WATER CONSERVATION

Chandler Council approves xeriscaping redesign

John Knudson, Chandler’s public works and utilities director, explains a $440,000 xeriscaping redesigning plan to the City Council at a Feb. 22 meeting. He said replacing grass in drainage areas with more desert-native shrubs and trees could save the city 20 million gallons of water and more than $50,000 each year.

Courtesy of City of Chandler

John Knudson, the city of Chandler’s public works and utilities director, seems optimistic about a plan approved Feb. 22 to replace some grass in the city with xeriscaping.

Knudson spoke before the Chandler City Council approved a $440,000 contract with J2 Engineering & Environmental Design LLC for the design phase of a three-year project in which grass will be removed from about 58.5 acres of city-maintained landscaped drainage basins, replacing it with more desert-native plants and trees.

“Calculations show the city will in the vicinity of 20 million gallons less water each year, which would be in the vicinity of a cost savings of more than $50,000 in water bills per year, and on the maintenance side as well,” Knudson said.

The hand-drawn circles on this map show the drainage areas where city staff want to replace grass with xeriscaping. John Knudson, Chandler’s public works and utilities director, said the plan for the city-maintained, non-park areas, which are mostly irregularly shaped and run alongside streets, could save the city 20 million gallons of water and more than $50,000 each year.

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