Issues
Water/Waste Water
Our water supply is finite. I believe that water conservation must not be used as a justification for further spatial development.
Without a scientific breakthrough, the cost of desalinization and transporting water from the Sea of Cortez effectively removes that option as a new water source. It is time to acknowledge the limit to our water supply and make what I call “grown-up” plans to live within that supply. This requires several legal and policy-making actions.
These actions will take place in a water supply context where the City of Tucson supplies water for Pima County residents both inside and outside the Tucson City limits. Tucson Water supplies reach Dove Mountain to the north and Vail to the east. For the County’s part, it manages the waste water services wherever the City provides water service. In other words, the County has no direct control over water supply, but through effluent management, it has a compelling influence.
Actions I will take to move toward a sustainable water supply?
First, I will establish a science-based water supply assessment so we know how much water will be available during given time periods. This is essential, given the water decline in Lake Mead and our current dependence on CAP water. In December, 2007, Arizona signed an agreement with California and Nevada in which Arizona agreed to take a 40,000 acre-feet cut in CAP water for every decline of 25 feet in water elevation between 1075 ft and 1025 above sea level as measured on January 1. At a water elevation of 1025 ft. and below, Arizona takes a cut of 80,000 acre-feet. As of June 18, 2008, Lake Mead water level is at 1105 ft. above sea level. “Normal conditions” for Lake Mead are a water level of 1145 to 1075 ft. above sea level.
Second, I will continue the work of the City/County Water Study Committee and expand it to bring in all parties (other municipalities, community councils from unincorporated areas, private water companies and private well owners, agricultural interests and tribes). Together, all stakeholders will participate in identifying what it will take to continue living in Pima County given declining water supply and climate change. I anticipate we will see a decline in water supply sooner rather than later if for no other reason than the impact of development carried out under the misleadingly titled “100 Year water supply.”
Third, I will work with counties in a similar condition to lobby the legislature for revision of water law in line with scientific knowledge rather than political expediency. I am known to many members of the State Legislature from my years as Chair of the Pima County Democratic Party and as Vice Chair of the Arizona State Democratic Party and am confident that the 2008 General Election will produce a Democratic majority in both houses of the State Legislature. I anticipate changes in water law being a strong possibility.
Fourth,I will craft a plan with the development industry that will allow business to continue in a manner and at a pace that is sustainable. This goal has both environmental and economic consequences. (More on this later)
Fifth, after urban boundaries are negotiated, I will support installation of roof water catchment, gray water plumbing, landscape berms and swales, additional installation of low-flow appliances and other water conservation methods, first promoting these measures through owner cost-savings, then rebates, then building codes for new building, then remodels, then all buildings.
Putting the programs into place, water savings and funding
I will implement these programs by using county staff and working with other stakeholders. I will propose expanding the staff and planning capacity of the County’s Environmental Office and working in cooperation with Tucson Sustainability Office and other jurisdictions.
I propose that County Flood Control office work with school districts and other public sectors with large buildings to co-fund water catchment systems. This reduces the work load for flood control and the demand for potable water used by the public entities. I will propose that County operations themselves implement the programs and seek employee input to identify others water-saving projects (road design that channels rainwater to vegetation, etc.)
In developing comprehensive plans with other jurisdictions, I will propose hiring a planning/facilitation team. I imagine something like the SDCP developing, but in a shorter time frame due to climate change urgency.
I can’t say how much water would be saved from these various approaches. However, according to Brad Lancaster, permaculture expert and author of Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond, Tucson could meet all its residential needs if every roof captured rainwater.
