Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren from Massachusetts and Rep. Ro Khanna, a Democrat from California, recently introduced a bill aimed at preventing large corporations from profiting off water rights. While Arizonas water banking system isnt the only one in operation other storage schemes exist in places like California, which is home to 517 groundwater basins it is unique in that it does not serve as a clearinghouse, or a middleman that sells and exchanges water credits from users with excess to those in need. These preparations have been based on the framework established for operating Lake Mead and Lake Powell, known as the 2007 Interim Guidelines and the 2019 Drought Contingency Plan (DCP). . Water levels on Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the US, is currently experiencing historic low-water levels, caused by the ongoing 20-year-long megadrought in the US West, as well as reduced snowpack in the Rocky Mountains where it usually provides a steady supply of water as it melts. WebThis August, the Bureau of Reclamation declared a Tier 2a for the Colorado River system for calendar year 2023. In addition to declaring the Tier 2a Shortage, Reclamation reiterated that even further reductions will be needed in 2023 since the current framework is not doing enough to protect the River. Colorado River Annual Operating Plan for 2021, Joint Colorado River Shortage Preparedness Briefing. Az DOR Workshops for PMCs Free series January and February 2023, WeSERV Government Affairs Highlights, 2023 Government Affairs Meetings, Highlights of WeSERV Government Affairs in 2022. Prior to DCP, Arizona water users voluntarily conserved a portion of the States allocation in Lake Mead. How have the cities prepared for a Tier 2a Shortage? If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. If a plant is built in Mexico, states who invest in it could take part of Mexicos share of the river in return. These adjustments require time for planning, stretching their existing workforce, and a significant amount of money from already set budgets for 2023. Water, as described at the start of a panel discussion Tuesday on Arizonas water supplies, is one of the hottest topics around.. ARIZONA, USA The Bureau of Reclamation on Wednesday released updated modeling projections of reservoir levels for lakes Mead and Powell and said the latest outlook for both bodies of water along the Colorado River is troubling. In his State of the State address, Governor Doug Ducey plans to provide the Arizona Water Authority with a $1 billion budget to find new sources of water over the next three years and to partner with other states on desalination plants. Cities in metropolitan Phoenix and Tucson, as well as other Native American tribes who get water from a series of canals managed by the Central Arizona Project, are among the likely customers for water leases with the Colorado River Indian Tribes. But, as ADWR Director Tom Buschatzke said, Because of the serious nature of the drought were in and where were heading (its important) that people realize there are solutions out there and solutions already in place and on the horizon.. Extreme swings in weather are expected as part of a changing climate, something Brad Udall, a water and climate research scientist at Colorado State University, has called "weather whiplash." Others notably the supplies provided by the Colorado River not so good. But after saving its water for the dry times to come, Arizona faces a new new challenge: determining how to get the water to the communities that need it, while also making it last as long as possible. Now were in that situation where were transitioning, Virginia OConnell, the manager of the Arizona Water Banking Authority, recently said in an interview. Both communities say these water rights are key to their sustainability. Now it seems, Arizona water cutbacks will begin in January 2022. There is a 22% chance that water levels will drop 1,000 feet the same year. For the last two decades, the Colorado River Basin has been facing the worst drought in 1,200 years, plus experiencing a warmer climate, stressing the already over-allocated Colorado River. Follow him on Twitter@MrJoshuaBowling. So what does this mean for the people of Arizona? But its also at risk of having water curtailed because its a lower-tier right. It wont leave your tap dry, but several Phoenix-area cities are increasing water rates ahead of the shortage. As of May 2022, Lake Mead water levels are at 1,049 feet and declining. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Feds should declare a Tier 3 Senate President Karen Fann gave us an update on what we will [], Copyright 2016 | WeMAR Government Affairs. Officials didnt want to give up the precious resource and were concerned that California could move to claim the unused portion in federal court. But these measures will not be enough to combat water scarcity as the Colorado River continues to deplete. Updated every January and August, the August projection of the following January 1 water elevation determines whether a shortage is to be declared on the system. My main concern with all of this is the precedent that is setting, that is whats so scary, Irwin told CNN. Once you have your water rights, you defend it, Ferris said. Revenue from water leases also will help fund a nursing home, substance abuse treatment and improve an irrigation system, tribal leaders have said. For over 50years, the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association has worked to protect our member cities' ability to provide their communities with assured, safe, and sustainable water supplies. Outside the city limits of Scottsdale, where the asphalt ends and the dirt road begins, is the Rio Verde Foothills community. Data are available only for Lake Mead . 