Fairhope, AL enhances water resiliency with innovative utility interconnection
The City of Fairhope is partnering with neighboring Daphne Utilities to increase Fairhope Utility's capacity by 500,000 gallons of water in the event of an emergency. By interconnecting water systems, Fairhope ensures a reliable supply of water during emergencies.
Fairhope, AL
United States
Blacktown, NSW develops first-in-Australia program for Water Sensitive Urban Design compliance
Blacktown's long-standing inspection program proved ineffective at finding mismanaged WSUD device use. The council piloted a new program whereby 20 randomly chosen properties were required to report on the conditions of 337 WSUD devices. This pilot included the development of an education toolkit on legal requirements and device maintenance. Local officials anticipated reductions in pollutants entering waterways thanks to well-maintained biofilters, rainwater tanks, and litter traps.
Blacktown, NSW
Australia
Tucson, AZ One Water 2100 Plan supports a multi-faceted approach to water quality and conservation
The plan aims for reliable and high-quality water across all sources used in Tucson. An interactive Responsible Desert Dweller Guide explores the past, present, and future of water stewardship in the region. A toilet rebate program and free water conservation kits distributed WaterSense-approved products to 5,000 households. Tucson City Council also approved an ordinance requiring fixtures with the WaterSense label in new construction projects.
Tucson, AZ
United States
Boerne, TX Water Dashboard encourages smart water consumption and conservation with current data
Boerne developed the dashboard for data-driven decisions on water use by a growing population. An interactive map includes layers detailing wells, stream gages, precipitation forecasts, and drought levels. Dashboard users select their utilities for current water conservation statuses and recommended activities. Additional features of the Boerne Water Dashboard include annual demand charts, water flow or storage trends, and daily water reclamation averages.
Boerne, TX
United States
Phoenix, AZ deploys Sensor Industries devices for its toilet leak detection pilot program
City officials identified leaky toilets as a leading source of water loss in Phoenix. The pilot adds SI-Toilet sensors to restrooms in select city facilities, businesses, and college residence halls. SI-Toilet sends real-time leak alerts to maintenance staff for repairs and SI-Dash for system-wide monitoring. Leak detection technology is part of a Sustainable Desert Development Policy including drought-tolerant planting, improved irrigation, and efficiency checkups.
Phoenix, AZ
United States
Newmarket, ON conducts Leak Detection Program trial using newly installed water meters
Newmarket is replacing all of its residential and commercial meters with wireless devices for more accurate readings. The Leak Detection Program monitors water consumption data at select addresses with new meters for continuous use or usage spikes. Suspected leaks lead to outreach by the town to affected addresses for timely repairs. Local officials estimate CAD 400 in savings per fixed leak and an average repair time of five days compared to 120 days with manual inspections.
Newmarket, ON
Canada
Chilliwack, BC rewards water conservation efforts by households with its Ugliest Lawn Contest
Local officials found lawn watering accounted for 30% of all water use in summer, placing a strain on the Sardis-Vedder Aquifer. The three-month Ugliest Lawn Contest asks property owners within city limits to maintain their lawns without water. Residents email photos of their unwatered lawns or alternatives like vegetable and rock gardens as proof of participation. Visa gift cards worth CAD 50, CAD 100, and CAD 150 will be awarded to the most creative or effective projects.
Chilliwack, BC
Canada
Sunshine Coast, QLD achieves environmental and economic savings with smart irrigation system
The council installed 32 automated irrigation units in parks and community spaces. Water sensors monitor precipitation and weather forecasts in determining eco-friendly uses of sprinklers. The system includes flow meters for quick identification of leaks and other maintenance issues. Sunshine Coasts anticipates the installation of at least 38 more units by 2030, thus expanding the system's impacts on green spaces.
Sunshine Coast, QLD
Australia
Phoenix, AZ collaborates with Venture Café Phoenix on innovation challenge for water access
The city's first innovation challenge sought ideas for expanding public access to cold drinking water. Teams of up to six members developed their concepts during a five-hour hackathon. Participants presented their ideas to a panel of judges during a pitch competition open to the public. The winning team received $3,500, while the runners-up split $1,500 in cash. Phoenix and Venture Café Phoenix also promoted winner, runner-up, and audience choice solutions.
Phoenix, AZ
United States
Christchurch City Council, NZ evaluates the impacts of eClean Bioreactor on waterway health
The Smart Christchurch team worked with device inventor Ngarie Scartozzi on a real-world trial on the Ōtākaro Avon River. The eClean Bioreactor is powered by solar panels and filters water through an internal microbiome. This treatment process removes E.coli, nitrates, and phosphates from the water supply. Christchurch and Scartozzi are measuring the device's effectiveness before expanding its use to areas including local farm drainage.
Christchurch City Council, NZ
New Zealand
Scottsdale, AZ automates and improves water conservation efforts with WC-Tool app
The city's Water Conservation Office worked with Arizona State University and AWS on the app's development. This new tool analyzes satellite images, GIS maps, and other data for quick analysis of a lot's water needs. Conservation specialists can consult with residents about water budgeting by phone rather than conducting in-person inspections. The WC-Tool also standardizes consultations that previously required manual reviews of land use plans and water needs.
Scottsdale, AZ
United States
Santa Monica, CA puts stormwater to better use with its Sustainable Water Infrastructure Project
SWIP connects a stormwater harvesting tank to an advanced water treatment system under a public parking lot. This system can treat up to one million gallons of water each day and store up to 1.5 million gallons. Stormwater and runoff treated at SWIP are sent for use in irrigation, aquifer recharging, and toilet flushing. Santa Monica diverts 100 million gallons of untreated water from the bay each year and produces 10% of its annual water supply with SWIP.
Santa Monica, CA
United States