Amid drought, Phoenix plans for a future with less water

Summary

Arizona's city of Phoenix is grappling with water scarcity due to the Colorado River's reduced flow, a consequence of climate change. The city has initiated a comprehensive strategy that includes wastewater recycling, water conservation, and innovative water storage agreements with neighboring cities. Phoenix is also investing in infrastructure to harness groundwater, partnering with environmental organizations for watershed management, and compensating upstream users to conserve water. These proactive measures aim to secure Phoenix's water supply for the future amidst escalating drought risks.

Takeaways

• 🌊 Arizona has passed a Drought Contingency Plan in response to the Colorado River providing less water to the seven states that depend on it.
• 🏕 Phoenix is preparing for a future with less water by implementing water conservation measures and exploring alternative water sources.
• 💧 The city of Phoenix reuses all of its wastewater, treating it at plants and using it for various purposes including wetland irrigation and nuclear power plant cooling.
• 🌱 Phoenix is promoting water conservation by encouraging the use of native vegetation and charging a premium for water use during peak demand seasons.
• 🏡 The percentage of Phoenix homes with grass has significantly decreased from 80% in the 1970s to about 14% today due to water conservation campaigns and cost considerations.
• 🌡️ Climate change is causing a decline in the Colorado River's flow, with a 16% reduction over the past century and projections for even greater losses in the coming 50-100 years.
• 💧 Phoenix has entered into water storage agreements with other Arizona cities, storing excess water in aquifers for future use during shortages.
• 🌱 The city is working with environmental organizations to maintain water levels in the Salt and Verde rivers, which supply Phoenix, through projects like forest thinning and water diversion systems.
• 💸 Phoenix has paid partners to conserve water through a system conservation approach, where water saved is kept in the system for the benefit of all users.
• 🚧 The city has a backup plan to access groundwater, with an estimated 90 million acre-feet available, but this would require significant investment in infrastructure.

Q & A

What is the Drought Contingency Plan mentioned in the script?

The Drought Contingency Plan is a piece of water legislation passed by Arizona that acknowledges the Colorado River is providing less water than before to the seven states that depend on it.

How does Phoenix's water services department handle wastewater?

Phoenix's water services department reclaims and reuses all the wastewater generated in the city for various purposes.

What is the role of the Tres Rios Wetlands in Phoenix's water management?

The Tres Rios Wetlands is a constructed system that receives treated wastewater, helping to reduce chlorine levels before the water is released into a nearby river.

How much water does Phoenix recycle annually for the nuclear power plant and nearby crops?

Phoenix recycles more than 23 billion gallons of wastewater annually for a nuclear power plant and uses an additional 16 billion gallons a year to irrigate nearby crops.

What percentage of Phoenix's homes have grass today compared to the 1970s?

Only about 14% of homes in Phoenix have grass today, down from 80% in the 1970s.

Why has the percentage of homes with grass in Phoenix decreased?

The decrease is attributed to water conservation campaigns and the cost of water, with the city charging a 28% premium for water during the summer when demand is highest.

How has Phoenix's water usage changed over the past 20 years?

Phoenix uses less water today than it did 20 years ago, despite serving 400,000 more people with the same amount of water.

What is the impact of climate change on the Colorado River's flow?

Over the past century, the Colorado River's flow has declined by about 16%, with scientists pointing to climate change as a main reason, leading to less snowpack and less water in the river.

What is the significance of the partnership between Phoenix and the Gila River Indian Community?

Phoenix and the Gila River Indian Community have a partnership where Phoenix paid the community to leave some of its Colorado River water in Lake Mead, contributing to a pay-to-conserve transaction called System Conservation.

How does Phoenix's investment in the Nature Conservancy's projects benefit the city's water supply?

Phoenix's investment in the Nature Conservancy's projects, such as forest thinning and automated water diversions, helps maintain water levels on the Salt and Verde Rivers, which supply the city.

What is Phoenix's backup plan for water supply if other measures fall short?

Phoenix's backup plan involves accessing the groundwater beneath the city, which is estimated to be enough for 300 years of water supply, but would require a significant investment in infrastructure.