Seasonal Tips:

winter
Winter in the low elevation climate zone is mild, with only occasional hard frosts that do not usually occur past mid-February. Winter rains storms are less intense than those in summer; they last longer and engulf large portions of the region.


• Adjust irrigation and watering schedule for cooler winter temperatures and shorter days-generally to about 1/3 of the summer frequency.
  
  
• Reduce irrigation to trees and shrubs to one deep watering of the root zone per month.
  
  
• Collect winter rainfall from your roof by installing gutters and downspouts, and direct rainwater to your plants.
  
  
• Turn off automatic watering systems when it rains, or install a rain sensor to do this automatically.
  
  
spring
Spring in the low elevation climate zone is mild, with temperatures warming significantly in May, one of the driest months of the year.


• Adjust irrigation and watering schedule for warmer temperatures and plant growth, especially the typically dry month of May.
  
  
• Apply mulch around the base of plants to conserve moisture and prevent weeds.
  
  
• Reduce the flow of bleed-off water discharged from evaporative coolers, and use it to irrigate plants that are not sensitive to the salts.
  
  
• Turn off sprinklers and postpone watering on windy days to reduce evaporation loss.
  
  
summer
Summer in the low elevation climate zone is very hot, and early summer is very dry. The monsoon (mid-June to the end of September) brings spotty, intense thunderstorms of short duration.

Click on the TIPS and RESOURCES TABS for more information about Irrigation and Plant Watering.


• Adjust irrigation and watering schedule for hot summer temperatures, especially the the dry month of June.
  
  
• Collect monsoon rainwater from your roof by installing gutters and downspouts, and direct rainwater to your plants.
  
  
• Water plants early in the morning to reduce evaporation.
  
  
• Reduce the flow of bleed-off water discharged from evaporative coolers, and use it to irrigate plants that are not sensitive to the salts.
  
  
• Turn off automatic watering systems when it rains, or install a rain sensor or smart controller to do this automatically.
  
  
fall
Fall in the low elevation climate zone is warm to mild. Summer monsoon thunderstorms generally die down by the end of September, and temperatures cool in November.


• Adjust irrigation and watering schedule when the temperature cools --- usually in November.
  
  
• Collect late monsoon rainwater from your roof by installing gutters and downspouts, and direct rainwater to your plants.
  
  
• Water plants early in the morning to reduce evaporation.
  
  
• Reduce the flow of bleed-off water discharged from evaporative coolers, and use it to irrigate plants that are not sensitive to the salts.
  
  
• Turn off automatic watering systems when it rains, or install a rain sensor to do this automatically.
  
  

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My Town’s Water Planning Area
My town is in the Phoenix active management area. Approximately half of the total water use in this area is by the municipal sector, and half is by agriculture and industry. Water storage reservoirs and the CAP allow for a relatively high proportion of surface water use in some places. Approximately 30% of the total water supply is groundwater. This area is drained by the Gila River and four major tributaries---the Salt, Verde, Agua Fria and Hassayampa rivers.

Large municipal water providers in this area include:
Adaman Mutual Water Co.
Arizona Water Co. - Apache Junction - Superior - White Tanks
Berneil Water Co.
Carefree Water Co.
Cave Creek Water Co.
Chaparral City Water Co.
City of Avondale
City of Chandler
City of El Mirage
City of Glendale
City of Goodyear
City of Mesa
City of Peoria
City of Phoenix
City of Scottsdale
City of Tempe
City of Tolleson
Clearwater Utilities Co.
Desert Hills Water Co.
Diversified Water Utility Co.
EPCOR - Sun City West - Agua Fria - Sun City - Paradise Valley
H2O Water Co.
Litchfield Park Service Co.
Luke Air Force Base
New River Utility Co.
Pima Utilities
Rio Verde Utilities
Rose Valley Water Co.
Sunrise Water Co.
Town of Buckeye
Town of Gilbert
Town of Queen Creek
Valencia Water Co.
Valley Utilities Water Co.

My Town's Climate Zone:
My town is in the Low Elevation Climate Zone. This zone consists of deserts ranging from 100 to 3,500 feet. Annual precipitation ranges from 3 to 12 inches.

More Info:
Maricopa County Cooperative Extension Office
The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension offices translate research-based information to help people solve real, everyday problems and improve the quality of life. Several programs address water use, landscaping and gardening.

Map of Arizona's Groundwater Basins - See page 14 for a color map of Arizona's counties and 51 groundwater basins.

Arizona Drought Reports - See monthly and quarterly updates about Arizona's drought status.

Future Water Demand and Supplies - Learn about your groundwater basin's current and potential future water supplies.

Aquifer Groundwater Levels - Use the Groundwater Inventory (GWSI) to find the water levels of wells within Arizona's groundwater basins.

Surf Your Watershed - Find your watershed and organizations that are working to protect water quality.