Wilder was retained by the Villas at Rancho Sin Vacas (VSV) to provide guidance on how to move forward with common space irrigation. The current irrigation system has outlived its lifespan and has been extensively repaired, replaced in portions and modified since the original installation approximately 37 years ago. The system requires continual maintenance, and the Landscape Committee understands that the system is inefficient (is wasting water) and does not have the ability to track water use. The Landscape Committee also understands that the southwest must deal with the reality of rainfall received and a shrinking water supply. Many HOAs are re-assessing their irrigation use in the face of increasing water rates and the anticipated reduction in Colorado River allotment (CAP water) to the Tucson area.

There are many approaches to using water more efficiently in the landscape. Our preferred approach is to focus on the demand side of the problem. Replacing legacy landscapes with native, site-adapted plants is a win for water use as well as for the wildlife and ecology that has been disrupted by our historical landscapes. VSV is surrounded by stunning, un-irrigated desert that has been left largely unmolested. We are encouraging VSV to think about how we can adapt such a beautiful landscape into their community.

Wilder worked with the VSV Landscape Committee to assess their existing irrigation system and provide recommendations to reduce irrigation and upgrade the system to allow for flow sensing and more responsible water usage. As part of the project, Wilder GPS-located water meters, controllers and irrigation valves to assemble a base plan of the system (no construction documents of the system exist).

We also provided approaches for adapting the existing landscape to use harvested rainwater without supplemental irrigation and discussed the viability of existing plant material should irrigation be discontinued.