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You want to know what? Answering questions about water in Arizona

You want to know what? Answering questions about water in Arizona. Susanna Eden Ashley Hullinger Claire Zucker. WE WILL COVER. BIG PICTURE HOW IT WORKS IN ARIZONA WHAT ABOUT ME?. BIG PICTURE. “Big” answers for the “Big” Questions!. https://www.paradisevalleyaz.gov/.

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You want to know what? Answering questions about water in Arizona

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  1. You want to know what? Answering questions about water in Arizona Susanna Eden Ashley Hullinger Claire Zucker

  2. WE WILL COVER • BIG PICTURE • HOW IT WORKS IN ARIZONA • WHAT ABOUT ME?

  3. BIG PICTURE “Big” answers for the “Big” Questions! https://www.paradisevalleyaz.gov/

  4. Are we running out of water?

  5. Are we running out of water? • Big answer - No • Abundant groundwater • Managed for sustainability • Declining demands But….. Locally it dependsLocation – watershed, groundwater basin Resources – Colorado River Connection Management and infrastructure

  6. Understanding the Geography of Water More information on AZ watersheds and basins WRRC Water Map PosterSnapshot of water information (2017) ADWR* Water Atlas (2002-2008)Organized by planning area & groundwater basin(*Arizona Department of Water Resources) Central Arizona Project • CAP Website • Climate Adaptation • Colorado River • Service Areas

  7. If we’re in a drought, why don’t we have water restrictions?

  8. If we’re in a drought, why don’t we have water restrictions? • To answer this question we need to understand: • Drought – and how it affects the water resources • Water use trends

  9. DroughtU.S Drought Monitor – for Arizona Urban water restrictions would be driven by supply and demand Water Use Reduced to 1950’s levels in many communities • July 23, 2019 • July 31, 2018 • ADWR: Weekly Drought Maps • CLIMAS: Temp., monsoon, El Nino, climate change • DroughtView: Online mapping tool Comparative dates, fires, landuse Local utilities can often provide usage data. For now we are incentivizing and educating First restrictions would likely be outside water use since the majority of our urban water is used outside.

  10. How much groundwater do we have?

  11. How much groundwater do we have? • We don’t really know, but we model it! • Our large alluvial basins have robust groundwater resources • Groundwater models are used to estimate physical availability for Assured Water Supply • Groundwater declines are a concern • Over pumping can: • dry up wells • impact riparian areas • decrease water quality • cause subsidence

  12. Water Use by Groundwater Basin (WRRC Water Map Poster) ADWR Data and Map Site – Find statewide maps of groundwater, watersheds, Irrigation districts and more! AZ Groundwater Site Inventory – Find groundwater levels, well locations, and hydrographs. ADWR Hydrologic Monitoring Program groundwater levels, gravity and storage changes Wells and subsidence Streamflows and springs

  13. HOW IT WORKS IN ARIZONA Isn't it unsustainable to be living in the desert in the first place? https://sonorangardensinc.com/what-are-the-climates-of-arizona/

  14. What are Active Management Areas (AMAs)? • 1980 Groundwater Management Actrecognized the need to manage the state’s finite groundwater. Areas with heavy reliance on mined groundwater were identified and designated as Active Management Areas (AMAs). • Five AMAs are subject to regulation pursuant to the Groundwater Code.

  15. FIVE AMAs:PrescottPhoenixPinalTucsonSanta Cruz Source: ADWR

  16. What prevents new well pumping from drying up older wells?

  17. What prevents new well pumping from drying up older wells? • (Two parts to this) Understanding how the aquifer works and legal considerations: • AMA vs. Non-AMA  • Type of water use • Recharge activities to consider • Straws in a cup of slushy

  18. Why do we have agriculture in the desert?

  19. Why do we have agriculture in the desert? • It's true that farming is highly water consumptive, but people farm for many reasons... • Almost 75% of statewide water use is devoted to agriculture • About 40% of agriculture relies on groundwater pumping • Cultural and economic value to the state and local communities

  20. Resources USDA - National Agriculture Statistics Service (NASS) USGS Water Use Data for Arizona (5-year estimates)  FEW-View: Visualize food, energy, and water supply chains https://fewsion.us/few-view/

  21. https://cals.arizona.edu/arec/sites/cals.arizona.edu.arec/files/publications/pinal%20county%2012-23-2018%20with%20front%20and%20back%20cover.pdfhttps://cals.arizona.edu/arec/sites/cals.arizona.edu.arec/files/publications/pinal%20county%2012-23-2018%20with%20front%20and%20back%20cover.pdf https://www.climas.arizona.edu/sites/default/files/pdfacasestudyinefficiency.pdf

  22. WHAT ABOUT ME? What do you do when someone asks something really specific?

  23. Is my water safe to drink?

  24. Is my water safe to drink? • Where does your water come from? Water provider or individual/ shared well? • Have you had your well tested? • Any problems or complaints? • Taste/color not predictors • Check water quality reports

  25. ADEQ Water System Information Water Utilities Must Report Water Quality Data

  26. How can I help save water?

  27. How can I help save water? • Outdoor water use and leaks • Harvest rainwater and/or use graywater

  28. Water Use It Wisely • Indoor toilets, appliances, leaks • Behavior change – take shorter showers • Stay informed – water conservation is a community project Residential Water Use • https://wateruseitwisely.com/

  29. Tell me what to do! SHOULD I Buy this house… It depends Drink bottled water… Not recommended Install a water softener… Not recommended Harvest rainwater… Recommended Drill a well…It depends WHERE CAN I FIND Water testing service Information on bottled water Information on water softening Help harvesting rainwater

  30. SHOULD I Buy this house? • Where is the house? AMA/non-AMA • What is your concern? Quantity/Quality • Water provider or well? • Provider source(s) of water? • Depends mainly on state and local policies and costs

  31. Tell me what to do! SHOULD I Buy this house… It depends Drink bottled water… Not recommended Install a water softener… Not recommended Harvest rainwater… Recommended Drill a well…It depends WHERE CAN I FIND Water testing service Information on bottled water Information on water softening Help harvesting rainwater

  32. SHOULD I Drill a well? • Regulatory considerations: • Where? AMA or non-AMA • What for? (< 35 gpm) • Where is the nearest water provider’s service area? • Geography • Valley, mountain fringe, plateau? • Groundwater level trends

  33. Well Water Quality • AZ Dept of Health Services  Rain Harvesting Techniques • Watershed Management Group Bottled vs. Tap Water • Food & Water Watch Water Softener Impacts • City of Scottsdale Water Resources

  34. QuestionsResources are out there. And we are here!Susanna Eden – seden@email.arizona.eduAshley Hullinger – hullinger@email.arizona.eduClaire Zucker – clzucker@email.arizona.edu https://www.arizonahighways.com/explore/hiking/west-clear-creek-trail

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