Is Tucson Running out of Water? | Tucson Water Resources
October 25, 2006
Post Tags: oro-valley-water-resources , potable-water , tucson-drought , tucson-water-resources , tucson-water-shortage
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We get quite a few people asking us if Tucson is going to run out of water. I usually respond with something like, “Have you been to Tucson lately, there isn’t any water here, even the mosquitoes carry bottled water.” We do have some mosquitoes this year because of the good monsoon. I consider the mosquito population a really good reason to live in Tucson. I’ve lived here since August of 1999 and I think I’ve had about 6 mosquitoe bites in that time. But it is more the heat that keep them at bay and not the lack of water.
It is true we have been in a drought pattern ever since 1995 and one good monsoon season won’t wipe out the deficits of these past 11 years. But there is still plenty of water in Tucson.
For those wanting to dig into the details here is the 59 page July 2006 Tucson Water Resource Report. And the Pima County Drought Management Plan June 2006. For those that still want more to read here is the Water Wasting and Drought Ordinance & Frequently Asked Questions.
If you wanting a more condensed version here is a paragraph off the back of our Oro Valley water bill for September.
Is a Water Shortage Imminent?
“No. The Town of Oro Valley has received a designation of Assured Water Supply for 100 years from the Arizona Department of Water Resources. With the expansion of our reclaimed water system and the use of Central Arizona Project (CAP) water in the future, we do not anticipate any problems. Phase II of the reclaimed wter system is currently being designed and with construction expected to be complete in 2008. CAP water could possibly be delivered within 10 years. For the present, and well into the future, groundwater is and will continue to be a significant part of our water resource inventory. As such, it is vital for us not only to conserve but protect it as well.”
I know the back of my water bill might not be a definitive source for some of you and if that is the case, read the big reports.
Could we use more water, absolutely, but from what I’ve been reading so could the rest of the country, I read reports almost every month that state the country is running out of potable water.
When I was a kid growing up I thought potable water was water that came from the pot, or could go into the pot, and reading about a shortage of potable drinking water always made me cringe. Actually, it still does.
There are a lot of things going on in our desert communities of southern Arizona to conserve water. I think there will be plenty of drinking water for some time to come. I’m sure there is more that could be done, for one thing, stop putting the water heater in the garage up front and the master bedroom and laundry in the back, but that’s just a pet peeve of mine. Anyway, the sky isn’t falling, and the desert isn’t dry.
Tucson is one of the few places in the country where 10 ton of rock around the house is considered landscaping, and I wouldn’t want to try and make my living as a lawnmower salesperson, or selling snowblowers either.
I’ve been looking into water harvesting here in Tucson and will share some resources on that in a day or two. It is pretty facinating stuff, and since I’m getting ready to landscape our back yard, which is desert right now, no rock yet, I’m going to incorporate some water harvesting techniques into the design.
Have a great day and go drink a glass of water, potable if you like, I prefer mine filtered from the fridge.
