What happens if the Colorado runs dry? (Phoenix, Tucson: how much, live in)

[crystalblue]

Does AZ have access to any other water sources?

Is De-sal even an option?

[sunshinecities]

I wonder that too. I posted something on the water supply before but didn't get too many responses. I do not live in AZ so to not profess to be an expert. What I gatherered from my reading and some responses is this. It seems some areas of AZ are ok. - that certain areas knew they'd have enough water. I read Phoenix is ok for a a decade or so but that Tucson - having much well water, was actually more prone to the problem. I read a few articles in the local newspapers and by searches on line in what seemed to be reputable sites. I got the feeling that some people were not aware of the water issue or didn't realize the importance of recognizing it to take preventative meausres - espeically as the populations of Phoenix and Tucson grow. The readings certainly showed a concern with the Col. river for much of the area in the decades to follow. Perhaps others who live there can tell you much more.

[Gretchen B]

Water - a very controversial issue, at least in Northern AZ. Phoenix has almost exclusive water rights to the Salt River. The Colorado River also supplies water to a large portion of the metro area. In Northern AZ the municipalities are pumping ground water and aquifers, and most are in a negative recharge situation. There are probably a few more conservation efforts going on in northern AZ than in Phx metro area.

Here's a link to the AZ Dept of Water Resouces site: http://www.azwater.gov/dwr/

Between the phenomonal growth most areas are experiencing and the decade-long drought, water should be a top priority in most areas of AZ. I'm not sure it is at this point. IMHO, people seem to more concerned with the expense rather than the accessibility and sustainability of water resources.

[aj661]

The east valley has been in good shape for a hundred years thanks to the Salt River Project. I've wondered why the government has never considered a pipeline or canal system from the Mississippi to the southwest. Yea, it would cost a fortune for 1200 miles of it, but so what? They have too much water, we have too little. Considering how much money is wasted every year on thousands of goofy projects, not to mention rebuilding after every flood in the midwest, I think they could afford it if they were willing to reallocate some funds.

[Ponderosa]

There are several issues that vary around the state. In the Phoenix area, things are in pretty good shape. Should Colorado River water become unavailable, PHX would turn to vast underground aquifers. The major problem with that is that the area has moved to renewable surface resources (CO River and Salt/Gila River) and away from groundwater over the past years. A lot of the wells that used to supply water are in disrepair so the effort to draw on groundwater would be expensive.

Outside of Phoenix, things are more serious. Tucson will eventually have to restrain growth regardless of CO R water. Places like Payson, Pine, etc, have water crises already. Prescott area does not have supplies adequate for the 100 years of projected growth and is looking at re-use of effluent to meet state law among other things.

The state is very aware of water issues and has implemented thoughtful legislation to assure water supplies down the road. The test, of course, will be the political will to follow through when the time comes.

[azloafer]

The aquifer under Green Valley is dropping a couple feet every year and there is a plume of contaminated water that is getting larger each year. The contamination is from the copper mines along the western edge of the community. Two of our wells have had to be closed because of this. The mine company has drilled two new wells farther away from the mine tailings, but it is an accepted fact that this is a temporary solution. If the Colorado dries up Green Valley would be in big trouble. This goes for Tucson also because they use the same water source that we use. Tucson has water ponds that the Colorado River water is dumped into. As the silt covers the bottom of the ponds the water is directed to other ponds. When the ponds dry they are bladed to remove the silt. Then the water is directed back to these and this continues. It has already been noted in the local newspaper that people visiting Green Valley may want to drink bottled water versus tap water because they are not used to the sulfer content and may have bowel problems. I have lived here for 21 years and have seen water problems become much more of a concern as the years have gone by. I see things getting worse as time goes by. We will have less and less water to draw from and the contamination from the mine tailings will get worse. The rain washes the tailing chemicals into the aquifer and it stands to reason that the water can only get more contaminated. The mines are working 24 hours a day because the price of copper is up. There is no doubt that water will be a major problem in the future!

[and the]

Isn't the Coconino Aquifer pretty huge?

[Gretchen B]

Originally Posted by and the

Isn't the Coconino Aquifer pretty huge?

The Big Chino aquifer is very large. I'm not sure about the Coconino aquifer, but I've heard the water is extremely deep, so it makes it very difficult to tap into.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by and the

Isn't the Coconino Aquifer pretty huge?

The Coconino (C-aquifer) is huge. It underlies a vast expanse of land north of the Verde River including Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon. Depths to the base run to about 1000 feet. Another aquifer is found under the C-aquifer. It is called the Redwall-Muav for the Redwall Sandstone and Muav Limestone formations in which it is located. It's base is typically over 3000 feet and so tapping it is very expensive. Recent studies have shown that in spite of it's extent, development demands on the C aquifer are likely to exceed its annual recharge (meaning it is unsustainable) in the next several decades. So there are challenges, to be sure.

[and the]

Before I move out there, I'll see if I can get our governor to sell you a pipeline from Lake Superior. We'll run the pipeline under ground to the Canadian side and steal their part of the lake.....As broke as this state is, Jenny Two Pennies will go for it.