Avondale council approves new rebates for smart irrigation controllers and rain barrels

The Avondale City Council on June 16 approved adjustments to the city’s water conservation rebate program that add a residential smart irrigation controller rebate and expand rainwater-harvesting rebates for residents and businesses.

City Water Resources Manager Cole Peel told the council the proposal would add a “smart irrigation controller rebate for up to $100 per smart controller” (one per household) and a residential rain barrel rebate of up to $100 (up to two per household). Nonresidential users would be eligible for rain barrels up to $100 or larger cisterns up to $150. Peel said the changes target outdoor water use because “the majority of the water that a residential home uses is actually outside the home. It’s about 60 to 70% of their entire water usage.”

Nut graf: The changes are intended to help the city meet sustainability targets and to give residents tools to conserve water before monsoon season, while keeping Avondale competitive with nearby cities that already offer similar rebates.

Council discussion was brief and supportive. The council voted to approve the item; the motion passed (voice vote) with no recorded opposition.

The program is administered by the city’s conservation coordinator, Amber Hughes, who validates applications and required documentation, including receipts and photos. Peel also reviewed the AquaSmart program, a separate, WIFA-funded initiative that monitors participating residents’ water bills for a year and issues rebates if they achieve 10% or 20% annual savings; Peel said 13 residents have already received AquaSmart rebates and more enrollments are expected.

Ending: Officials said the rebate changes will be posted on the Avondale Water Conservation webpage with application instructions; staff contact information was provided during the presentation.