Desertscape (or xeriscape) uses efficient irrigation and low-water-use plants. It means less maintenance, lower water bills, and property value enhancement. Desert landscaping has become a popular way for people to cut outdoor water use by as much as 50%. 

DWA Before and After Photos

The Desert Water Agency project involved removing the traditional, water-consuming landscape to replace it with desert native plants.

Traditional outdoor landscaping accounts for about 70-80 percent of water use in our valley. By converting to desert landscaping, DWA has been able to save more than 50 percent of the water needed to irrigate our Operations Center, since 2007 when the project broke ground. 

The garden is also used for education. DWA invites members of the public to walk the sidewalk that meanders through the garden to learn more about what could work for them in their yards. The plants are identified by signage. 

Irrigation for the garden features drip and subsurface irrigation and uses recycled water from our Recycled Water Plant. The water feature also uses recycled water.