L-R: Phoenix City Council Vice Mayor Kesha Hodge Washington; Leslie Meyers, SRP Chief Water Executive and Associate General Manager of Water Resources; Susan Anable, Phoenix Market Vice President, Cox Communications. Photo courtesty SRP

How a partnership led by SRP and the James M. Cox Foundation is modernizing aging irrigation systems, conserving water and strengthening South Phoenix communities for the future.

In parts of South Phoenix, water has always been more than a utility – it has been a lifeline.

Neighborhoods such as Estrella-Rancho and Monte Vista Gardens grew up around private flood irrigation systems-built generations ago – some as early as the 1920s and others added in the 1970s. These systems nourished lawns, sustained shade trees, cooled streets, and preserved the character of these tight-knit desert communities. But decades later, the infrastructure that once supported daily life has become fragile, inefficient, and difficult to maintain.

That reality sparked the creation of Salt River Project’s Community Irrigation Revitalization Initiative (CIRI) – a community-focused effort to repair, modernize, and stabilize aging flood irrigation systems while keeping water affordable and accessible for residents.

Now, a $275,000 grant from the James M. Cox Foundation, awarded to the Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF), is helping ensure that this work reaches deeper and lasts longer. By supporting Phases 2, 3, and 4 of the project, and covering an estimated 40 percent of the repair and modernization costs, the grant plays a pivotal role in stabilizing aging private flood irrigation systems that many residents could not otherwise afford to fix.

“We are grateful for the generous grant from the James M. Cox Foundation that significantly increases the scope and scale of this vital work, demonstrating the power of partnerships to solve complex community challenges.”

— Elvy Barton, SRP Senior Manager of Water and Forest Sustainability.

REPAIRING THE PAST TO PROTECT THE FUTURE

Private flood irrigation systems in South Phoenix were never designed to last a century. Cracked channels and outdated designs have led to water loss, localized flooding, and safety concerns that are especially challenging for neighborhoods already facing economic barriers. CIRI tackles these issues head-on by providing upfront infrastructure upgrades and long-term irrigation support rather than abandoning flood irrigation altogether. Once current upgrades are complete, up to 238 homes will benefit, with improvements expected to save an estimated 76 million gallons of water over five years.

COX COMMUNICATIONS: A LOCAL PARTNER WITH DEEP ROOTS

Cox Communications and SRP share a long history of working together to support the communities they serve, guided by a shared commitment to sustainability, innovation, and long-term resilience. That established relationship helped lay the groundwork for Cox’s support of the Community Irrigation Revitalization Initiative (CIRI), aligning closely with both organizations’ focus on conservation and neighborhood stability.

“The James M. Cox Foundation’s investment strengthens an effort that reflects our shared dedication to sustainability and conservation – helping reduce water waste, protect neighborhoods from flooding, and preserve the green spaces that matter so much to this community. This collaboration underscores how powerful public-private partnerships can be in delivering meaningful, local impact.”

— Susan Anable, Phoenix Market Vice President, Cox Communications

THE LEGACY OF THE JAMES M. COX FOUNDATION

Named for the founder of Cox Enterprises, the James M. Cox Foundation carries forward a legacy grounded in service to community. The Foundation supports nonprofits that are addressing some of the most pressing challenges in the places where Cox employees live and work. Its focus on conservation, education, health, and empowering families closely mirrors the priorities at the heart of CIRI.

By funding multiple phases of the revitalization effort, the James M. Cox Foundation is helping safeguard wellestablished landscapes, reduce water loss, and ease the financial burden of maintaining aging infrastructure. The work preserves the character of historic irrigation neighborhoods while supporting practical solutions that allow these communities to remain vibrant, resilient, and rooted in place for generations to come.

A MODEL FOR ARIZONA’S WATER-SMART COMMUNITIES

CIRI also advances SRP’s goal of conserving 5 billion gallons of water by 2035, showing how localized infrastructure improvements can support regional sustainability targets. Importantly, once revitalization work is complete, longterm maintenance remains in the hands of the neighborhood – preserving local ownership and community resilience.

In South Phoenix, this approach is restoring more than irrigation channels – it is reinforcing the foundation for greener, cooler, and more connected neighborhoods for generations to come. Through the James M. Cox Foundation’s investment in this work and the long-standing partnership between Cox Communications and SRP, CIRI shows how publicprivate partnerships can come together to preserve community character, advance water conservation, and invest in a more resilient future for Arizona.