HAZARDS AND PREVENTION
| Drought | Earth Fissures | Earthquakes | Floods |
| Thunderstorms/High Winds | Wildfires | Winter Storms |

DROUGHT

Arizona is especially sensitive to the adverse effects of drought. Water is scarce here even during wetter years and population growth continues to increase our demand for water. We may not be able to control the weather, but through proper planning and preparedness, we can greatly reduce the severity of impacts.

You can help reduce Arizona’s drought vulnerability by practicing a low water use lifestyle and implementing these basic tips:

COMMUNITIES/UTILITIES

• Communicate drought conditions, increase outreach and provide conservation tips to water users;
• Develop and implement a conservation program;
• Develop a drought plan;
• Improve infrastructure and storage facilities;
• Develop alternative/backup water supplies;
• Consider water wasting ordinances (such as turf restrictions, drought-related watering schedules);
• Increase use of reclaimed effluent for commercial landscaping, public facility landscaping, street sweeping, etc.;
• Develop and adopt a water rate structure that encourages conservation (higher rates for higher water use);
• Discourage developers from requiring turf in residential developments;
• Provide incentives for large turf users (golf courses, common areas of subdivisions) to use non-potable supplies (such as reclaimed effluent);
• Encourage restaurants to provide water only upon request; and
• Encourage hotel/motels to implement linen & towel replacement programs.

HOMES

• Landscape with drought-tolerant/low water use plants;
• Repair irrigation system leaks;
• Reset irrigation timers seasonally;
• Avoid outdoor watering during hottest part of the day;
• Eliminate runoff from property and reduce overspray from sprinkler systems;
• Comply with water wasting ordinances;
• Reduce discretionary outdoor water uses (home car washing, pool refills, etc.);
• Implement water harvesting practices (rainwater capture);
• Use commercial car washes that recycle water;
• Use covers to reduce evaporation from pools;
• Divert pool back wash to landscaping rather than discharging into the street or alley;
• Replace high water using plumbing and fixtures with low-flow fixtures; and
• Conduct home water audits and leak detection.  Fix leaking faucets and replace faulty fixtures.

| Drought | Earth Fissures | Earthquakes | Floods |
| Thunderstorms/High Winds | Wildfires | Winter Storms |