Groundwater is pumped by the Maricopa- Stanfield Irrigation and Drainage District for agricultural use in western Pinal County.|| Steven King/Dispatch
Tony Davis
Arizona Daily Star
Pima County supervisors want Arizona’s water agency to expedite a study of the Tucson area’s groundwater supply to see if it’s large enough to support all subdivision development expected over the next 100 years.
The Board of Supervisors voted 3-1 Tuesday to send a letter making that request of the Arizona Department of Water Resources, as requested by Democratic Supervisor Matt Heinz. Republican Supervisor Steve Christy was opposed; Democratic Supervisor Sharon Bronson wasn’t present for the vote.
Although the supervisors and County Administrator Jan Lesher said they didn’t know it, the state water agency has begun such an evaluation, but it’s not clear if the work can be expedited. The computer model analysis by the state won’t be finished until 2024 and may need 18 months, ADWR spokesman Doug MacEachern told the Star.
“We know the Colorado River is in a crisis at this point. We are living in a desert,” Heinz told the board.
