Avondale and Scottsdale Earn Platinum Designations through SRP’s 2024 Sustainable Cities Program

•  Avondale’s efforts include Green Business offerings and a Sustainable Water Supply Plan. 
•  Scottsdale’s efforts include being home to AZ’s first Advanced Water Treatment Facility, one of only three in the nation.

Salt River Project has recognized Avondale and Scottsdale as SRP Sustainable Cities for their commitment to sustainable growth while supporting SRP’s environmental policies and goals. Both cities earned the highest Platinum designation for their sustainable-focused assets and programs.

This is the second year of the Sustainable Cities Program, managed by the SRP Economic Development team and economic development consulting firm Boyette Strategic Advisors (Boyette). SRP was recently named a 2024 Top Utility in Economic Development by Site Selection magazine, recognized for its program offerings to community partners.

“SRP has helped drive the Valley’s growth for over a century,” said Karla Moran, Manager of Economic Development at SRP. “Aligning with our municipal partners on long-term planning, including responsible use of our state’s resources and defining sustainability-focused goals, has supported the area’s success across many industries.”

City of Avondale’s sustainability-focused efforts and programs that helped the city earn a platinum designation include an Avondale Community Sustainability Plan and Municipal Sustainability Plan. The City has also long offered a Green Business Program, and recently developed an Avondale Green Business Summit for seasoned eco-conscious entrepreneurs as well as those just starting to explore green practices. Avondale has also been recognized as a Tree City for 13 Years and has a Sustainable Water Supply Plan with a 100-year Assured Water Supply.

“Avondale is proud to be recognized for its sustainability efforts and is committed to further aligning its strategic initiatives with SRP’s comprehensive approach to water, energy, and sustainability,” said Cheryl Covert, Interim Economic Development and Tourism Director at the City of Avondale. “By collaborating with SRP, we aim to foster a more resilient and sustainable future for our community, ensuring responsible resource management and long-term environmental stewardship.”

City of Scottsdale’s sustainability-focused programs that helped the city earn a platinum designation include its Sustainable Scottsdale Award Program which awards Scottsdale organizations spearheading significant environmental advancement. The city is also recognized for the Scottsdale Water Campus, home to Arizona’s first Advanced Water Treatment Facility, one of the world’s most sophisticated recycled water facilities, and only third in the nation permitted for an advanced purified recycled water (direct potable reuse) demonstration program. Scottsdale is able to promote itself as a Gold Level Bicycle Friendly Community and as a Tree City for 42 Years. These programs, among others, help ladder up to Valley-wide sustainability initiatives championed by SRP.

"The City of Scottsdale fosters economic growth while prioritizing sustainability, and the SRP Sustainable Cities Program award is a testament to our success,” said Mayor David D. Ortega. “Scottsdale and SRP are aligned to integrate environmental practices which drive business prosperity and leverage taxpayer expenditures for water and energy for maximum community benefit. Thank you to SRP for supporting our vision of a vibrant, sustainable city."

The cities of Mesa, Phoenix and Tempe completed the program last year. The program provides a structure to assist cities in understanding and demonstrating their sustainability efforts to ensure future competitiveness in the national market.

The SRP Sustainable Cities program also helps the utility meet its own 2035 corporate goals including proactively partnering with communities and Tribal Nations on economic development initiatives as well as programs related to water, energy and sustainability.