In the West Valley, water experts in such cities as Surprise and Glendale say they have begun to re-examine their long-term water needs to prepare for growth. As home construction picks up in the West Valley, water is increasingly on city leaders’ minds.
New-home permits in the region have nearly doubled since 2009, which means that desert cities must look for new water sources to serve new residents and businesses. A federal study predicts that could be a challenge. Cities that rely on water from the Colorado River Basin could face severe water shortages in the next 50 years, the report says.
The Colorado River is the significant source of water for Arizona and many West Valley cities.
If there is a shortage, it’s unlikely West Valley water customers’ pipes would run dry. But it’s possible that water bills could rise steeply and that use restrictions could be put in place, such as limiting days people could wash their car or water their yard.
A 1980 state rule to protect groundwater requires each development to prove that it has a 100-year assured supply from renewable sources. In the West Valley, much of the water comes from the Colorado River or the Salt and Verde rivers.
A December study from the federal Bureau of Reclamation projected a shortage of 3.2million acre-feet of water from the Colorado River within 50 years for the seven states that share its supply.
Arizona’s supply is particularly vulnerable because California is first in line to get its share of Colorado River water if there is a shortage.
Glendale and other West Valley cities constantly look for new water supplies and how they can better manage the allotment they receive.
Kupel said the search includes buying or leasing water rights from farmers who no longer use their agricultural land or from Indian tribes that have more water than they use.
Next month, the Glendale City Council will consider whether to ratify lease agreements with the White Mountain Apache Tribe.
Information from The Arizona Republic
