The Town of Fountain Hills will soon begin a vital water conservation initiative, thanks to securing a significant grant that will help the town save nearly two million gallons of water annually.

The project is set to begin and involves a large-scale “turf conversion” at the busy intersection of Shea and Fountain Hills boulevards, according to Town of Fountain Hills Community Relations Director/PIO Mike Pelton.

“Plans call for transforming approximately 27,000-square-feet of irrigated grass lawn within the town’s right-of-way into natural desert landscaping,” Pelton said. “This will include planting drought-resistant trees and utilizing xeriscape techniques tailored to the region’s climate.

“Additionally, the current sprinkler irrigation system will be replaced with a more efficient drip irrigation system, significantly improving water use efficiency.”

The funding opportunity comes from the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona and the Water Conservation Grant Fund, a program designed to provide financial assistance to entities working to preserve Arizona’s water resources.

Town staff collaborating closely on the project includes the Parks Department, Public Works team and landscaping experts contracted to prepare the grant application and detailed design plans. The project aligns with key goals outlined in the Town’s 2020 General Plan, the 2022 Environmental Plan and the Arizona Department of Water Resources’ 4th Management Plan for the Phoenix Active Management Area.

Once completed, the turf conversion is expected to save roughly 1.7 million gallons of water annually.

“Residents may notice sprinklers watering the grass in the project area ahead of construction,” Pelton said. “Although it may seem counterintuitive to water grass destined for removal, the irrigation is necessary to ‘wake’ the Bermuda grass from dormancy. This step ensures effective removal.”

The project is expected to run through the end of November.

“The Town of Fountain Hills continues to lead by example in conserving water and protecting Arizona’s environment for future generations,” Pelton said.