The Water Plight of Phoenix Sean McMorris, Jimmy Svigos, Ki Hoon Kim, Griffin Leahy, Filaree Moore

Water Supply and Drought  Snow pack is key to Arizona water supplies  Phoenix receives most of its water from dwindling surface water supplies  Over a decade of drought in the Southwest  Lakes and rivers are drying up and aquifers are being exhausted  Snow pack is key to Arizona water supplies  Phoenix receives most of its water from dwindling surface water supplies  Over a decade of drought in the Southwest  Lakes and rivers are drying up and aquifers are being exhausted

Environmental Facets  1. Damming of Salt and Verde Rivers: Hohokam canals built 1100 AD, irrigation/agriculture, Serious environmental consequences  2. Sprawl: Phoenix metro area covers 9000 sq. miles  3. Residential Watering/Landscape: Residential uses 2/3 of Phoenix water ﾊ ﾊ ﾊ ﾊ supply, landscape takes 80% of that 2/3.  4. Relationship between Water Consumption and Temperature: Urban Heat Island Effect raises temp. 12 degrees at night, household water use increases by 4.61 kL annually when temperatures rise 1 degree C, 33.8 F which accounts for 0.77% annual use for every 1 degree C (33.8 F) of urban heat, 40% water consumed between June and Sept.  5. Xeriscaping: 7 principles, lowers water consumption (Las Vegas saved 8 billion gallons)  1. Damming of Salt and Verde Rivers: Hohokam canals built 1100 AD, irrigation/agriculture, Serious environmental consequences  2. Sprawl: Phoenix metro area covers 9000 sq. miles  3. Residential Watering/Landscape: Residential uses 2/3 of Phoenix water ﾊ ﾊ ﾊ ﾊ supply, landscape takes 80% of that 2/3.  4. Relationship between Water Consumption and Temperature: Urban Heat Island Effect raises temp. 12 degrees at night, household water use increases by 4.61 kL annually when temperatures rise 1 degree C, 33.8 F which accounts for 0.77% annual use for every 1 degree C (33.8 F) of urban heat, 40% water consumed between June and Sept.  5. Xeriscaping: 7 principles, lowers water consumption (Las Vegas saved 8 billion gallons)

Urban Planning There are 4 main sources of water for Phoenix.  Reclaimed Water  Groundwater  Salt River Project  Central Arizona Project There are 4 main sources of water for Phoenix.  Reclaimed Water  Groundwater  Salt River Project  Central Arizona Project

Conservation  2/3 of the water supply in Phoenix is used for purposes outside of the household.  Water consumption trends need to change  Phoenix’s population growth rate is unfavorable to water sustainability  2/3 of the water supply in Phoenix is used for purposes outside of the household.  Water consumption trends need to change  Phoenix’s population growth rate is unfavorable to water sustainability

Governmental Policy  In Phoenix, Arizona the state government has been forced to address the major threat of a drought to its population oAs the 5 th driest city in the US, Phoenix has to monitor its water levels closely in order to ensure that water levels remain sufficient.  Agricultural Impact In 2002 the Bush administration cited Arizona as a “drought disaster” area in large part due to depleted ponds and reservoirs -Cattlemen suffered the brunt of the drought, having to sell herds at discounted prices  Drought Management Plan oPhoenix city government instituted a Drought Management Plan in 1990  In Phoenix, Arizona the state government has been forced to address the major threat of a drought to its population oAs the 5 th driest city in the US, Phoenix has to monitor its water levels closely in order to ensure that water levels remain sufficient.  Agricultural Impact In 2002 the Bush administration cited Arizona as a “drought disaster” area in large part due to depleted ponds and reservoirs -Cattlemen suffered the brunt of the drought, having to sell herds at discounted prices  Drought Management Plan oPhoenix city government instituted a Drought Management Plan in 1990

Governmental Policy (Contd)  Salt River Project (SRP) oSupplies the Phoenix area with water by using a system of canals that are able to transport a sufficient supply of water  Central Arizona Project (CAP) oControlled by public organization: Central Arizona Water Conservation District 335 mile long aqueduct system that transports water from Colorado River to Phoenix Area  Strategies of Sustainability oWater Banking -Storing excess water in underground aquifers  Salt River Project (SRP) oSupplies the Phoenix area with water by using a system of canals that are able to transport a sufficient supply of water  Central Arizona Project (CAP) oControlled by public organization: Central Arizona Water Conservation District 335 mile long aqueduct system that transports water from Colorado River to Phoenix Area  Strategies of Sustainability oWater Banking -Storing excess water in underground aquifers