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April 8, 2022 / Volume 10, Issue 13
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IN THIS ISSUE:
AZ Agriculture, ADWR, New Water Task Force, Gray Water, Riparian Photopoint Project
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AZ Agriculture: In the National Spotlight and Focus of 2022 WRRC Annual Conference |
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Under the Tier 1 shortage declared for the Colorado River this year, about 30% of the Central Arizona Project’s (CAP) supply is curtailed, with cuts primarily affecting agriculture users. Off the river and outside of the CAP service area, groundwater sources are strained, resulting in declining water tables and wells drying up. These issues have received broad news coverage, including articles that examine the impacts of water shortages on agriculture, measures to mitigate water shortages (e.g., changing to less water-intensive crops, fallowing), and impacts of continued water shortages on Arizona communities and the agricultural sector. The WRRC 2022 Annual Conference, Arizona’s Agricultural Outlook: Water, Climate, and Sustainability, will provide a forum for a diverse discussion of the issues through a broad and inclusive lens. By asking the question “What is the outlook for agriculture in Arizona?” the conference will cover the diversity of agriculture throughout the state, including regional and global demand, small-scale farms, Tribal perspectives, ranching, and emerging crops. Bookmark our conference page for updates on the program – coming soon!
Image: Sulphur Springs Valley, AZ, David Quanrud, WRRC Photo Contest
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Native Voices in STEM Spring 2022 Seminar Series: Environmental Justice
Date: April 11, 2022
Time: 3:00 pm-4:00 pm Arizona Time
Speaker:
Tommy Rock, PhD in Earth Science and Environmental Sustainability, Northern Arizona University
Dr. Tommy Rock is a member of the Navajo Nation from Monument Valley, Utah. He currently is the first in his family to have received a doctoral degree. In 2002, Dr. Rock received his Bachelor's degree in Environmental Geography and Recreational Management from Arizona State University. He received his Master’s degree in 2008 from Northern Arizona University (NAU) and was funded under the National Institute of Environmental Health Supplement Grant, later working at the Navajo Nation Environmental Protection Agency - Public Water Systems Supervision Program. He returned to NAU and was awarded his PhD in Earth Science and Environmental Sustainability in December 2017.
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WRRC Brown Bag Webinar: Civil Society in the Binational Agreements of the Colorado River: Advocacy Meets Shuttle Diplomacy
Date: April 19, 2022
Time: 12:00 pm-1:15 pm Arizona Time
Speaker: Carlos A. de la Parra, Chair of the Board, Restauremos el Colorado, AC
Non-Governmental Organizations or NGOs is the name that was given to civil society in several of the Minutes from the 1944 Treaty on International Waters between the United States and Mexico. The NGOs appear as parties to a three-way contribution of water for the environment in Minutes 316, 319, and 323. But the contribution of the NGOs to the accomplishments of these Minutes in the Colorado River extends beyond the traditional place of environmental advocates, contributing as shuttle diplomats to facilitate cross-border understanding. The role of civil society groups continues to grow, spilling over into the realm of brokers of water conservation agreements. In this presentation we examine the history and the anatomy of an outstanding partnership between federal and state governments and civil society from both countries, and how the water shortage crises has influenced the management of the Colorado River.
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Upcoming Events
Jim Enote, CEO, Colorado Plateau Foundation
May 17: WRRC Brown Bag Webinar: Sharon Nappier, National Program Leader for Water Reuse, US Environmental Protection Agency - Office of Water
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Celebrate Water Awareness Month
April is Water Awareness Month (WAM) in Arizona! This month, the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) will be raising awareness about the importance of water conservation. As drought continues and Arizona experiences cuts in its Colorado River allocation, conservation of water resources is more imperative than ever. WAM began in 2008 following an Executive Order by Arizona’s Governor to recognize the importance of water during the month of April. Every April, ADWR partners with organizations, businesses, and agencies throughout the state to bring water awareness materials and events to the public. The ADWR is hosting several events this month, which will include discussions, forecasts, and reports on water conservation technologies, hydrologic science, Colorado River streamflow, the Salt River Project, water in Arizona’s state parks, and more. A list of upcoming activities and events can be found on the WAM website. The website was launched in 2011 and is host to a plethora of activities and information on water conservation and water use throughout the state.
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AZ Corporation Commission Creates Water Task Force
In its March monthly meeting, the Arizona Corporation Commission approved the creation of a new Water Task Force, the formation of which will be coordinated by the Commission’s Utilities Division Staff. The Task Force will be composed of “interested parties” including primarily state utility companies, as well as state government agencies such as the Arizona Department of Water Resources and possibly non-governmental water conservation groups. The Task Force will consist of several subcommittees, each focusing on a different water issue. These will be: Water Use, addressing issues of water loss and supply, including conservation and long-term planning; Infrastructure, concentrating on resilience and reliability; Water-Energy Nexus; and Water Policies, responsible for specific updates to Corporation Commission water policies. Each interested party will have no more than two representatives per subcommittee. The Commission will appoint a Water Task Force chairperson, and all meetings of the Task Force will be open to the public.
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Survey Shows Tucson’s Gray Water Policy Has Been Ineffective
A recent survey of Tucsonans indicated that the gray water ordinance implemented in 2010 has not been effective. “Gray” water is water that has been used for household purposes but is not contaminated with fecal matter, so it can be reused for landscaping. The ordinance stipulates that new homes built in Tucson must be equipped with a “stub-out” to facilitate the installation of a gray water system. It also offers a $1,000 rebate for purchasing the necessary equipment to install such a system. City staff believe the policy’s failure is simply due to a lack of homeowner awareness. Even some residents who have installed gray water systems since 2010 did not know about the rebate. Another issue is plumbing access; the ordinance does not require homebuilders to put the stub-out in a location easily accessible for landscaping use, which may deter even interested homeowners. City officials are developing a plan to address these problems, which will include reaching out to over 6,000 homeowners to educate them about their home’s potential for a gray water system and the $1,000 rebate. According to City estimates, if 1/3 of the homes built after 2010 started using gray water for landscaping, Tucson could save over 60 million gallons of water per year. Those homeowners would also save on their water bills each month. The City is reviewing the ordinance and will give an update in the next year. Depending on their findings, they may either revise the existing policy or propose new strategies.
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Volunteers Needed for Riparian
Photopoint Program
The Friends of the Tonto National Forest is seeking volunteers for the Riparian Photopoint program, which runs from April to June. The program documents riparian areas by taking photographs of vegetation and streambanks at exact spots to show wildlife impacts, results of flooding, fire, and drought, impacts by livestock, and improvement in conditions from management strategies. There are locations needing volunteers throughout the Tonto National Forest in central Arizona and northern Arizona, some easily accessible by car and some requiring hiking. To attend the virtual training session on April 11th at 7 pm, fill out the registration form. If you would like to volunteer and cannot attend the training, please email Helene@friendsofthetonto.org.
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Please visit WRRC's website for a complete listing of water jobs & opportunities.
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Do you have a story idea, water job announcement, or event to share?
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