaz.gov.
DO YOU KNOW WHERE YO U R W AT E R S H U T O F F V A LV E S A R E ? If you’ve ever had a water related emergency in your home or office, then you know that a burst water heater, broken service line, or toilet overflow can be a shock and may cause damage to your home and property. Take some steps now to prepare for potential water emergencies. Locate and tag main water supply valves to your home, irrigation, and other water using devices. Maintain the valves to ensure you can turn them on/off quickly and easily. Have an emergency supply of drinking water on hand. A little preparation may go a long way.
SPRING INTO SAVINGS This season is the perfect time to check over those water using appliances and devices. Make changes and repairs if needed to save water and help your budget. Monitor your water use online at orovalley.watersmart.com. SAVE WATER OUTSIDE
SAVE WATER INSIDE
Choose a variety of plants that are low water use and drought tolerant.
Test for toilet leaks with non-staining dye available free in our office.
Reduce irrigation by collecting rainwater and gray water for use on your plants.
Use a dish squeegee instead of rinsing dishes before washing. Available in our office while supplies last!
Use a pool cover to reduce evaporation.
Replace faucet aerators. Aerators and low flow shower heads are available in our office.
CONSERVE WATER IN YOUR COMMUNITY Before building a private pool, consider utilizing the community pool. Save water, energy and money!
1 1 0 0 0 N L A C A Ñ A DA D R I V E | 5 2 0 - 2 2 9 - 5 0 0 0 | OV W AT E R @ O R OVA L L E YAZ . G OV | W W W. O R OVA L L E YAZ . G OV