You’ve probably heard the city of Phoenix ask you to think about water and use it responsibly, but Phoenix has many more hands-on approaches to saving water through its 25 year-old Water Conservation Office, public awareness campaigns and customer services activities.

School programs, community events, videos, publications, working with restaurants and performing water audits are just a few of the ways Phoenix promotes responsible water use. Now, you may see a new way to get the water conservation message across – on your door!

New door hangers are appearing on properties where Phoenix Water Services staff spots a leak. According to Phoenix City Council member Claude Mattox, who chairs the city’s Land Use and Environmental and Natural Resources Subcommittee, “This is just another way to educate Phoenix water customers with information that can save them money, prevent a possible hazard and conserve this precious resource.”

Phoenix city code states you cannot discharge water into a street, alley or other right of way. The first time Phoenix workers see such a waste of water, the customer will get a friendly, but official door hanger with written information of the violation and solutions to fix the problem. A second complaint will result in a Water Investigation Report sent certified mail with a timeframe for resolving the situation and the consequences if you don’t comply. And, a third violation will initiate a Notice of Violation. If no action is taken to fix the situation, Phoenix could terminate your water service.

“We hope that never happens,” stated Councilman Mattox. “Our customers are great. Most comply very quickly and many don’t even know that a leak is occurring.”

Councilman Mattox also stressed that Phoenix’s water, sewer and trash bill, includes information to help a home or business owner learn about a possible leak through water consumption data that is current, shows the previous month’s figures and the numbers from the same time last year. If these numbers increase dramatically, it’s a good idea to check your property for leaks, particularly your toilets, landscaping lines, pool and indoor plumbing.

Log onto phoenix.gov/waterservices to learn more about how to conserve water and drain your pool properly. Also, watch WATERways on Phoenix Channel 11.