Opinion: Saving water is not a one-size-fits-all deal. But metro Phoenix needs a better conservation message than ‘do the legwork and find out.’
By Joanna Allhands Arizona Republic
Metro Phoenix residents know they should save water, but what should they be doing, exactly, to help their cities? The message varies depending on where you live.
Most cities across metro Phoenix have enacted the first stages of their drought preparedness plans. It’s a smart move.
Because even if those first stages don’t mandate action, they place more emphasis on saving water.
Which is a message we all need to hear.
Clearly and on repeat.
There are good reasons to use less water now
It’s true. We could completely cut off taps across metro Phoenix and still not change the trajectory of shortages on the Colorado River. The federal Bureau of Reclamation says the seven states that rely on the river must cut 2 to 4 million acre-feet of water in 2023, simply to keep Lake Mead and Lake Powell on life support.
Cities don’t use enough water to make up that difference.
