MESA, Ariz. — The City of Mesa said it could save up to five million gallons of water per year by removing non-functional turf at public parks.
A $1-million grant from Arizona's Water Infrastructure Authority is allowing the East Valley city to start removing sections of turf in up to 50 parks and basins throughout Mesa.
The project will focus on removing grass that's adjacent to pieces of infrastructure and replacing it with landscape rock.
City officials said the project will reduce Mesa's irrigation usage at public parks, which could translate into substantial savings for the city's Colorado River allotments.
In 2022, Mesa declared a water shortage due to the Colorado River's drought conditions and began making plans to reduce the city's water usage by 5%.
Mesa expects to finish replacing the non-functional grass by early 2026.
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