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​Water-Smart Landscaping Analysis: Optimizing Plant Selection for Tucson's Desert Climate
Reducing municipal water costs while maintaining property values through data-driven xeriscaping recommendations
Roles
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Data Engineer
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Business Analyst
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Data Analyst
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Data Visualization Specialist
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Project Manager
Tools Used
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Webscraper.io
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Google Sheets
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PostgreSQL
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DBeaver
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Tableau Public
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Perplexity.ai (data source research)
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Claude.ai (data cleaning assistance)
Timeline
Started: 7/15/2025
Completion: 7/26/2025
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Duration: 12 days (part-time)
Status
Complete
Skills Showcased
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Web scraping & SQL database design
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Statistical analysis & data cleaning
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Tableau visualization & storytelling
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ROI analysis & strategic planning
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Environmental domain expertise
BUSINESS CONTEXT & PROBLEM
Why This Analysis Matters
Tucson homeowners face rising water costs and increasing drought conditions, with landscape irrigation representing approximately 50% of household water usage. Traditional grass lawns consume thousands of gallons annually while xeriscaping offers a sustainable alternative.
Key Business Questions Addressed
Data Sources
Primary: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (251 plants scraped)
Supporting: University of Arizona drought-tolerant plant database, Arizona Department of Water Resources plant lists
Environmental: Tucson area soil and rainfall data, local nursery pricing
METHODOLOGY
Dataset Scope
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215 recommended drought-resistant plants
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30+ attributes per plant (water use, heat tolerance, bloom season, pricing, safety)
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7 distinct microclimate zones across Tucson metro area
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3+ local nursery availability tracking
Analysis Approach
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Built PostgreSQL database
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Performed SQL analysis for pattern identification
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Cross-referenced plant characteristics with local environmental conditions and microclimate requirements.
KEY FINDINGS & INSIGHTS
Game-Changing Discoveries for Water Conservation
BUSINESS IMPACT & RECOMMENDATIONS
Actionable Strategy for Water Conservation
Immediate Cost Savings Potential
Annual landscape water costs range $150-300 for traditional landscaping vs. one-time xeriscaping investment of $30-600, creating clear ROI within 2-4 years.
Tiered Implementation Strategy
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Starter Package: Focus on 54 rainfall-only plants for maximum water savings
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Balanced Approach: Combine rainfall-only + deep-watering plants for 72% irrigation reduction
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Full Transformation: Strategic placement across all microclimate zones
Municipal Program Recommendations
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Target moderate microclimate zones first (109 plant options = highest success rates)
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Provide budget-tier plant subsidies ($6-19 range) for maximum adoption
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Develop safety-focused family plant lists for community confidence
TECHNICAL IMPLEMENTATION
Data Engineering & Analysis Process
Interactive Tools & Future Analysis
PROJECT ASSETS & NEXT STEPS
View Live Analysis
[Link to Tableau Public Charts] - Visualizations showing water use breakdown, cost analysis, and seasonal bloom patterns
Future Enhancement Opportunities
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Expansion to include maintenance time requirements and wildlife habitat value
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ROI calculator integration with real-time water utility pricing
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Regional adaptation framework for other Southwestern metropolitan areas
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Mobile app development for on-site plant identification and selection
Supporting Documentation
[View Complete Project Repository] -
All data, documentation, and code on GitHub
[Download Methodology & Project Log] - Direct link to the PDF in your GitHub repo
[Get Homeowner's Comprehensive Guide] - Direct link to the guide PDF in your GitHub repo
Business Applications
This analysis framework can be adapted for water utilities, master-planned communities, and retail nurseries seeking data-driven plant recommendation systems.