ARIZONA WATER

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ARIZONA WATER GROWTH

• League of Cities and Towns
• August 29, 2007

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Water Supply of Arizona
Colorado River 2.8 MAF
Salt River 1 MAF
Groundwater 2.9 MAF
Gila River 0.4 MAF
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Arizona Water SupplyAnnual Water Budget
8.1 maf
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Consumption
Sources ADWR, UofA, USGS
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Groundwater Management

• Prior to 1980 on a collision course Classic
  Tragedy of the Commons.
• Inspired Leadership and Involvement of the
  Governor, key leaders in Legislature, CEOs and
  Principals in Agriculture, Mining and
  Municipalities.
• Result Groundwater Management Act or The Code

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Groundwater Management

• The Code has 2 primary goals
• Control Overdraft and return to sustainable
  position of safe yield by 2025 and
• Allocate the states limited groundwater
  resources to meet changing needs.

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Groundwater Management

• Active Management Areas
• Irrigation Non-Expansion Areas
• Assured Water Supply Program

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Active Management Areas
Prescott AMA goal safe-yield by 2025
Joseph City INA No new irrigated lands
Harquahala INA No new irrigated lands
Phoenix AMA goal safe-yield by 2025
Pinal AMA goals- allow development of
non-irrigation uses- preserve agriculture as
long as feasible
Tucson AMA goal safe-yield by 2025
Santa Cruz AMA goal- maintain safe-yield-
prevent decline of water table
Douglas INA No new irrigated lands
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Groundwater Management

• Regulatory Both Supply and Demand Side Pieces.
• Pump taxes
• Restrictions on new groundwater use
• No new agricultural irrigation
• Mandatory Conservation Measures

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Groundwater Management

• Key to Safe Yield is
• Reducing groundwater use
• Replenishing groundwater with excess surface
  water supplies when available
• Reusing treated wastewater

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Arizona Water Putting it Together

• Reduce Groundwater Use
• Regulatory Requirements to Move to Renewable
  Supplies and Conserve.
• Demonstration of Assured Water Supply.
• Groundwater Permits for all pumping gt35gpm.
• No New Agriculture.

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Arizona Water Putting It Together

• Replenishment of groundwater used
• Central Arizona Groundwater Replenishment
  District and the Arizona Water Bank the
  mechanism.
• Excess CAP water the means.
• Allows developers and water providers that can
  show a 100-year physical supply of groundwater
  the ability to pump, but still meet the
  renewable test of AMAs the result.

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Arizona Water Putting It Together

• Reusing Treated Wastewater
• Regulatory structure in place to protect public
  health.
• About 10 of Arizonas Water Budget. . .and
  growing.
• Direct delivery to many turf facilities parks,
  golf courses, ball and soccer fields.
• Indirect delivery for other uses via recharge to
  groundwater.

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Arizona Water Putting it Together

• Results of Arizonas Groundwater Management
  Approach
• Less groundwater pumped in 2006 than in 1987
  despite significant population growth.
• Drought Planning and Preparedness.
• Greater focus on Smart Growth, with safe yield
  goal.

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Arizona Water Putting It Together

• Challenges Ahead
• Growth and Sustainability location, location,
  location!
• Water Quality
• Effects of Climate Change, Longer Drought
• Managing Perception, Embedding Culture of
  Conservation.

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Statewide Water Issues

• Growth and Development Issues
• Adequate Water Supply program dysfunctional.
• High Growth Rate Communities located in areas of
  critical groundwater basins.
• Infrastructure issues.
• Lot Splits and Exempt wells issues.

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Statewide Water Issues

• Balancing growth with environment
• Protecting Arizonas live rivers and streams
  from further depletion.
• Establishing an environmental value as a
  beneficial use.

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Some Solutions Underway!

• Statewide Water Advisory Group (SWAG)
• Legislation moving forward in these areas more
  functional adequacy program in rural Arizona
  authorizing a Water Supply Development Fund
  within WIFA.
• Continuing to work on Lot Split and Exempt Well
  issues.

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Some Solutions Underway!

• Groundwater Management Acts 4th Management Plan
  in development.
• Will address groundwater replenishment in area of
  hydrologic impact.
• Will develop scenarios to illustrate what will be
  required to reach safe yield in 2025.

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Some Solutions Underway!

• Community Water System Plans
• Water Supply Plan
• Water Conservation Plan
• Drought Preparedness Plan
• On the Internet, available for sharing best
  practices.

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Arizona Water Issues

• And then theres the Colorado River. . . .