Chandler promotes sustainability through many practices, services and programs to prepare for the future. It is through innovations in infrastructure, processes and technology that we continue to develop new ways to serve more effectively and efficiently.
Arbor Day Recognition
Chandler attained Tree City USA status from the Arbor Day Foundation for the 12th year and we earned their Growth Award for the second time.
Chandler also was honored by the International Society of Arboriculture Western Chapter for the most Unique Arbor Day Celebration.
Native Plant Center
The Chandler Nature Center was awarded $50,000 in grant funding to remodel the community garden into a native plant education center.
The remodel began in October 2024 and will be completed in fall 2025.
Tree Inventory
The city’s Park Operations Division completed the first urban forest tree inventory. The results of the inventory help guide Chandler’s tree planting and maintenance strategy to ensure the balance of tree diversity within the community as well as the long-term care plans for trees.
- Results: 15,594 active trees
- New trees planted: 44
Installation of Advanced Water Meter Infrastructure
The City of Chandler is transitioning water meters from Automated Meter Reading to Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI).
With AMI, customers will be able to view and manage their daily water consumption data, receive leak detection alerts and water system notifications and pay their monthly bill through a customer portal.
A total of $1.2 million in federal and state grants will be used for this project.
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements
Upgrades and improvements were made at two of the city’s wastewater treatment plants - the Ocotillo Water Reclamation Facility and Airport Water Reclamation Facility. Improvements also were made to the Pecos Surface Water Treatment Plant Administration Building and Lab along with high-rate water filter testing and a water filter structural assessment.
Chandler partnered with Intel to complete the Reclaimed Water Interconnect Facility, located at the Airport Water Reclamation Facility. It is an advanced membrane water treatment facility constructed to treat up to 10 million gallons of surface water daily from the Salt, Verde and Colorado Rivers. That water, delivered via Salt River Project canals, is treated to A+ standards and then used to recharge the city's underground aquifer storage, as well as provide water for industrial cooling use at Intel's expanded facilities in south Chandler.
Technology Use Earns National Awards
Chandler received two national awards from the Center for Digital Government, ranking second in both awards for its innovative use of technology among cities with populations between 250,000 and 500,000 residents.
The Government Experience Award encompasses the full experience of digital services delivered to residents with a focus on optimizing the customer experience across multiple channels. The Digital Cities Award recognizes cities for using technology to tackle challenges, enhance services and strengthen cybersecurity.
These awards enable Chandler to benchmark technology priorities, operations, accomplishments and innovations against other cities of similar size. Key projects implemented in 2024 included enhancing public safety with reduced response time by integrating real-time geographic mapping between 9-1-1 callers and the location of public safety personnel. Chandler also deployed Multifactor Authentication and other cybersecurity threat detection and management solutions.
Lighting and Facility Updates
Chandler continued its conversion to energy-efficient lighting systems by converting lighting systems to LED at the Chandler Boys and Girls Club basketball court and Tumbleweed Recreation Center basketball court and courtyard. Electric vehicle charging stations also were installed at the City Hall Parking Garage.
Space utilization updates were made at two city buildings to optimize space for staff and services. Security camera upgrades were made to multiple city facilities.