Running on Empty with Developers and

What to Do to Save the Colorado

As the drought continues, some valley developers are running into problems securing water This is happening because the AZ Dept of Water Resources (agency that issues water certificates) is questioning whether existing groundwater supplies are enough for these projects.

In certain cities – Phoenix, Chandler, and Mesa – ADWR has designated they have an assured or adequate water supply.  However, in outlying areas where certain municipalities don’t have such a designation, developers may have trouble getting such clearance.  In spite of this, some large developers continue to build like there is no tomorrow, even questioning the ADWR’s and the state’s calculations for these areas!  (As reported by Angela Gonzalez in 8/26/22 Arizona Business Journal)

(The following is a summary of a Viewpoints article by Joanna Allhands on 8/27/22) (5 Things That Must Happen to Save the Colorado):

1.Stop kicking the can

After multiple attempts to apply Band-Aids to leave more water in Lake Powell and Mead, we’ve hit a crossroads.  We’d need to conserve an additional 2.5 million more acre-feet in 2023 simply to keep these lakes from going lower. If we don’t do a lot more to shrink the imbalance between supply and usage, then the lakes may be done!

2.All this requires sacrifices from everyone

There are no silver bullets!  Every way out of this will be painful, imperfect, and unpopular. Everyone must do their part.

3.Agree to Basic framework

The lower basin states which rely on Like Mead will have to take more cuts than the upper basin, which rely on Lake Powell.  This is true because the lower basin uses more water and if the drain on Mead isn’t slowed, then downstream users will suck Mead dry, in spite of what we do to shore up Powell. California, with 4.6 million acre-feet of usage, must come to the table. So, if we could agree to a basic framework, then we might be ahead of where we are now.

4.Reclamation must do its job

Right now the Bureau of Reclamation is holding off on a threat of its unilateral action. Some think the basin states are waiting for it to act. In any case, with no agreement from the states up to now, we need to keep pressuring the Bureau.

A future with no water flowing through the Grand Canyon and no usable Lake Mead is unthinkable.