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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

  • Data Engineer

  • Business Analyst

  • Data Analyst

  • Data Visualization Specialist

  • Project Manager

Tools Used

  • Webscraper.io

  • Google Sheets

  • PostgreSQL

  • DBeaver

  • Tableau Public

  • Perplexity.ai (data source research)

  • Claude.ai (data cleaning assistance)

Timeline

Started: 7/15/2025
 

Completion: 7/26/2025

​

Duration: 12 days (part-time)

Status

Complete

Skills Showcased

  • Web scraping & SQL database design

  • Statistical analysis & data cleaning

  • Tableau visualization & storytelling

  • ROI analysis & strategic planning

  • 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

  • 215 recommended drought-resistant plants

  • 30+ attributes per plant (water use, heat tolerance, bloom season, pricing, safety)

  • 7 distinct microclimate zones across Tucson metro area

  • 3+ local nursery availability tracking

Plant Options by Microclimate Zone.png

Analysis Approach

  • Built PostgreSQL database

  • Performed SQL analysis for pattern identification

  • 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.

Current Landscape Water Cost.png

Tiered Implementation Strategy

  1. Starter Package: Focus on 54 rainfall-only plants for maximum water savings

  2. Balanced Approach: Combine rainfall-only + deep-watering plants for 72% irrigation reduction

  3. Full Transformation: Strategic placement across all microclimate zones

Municipal Program Recommendations

  • Target moderate microclimate zones first (109 plant options = highest success rates)

  • Provide budget-tier plant subsidies ($6-19 range) for maximum adoption

  • Develop safety-focused family plant lists for community confidence

Implementation Planning.png

TECHNICAL IMPLEMENTATION

Data Engineering & Analysis Process

Interactive Tools & Future Analysis

PROJECT ASSETS & NEXT STEPS

Succulent Leaves

Future Enhancement Opportunities

  • Expansion to include maintenance time requirements and wildlife habitat value

  • ROI calculator integration with real-time water utility pricing

  • Regional adaptation framework for other Southwestern metropolitan areas

  • Mobile app development for on-site plant identification and selection

Cactus_Garden_edited_edited_edited.jpg

Business Applications

This analysis framework can be adapted for water utilities, master-planned communities, and retail nurseries seeking data-driven plant recommendation systems.

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2025 Rachel Beeson. All rights reserved.  
This portfolio and its contents are for educational and professional showcase purposes only.

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