2023 Center for the Future of Arizona. One of the measures that Biden You can access the Arizona drought map and search specific cities, counties and zip codes for drought conditions on drought.gov. Considering Arizona relies more than 40% of water supplies from groundwater, lawmakers need to address the unregulated drainage of rural groundwater by industrial farms. Sign up to get breaking news and information about Arizonas water industry! The latest Morning Scoop panel discussion sponsored by the Arizona Capitol Times focused on a broad overview of the water issues facing Arizona. And some cities will even pay you to conserve. Arizona also needs to rapidly invest and diversify its water sources. If the projected level falls below 1,075 feet of elevation above sea level, a shortage is declared, and Arizona must cut back its use of water. As the Valley has grown, family farms have transformed into strip malls and apartment buildings. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. Several hundred residents are now using up the last of the Scottsdale water that haulers delivered in late December to the 5,000-gallon (18,950-liter) tanks buried in their yards, but said at a public gathering last week they expect it will dry up soon. I do not believe, and I think I speak for others on the Council, that we have the foresight to know what is best for our members who are not yet born or for their children, she said. Nevertheless, he noted, the conditions on the Colorado River system are likely to deteriorate further in the coming calendar year. To bank the unused water, the state Water Bank relies on two different processes: actually keeping water in underground storage and an exchange program known as groundwater savings. The legislation includes more than $310 million for the Hualapai tribe to build out a water delivery system. In 2022, the Colorado River is expected to experience a Tier 1 Shortage, which means that Arizona, Nevada, and Mexico have all agreed to take less water from the River for the year. Temperatures in Arizona have been steadily rising with average summer temperatures now 1.8F (1C) higher compared to 1970 levels. , as well as ways to increase the share of recycled and reclaimed water. They also will determine how much water can be released from the banks savings. Though Phoenix has more than an adequate supply of water in non-shortage years, residents and business owners are encouraged to embrace a desert lifestyle. If a plant is built in Mexico, states who invest in it could take part of Mexicos share of the river in return. "The latest outlook for Lake Powell is troubling," Wayne Pullan, the bureau's Upper Colorado Regional director said. In addition, the cities, along with other stakeholders, have helped Arizona make significant contributions to leave water in Lake Mead and stave off shortages for as long as possible. Scottsdale turned off its longstanding supply of water to the community on Jan. 1, calling the cutoff permanent. Who are impacted most by the water shortage and what are the policy solutions being implemented and considered? Arizona in 2018opened the door for cities to use direct potable reuse, also known as toilet-to-tap, a term that makes its advocates wince. A statement from ADWR Director Tom Buschatzke and CAP General Manager Ted Cooke in response to the U.S. Department of the Interior announcement of actions to protect the Colorado River system and 2023 Operating Conditions for Lake Powell and Lake Mead is available HERE. Hualapai will have the right to divert up to 3,414 acre-feet of water per year, along with the ability to lease it within Arizona (AP Photo/John Locher, File)AP. For many years, Arizona water professionals have been anticipating and preparing for this shortage. That includes the nearly 4 million tallied by the Water Bank. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much Its clear the state needs to do more beyond the water restriction from the declaration. The feds areexpected to make the shortage declaration in August. Grady Gammage, an attorney representing the Greenstone investment firm, told CNN that the water can be transferred to wherever the owner chooses. The Cities along the river currently use less than half of their existing municipal entitlement. This decline in Lake Mead will trigger a Tier 1 Shortage declaration, and therefore, less water will be delivered from the Colorado River. It certainly is. To print or save this week's blog, a PDF version is available HERE. Groundwater from the Town's own wells. Reclamation says more cuts are needed. As the climate crisis intensifies, battle lines are beginning to form over water. Still, the tribe called Bidens signature a historic step for the Hualapai people, whose reservation borders a 108-mile (174-kilometer) stretch of the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. Bruce Babbitt served as governor of Arizona from 1978 to 1987 and as secretary of the U.S. Department of Interior from 1993 to 2001. WebGilbert has four main water sources: Colorado River water from the Central Arizona Project. We have a longstanding priority system that governs who receives Colorado River water in times of shortage. But Arizona was hit hardest by the declaration with nearly one fifth of the states water supply being cut off. Arizona. Based on 2017 statistics, the total statewide water use was approximately 7 million acre-feet, in which 72% was used for agricultural purposes, 22% for municipal use while the remaining 6% was used for industries. 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