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Tapping Into More Savings – Free Upgrades for Multifamily Properties

Tucson Water has offered rebate programs for over 15 years, helping customers make their homes and businesses more water efficient—and together, we’ve saved 6 billion gallons of water! Multifamily properties like apartment complexes and HOAs can also participate but reaching tenants who don’t hold water accounts poses a unique challenge.

With federal funding from the Arizona Water Infrastructure Finance Authority (AZ WIFA), Tucson Water is launching a new conservation program to provide free upgrades for water-efficient fixtures and appliances in low-income multifamily properties.

Managing water use in these buildings can be difficult. Leaks may go unnoticed, and old, worn-out fixtures are often costly to replace. Installing water-saving features typically requires upfront investment—something many property owners struggle to afford, especially when serving tenants on fixed incomes.

The Free Upgrades for Multifamily Properties program supports property owners and managers with up to $170,000 to improve water efficiency, lower utility bills, and enhance residents’ comfort. Funding covers the full cost of high-efficiency toilets, showerheads, bathtub diverters, kitchen and bathroom faucets, dishwashers, and clothes washers—including installation.

To make participation easier, Tucson Water offers multiple options. Properties can choose their own contractor and receive a rebate after installation or use a City-selected contractor to avoid upfront costs. Either way, the upgrades deliver immediate water savings.

For a limited time, funding is available to upgrade at least 600 multifamily housing units built before 2006 or currently using outdated fixtures. Priority is given to properties that primarily serve low-income residents.

If you are a multifamily property owner or manager looking to save water and lower costs—or a tenant in need of water-saving upgrades—learn more on our website.

Tucson Water also offers low-income conservation programs for residents and mobile homeowners, including:

• Free toilet replacements and emergency plumbing repairs
• Discounted clothes washers
• Grants and loans for rainwater and gray water systems

Visit: https://www.tucsonaz.gov/Departments/Water/Conservation/Low-Income-Conservation-Programs

Email: conservation@tucsonaz.gov

Call: (520) 791-4331

Conservation Tip

Winter Grass Costs a Lot of Green. Skip the Seed and Save Money.

It may be hard to imagine winter weather in August, but planning for cool season grass begins in the summer with the decision of whether to overseed in the fall. Overseeding is the practice of adding ryegrass seed to a lawn, which keeps lawns green despite their natural inclination to go dormant during the short winter months. Oftentimes, the drawbacks of overseeding your Bermuda grass, including significant water use, outweigh the benefits, especially here in the desert.

Save Water

Overseeding will use a LOT more water than normal grass would during the winter. The first step when overseeding is to germinate the seed, which requires constant watering, three or more times per day.  An estimated 8,000 gallons of water is required for every 1,000 square feet of grass each season, while the same amount of dormant grass will only require around 500 gallons. With the Colorado River basin in a long-term drought, every gallon counts.

Save Money

Maintaining a healthy grass lawn takes a lot of time and work, often becoming an expensive endeavor. Foregoing winter grass will result in significant savings on labor, seed, fertilizer and water, which are all required to have a green winter lawn. Rye seed is only getting more expensive, and your water bill will spike during the fall and early winter months. Water use in winter months (December, January & February) is used to calculate sewer rates the following year, so winter grass may cost you more all year.

Save Grass

Overseeding may make your grass look greener for a few months, but typically the dormant Bermuda grass will suffer. During the spring transition, winter ryegrass will compete with the Bermuda grass for water and sunlight, leading to a patchy and unsightly lawn. If you forego the winter grass, your spring, summer, and fall grass will become much healthier and more attractive.

To learn more about overseeding and the benefits of foregoing a winter lawn, visit our webpage.

City of Tucson
Environmental Services

HHW Resumes September

Did you know our monthly Household Hazardous Waste events accept electronic waste like printers and computers? Over 700 cars drove through to safely dispose of materials at the last HHW event! This summer, residents can drop off household hazardous waste Thursday through Saturday at the Los Reales Sustainability Campus or visit Pima County landfill locations for additional drop-off options. Drop off your e-waste to keep it out of the landfill and ensure it is properly recycled.

Pima County
Wastewater Reclamation

Sewer Fee Increase Begins with August Bill

Due to rising costs of operation and maintenance, the Pima County Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department recently raised its sewer rates. The Pima County Board of Supervisors approved the wastewater user fee increases on June 17 and customers should see this increase on their August billing cycle.

Water Matters is a monthly newsletter brought to you by Tucson Water