Presented for students, faculty, and guests during the 10th Anniversary Celebration of the School of Sustainability

1. Acknowledgments
I want to thank my supervisors Jeff Tannler, Einav Henenson,
Ruth Greenhouse, and the rest of the ADWR staff for their
continued support for my work and my professional
development. I couldn’t be more content with my time at
ADWR.
Introduction
As the Water Conservation Intern for the Arizona Department
of Water Resources (ADWR), the role consisted of assisting
with planning and implementation of water conservation
practices and supporting ADWR staff in water awareness
efforts. Responsibilities were later expanded to developing
infographics and pitches for future development of the
Department’s campaign and networking more partners and
organizations together for greater contributions.
Mission and Goals
ADWR’s role in securing long-term dependable water supplies
for all of Arizona’s communities has only intensified as we
enter our 17th year of drought in Arizona. Also included in the
Departments mission are to:
•Administer and enforce Arizona’s groundwater code and
surface water rights laws (except those related to water quality)
•Negotiate with external political entities to protect Arizona’s
Colorado River water supply
•Oversee the use of surface and groundwater resources under
state jurisdiction
•Represent Arizona in discussions of water rights with the
federal government
Arizona Water Awareness
Month 2016
The 2016 Water Awareness Month (WAM) campaign has been
built on years of success in educating Arizonans about water
conservation and enhancing awareness of the state’s most
precious resource. Outreach was focused mainly on social
media through daily posts on WAM’s Facebook and Twitter
pages to get all partners and invested stakeholders involved in
conversation.
• Facebook: Arizona Water Awareness Month
• Twitter: @WAMArizona
Multiple posts on both accounts are posted each day during
the month of April where tips, resources, and events are
promoted for citizens to get involved and invested in water
awareness. Infographics were created and modified to bring
more attention to specific topics that were dependent on the
day of the month.
ADWR and Sustainability
Challenges
Groundwater management is an important facet of the bigger
picture for a sustainable water supply in the State. With the
mentality of sustainability engrained into the Department’s core
values, it’s important to acknowledge the challenge of
communication and public image within ADWR.
When the mission for both Water Awareness Month and
Arizona Water Awareness is to provide as many resources and
opportunities as possible for our citizens, engaging with
different partners is important to include a diverse team of
professionals. City governments, both nonprofit and private
organizations, and other departments have to be included for
efficient promotion and awareness. But the issue arises that in
connecting all of these communities across the state, a sense of
locality is lost in the process. The challenge presented was that
the Department had to provide resources and events based on
vicinity through local organizations and partners while
maintaining the State’s outlook on water conservation in
Arizona. Resources and events prior were centralized in the
Phoenix metropolitan area, partially from our own office in
Downtown Phoenix, so extensive research and networking was
conducted to include other communities and municipalities
across the State. Reinforcing this outlook of inclusion and
collaboration supports the Department’s definition of
sustainability as it applies to sustainable water management in
Arizona.
Inclusivity of Water Conservation Resources and Practices in Arizona
Garrett Wong, B.S. Sustainability, Focus in Energy, Materials, and Technology - Arizona Department of Water Resources
Works Cited
Arizona Department of Water Resources. (2015). Arizona’s
Water Management Success. Retrieved from
http://www.azwater.gov/AzDWR/azwatersuccess.htm
United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2016).
WaterSense for Partners: An EPA Partnership Program.
Retrieved from
http://www2.ergweb.com/wspartner/promote/fix.html
Fig. 3. The Department’s
month long campaign for
increased water awareness
in Arizona started after
Executive Order 2008.
Fig. 4. The average American family loses over 10,000
gallons of water from household leaks, a number that
the department references when promoting water
conservation practices.
Thirty days of April allowed for thirty topics around water
conservation and awareness. From topics like “The Cost of
Bottled Water” to “The Power of Trees”, interested patrons
have the opportunity to review past or future topics based on
their specific interests. Water efficiency in your swimming
pools, low-water use plant lists, and information on local
riparian habitats are all included in this multitude of subjects.
Resources, tips, and events for each topic are created based
on their category:
•Activities - Events - Programs
•Appliances - Fixtures - Equipment
•Irrigation and Plant Watering
•Plants and Landscape Design
•Supply - Environment - Quality
•Water Basics
Fig. 5 and 6. Promoting
xeriscaping within Arizona
allows for both residents,
businesses, and state
departments to have a
platform for conserving water
in our residential landscapes.
Fig. 7. Arizona has been a visionary of long term water
planning, and we use less water today than in the late
1950’s despite a significant increase in state population.
For further information
Visit waterawarenessmonth.com or email
ghwong@azwater.gov for specific questions.
Fig. 1. Created in 1980, the
Arizona Department of
Water Resources continues
to plan for the future to find
more ways in keeping
Arizona hydrated.
Fig. 2. Arizona Water
Awareness is the
Department’s
yearlong central
source of information
about water submitted
by our conservation
partners.
Fig. 8. Outreach events were crucial in promoting water
conservation practices and activities for Arizona’s youth.
At the Tres Rios Nature Festival, children had their
knowledge of water put to the test.