How do we know a water crisis is coming?

Assured Water Supply

User

Population Estimated

2000

Pumpage (Potable) af

2000

Central Arizona Project

Allocation

Effluent

Allocation

AssuredWaterSupply

Designation

MDWID 44,029 8,633 8,858 Yes Yes

Town of Oro Valley 34,153 9,085 6,748 Yes Yes

Community Water of G. V. 15,286 2,448 1,337

Green Valley Water Co. 4,757 2,225 1,900

Arizona Water Co. 4,140 379

Hub Water Co. 4,056 1,105

Marana Municipal Water 3,591 544 47 Yes Yes

Las Quintas Serenas 3,080 422

Vail Water Co (Del Lago) 2,537 296 786 Yes

Voyager Water Co. 2,415 279

Farmers Water Co. 2,390 538

Sauhuarita Village 176 33

Rancho Sahurita 85 16

TOTAL PUMPAGE -- AF 38,942

How much water do we need?How much water do we need?

Current usage = 59,000 acre feet (af)Current usage = 59,000 acre feet (af)

FICO FICO 24,000 – 27,000 af 24,000 – 27,000 af PD SierritaPD Sierrita 26,000 – 29,000 af 26,000 – 29,000 af Golf Courses 3,600 afGolf Courses 3,600 af Municipal 3,800 afMunicipal 3,800 af

(both Sahuarita and Green Valley)(both Sahuarita and Green Valley)

How much do we have?How much do we have?

Total recharge of 28,000 af per yearTotal recharge of 28,000 af per year

Natural storm waterNatural storm water 19,000 af 19,000 af FICO incidentalFICO incidental 7,000 af 7,000 af EffluentEffluent 2,100 af 2,100 af GWRDGWRD 650 af650 af

This is a deficitThis is a deficit

of 31,000 acre of 31,000 acre

feet per yearfeet per year

Solutions = more waterSolutions = more water

CAPCAP (Colorado River) (Colorado River) water (water (Note: 5,408 acre feet will Note: 5,408 acre feet will cover the municipal use of Green Valley and Sahaurita if it is filtered cover the municipal use of Green Valley and Sahaurita if it is filtered and piped directly. However, we still have the danger of subsidence as and piped directly. However, we still have the danger of subsidence as the aquifer continues to deplete at 2-3 ft per year.the aquifer continues to deplete at 2-3 ft per year.

Storm/rain waterStorm/rain water

WastewaterWastewater

Pump less waterPump less water = eliminate heaviest usage = eliminate heaviest usage

Issues with CAP waterIssues with CAP water Water Quality – must be filteredWater Quality – must be filtered

– TDS = 800 mg/ltr TDS = 800 mg/ltr – Radioactive chemicals from Uranium tailings??Radioactive chemicals from Uranium tailings??

Allocations Allocations High cost of deliveryHigh cost of delivery

– Pipeline Pipeline – Capital costs Capital costs – Delivery costs Delivery costs – Interest on loanInterest on loan– MaintenanceMaintenance– FilteringFiltering

CAP AllocationsCAP Allocations Water CompaniesWater Companies

Community Water Co. = 2,858 af Community Water Co. = 2,858 af Green Valley Water Co. = 1,900 afGreen Valley Water Co. = 1,900 af

Phelps Dodge = 0 (declined 8,549 af)Phelps Dodge = 0 (declined 8,549 af) Park Company = 4,444 af (terminated)Park Company = 4,444 af (terminated) FICO (Pecans) = 0 (declined 1.39%)FICO (Pecans) = 0 (declined 1.39%) Golf Courses = 0 Golf Courses = 0 GWRD = 650 afGWRD = 650 af Total allocations Total allocations = 5,408 = 5,408

Grandfathered water rightsGrandfathered water rights

FICO = 34,700 acre feet per yearFICO = 34,700 acre feet per year

Phelps Dodge = 37,900 acre feet per yearPhelps Dodge = 37,900 acre feet per year

Public = 0Public = 0

Question:Question: Who passed out this water when they Who passed out this water when they didn’t even know how much water was available?didn’t even know how much water was available?

Storm waterStorm water

Storm water is freeStorm water is free Storm water is relatively cleanStorm water is relatively clean Soil is a great water filter of bacteria, virus, Soil is a great water filter of bacteria, virus,

but not dissolved solids or chemicals (CAP).but not dissolved solids or chemicals (CAP).

IssuesIssues How can we collect it efficiently?How can we collect it efficiently? Surface water rightsSurface water rights Collect in strategic locationsCollect in strategic locations

COSTSCOSTS

CAP waterCAP water = $30 million for 5,000 af of = $30 million for 5,000 af of allocations for initial set-up (full allocations for initial set-up (full recommended plan)recommended plan)

Microbasins with dry wells:Microbasins with dry wells:– Basin construction = $15,000Basin construction = $15,000– Dry wellDry well = $15,000 = $15,000– 2 projects with 2 wells each = $90 thousand 2 projects with 2 wells each = $90 thousand

for approx. several thousand feet??for approx. several thousand feet??

Possible ActionsPossible Actions

Moratorium on building until water plan is in place Moratorium on building until water plan is in place (11-833) (11-833)

All HOA’s required to use xeriscapingAll HOA’s required to use xeriscaping File for surface water rights for publicFile for surface water rights for public Golf courses install drywells in low-lying areasGolf courses install drywells in low-lying areas Microbasins w/dry wells to capture storm waterMicrobasins w/dry wells to capture storm water Storm-water Reservoirs in Santa Rita MountainsStorm-water Reservoirs in Santa Rita Mountains Inflatable dams in washesInflatable dams in washes Stop Pima County from scouring out washesStop Pima County from scouring out washes Fish barriers = Bureau of ReclamationFish barriers = Bureau of Reclamation Purchase pecan groves and convert to desert-landscaped Purchase pecan groves and convert to desert-landscaped

park w/recharge basinspark w/recharge basins

Now, water is an issue…..

If we wait until it is critical,

it will be too late.