Arizona grapples with an intense drought and sweltering heat, and the city of Scottsdale is taking firm action to conserve water. The Scottsdale City Council has unanimously voted to ban natural grass in the front yards of future single-family homes.

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This groundbreaking new ordinance, effective for houses constructed or permitted after August 15, represents Scottsdale’s commitment to innovative water Conservation. Brian Biesemeyer, executive director of Scottsdale’s water department, proudly stated that Scottsdale aims to set a regional example with this initiative.

Interestingly, the majority of Scottsdale’s water customers seem to be on board with this green endeavor. A survey conducted in June revealed an impressive 86% of respondents supporting the ordinance. The city council expressed their delight at this result, emphasizing the initiative’s alignment with the city’s existing water-saving programs for both residential and commercial spaces.

This is one among many attempts by Arizona to respond to the water scarcity issue exacerbated by rising temperatures, decreasing groundwater reserves, and persistent drought conditions. The Phoenix area is already experiencing construction limits due to the rapid decline in groundwater. The Arizona State Climate Office confirms that parts of Arizona have been dealing with a long-term drought since the mid-90s.

Before the grass-free ordinance, Scottsdale’s officials urged residents to cut down their water use by 5%. Government operations followed suit, reducing water usage by 9%. This collective effort reportedly resulted in savings of approximately 657 million gallons of water.

The ban on natural grass comes at a time when Arizona is experiencing extreme heat, with daily temperatures in Phoenix consistently hitting 110 degrees Fahrenheit. As scientists warn of a potentially record-breaking year in 2023 for global temperatures, Scottsdale’s proactive steps to conserve water underscores the importance of local actions in the face of a global climate crisis.

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