Mon 27 Jun 2005
The Arizona Republic started an in-depth series examining water issues in "rural" Arizona. The basic premise is that Arizona does not currently have sufficient water resources to support anticipated growth. There is concern in the valley that ground water pumping will adversely impact the surface water flows that provide water to the CAP. The series further examines how Arizona water laws allow "dry, wildcat" subdivisions in many unincorporated areas of the state. The use of water is a poignant topic. Prescott and Prescott Valley have recently purchased a ranch exlusively to pump groundwater to growing subdivisions, and the City of Flagstaff is considering similar measures. How should Arizonal manage our water resources to ensure continued, equitable distribution? The Republic stories, now archived, are
Here
Update: The Daily Sun ran a story today about BOR and ADWR conducting a comprehensive study on water availability in Northern Arizona.
Update 2: Today’s Daily Sun discusses the possibility that the Colorado River will drastically drop in production of water and power this century.
2 Responses to “Water in Rural Arizona”
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August 3rd, 2005 at 3:29 pm
Do we know ‘how much’ ground water exists in the state ? Where it exists ? Is there a regeneration of ground water ? If the answer is ‘yes’ how does the process work ? Does equitable distribution mean where it is needed OR where it can be afforded? How many deaths in Phoenix during the last heat wave were attributed to lack of water = dehydration = death ?
August 3rd, 2005 at 3:44 pm
We know that the Coconino aquifer is one of the largest in the Country, but we have no idea how fast it regenerates. Personally, I think that any municipality (PHX) that is concerned about “rural” groundwater pumping ought to first examine their use of water. How many green lawns are in the valley?