How can Tucson keep growing if we are running out of water?
Although the drought in the Colorado River basin is serious, we have been planning and preparing for decades. The scenario projections in Chapter 4 of the One Water 2100 plan demonstrate that we have enough water supplies to meet projected demands for the next eight decades. These scenarios account for future changes to both our supplies and demand.
In the “Sustainable Oasis” scenario, Tucson Water will be able to meet demands with Colorado River water and continue to store some of this water for the future. In “Thirsty Desert” scenario, Tucson Water will start using stored Colorado River water and groundwater to meet future demands.
We cannot predict the future or control it, but these scenarios take the areas of greatest concern from the community engagement campaign into account. The strategies and implementation actions described in the One Water 2100 plan were also carefully designed with community input to avoid the risks of the “Thirsty Desert” scenario and work towards the “Sustainable Oasis” scenario. Implementing the plan’s strategies will expand our water resources, manage our demand, and continue to make us one of the most water resilient cities in the southwest.
Can we capture stormwater and use it as a resource?
Harvested rain and stormwater is the latest addition to our water resource portfolio. It reduces the amount of potable and recycled water required to support landscaping around our homes and in the City’s right of way. Desert adapted trees and plants provide shade and help cool our homes and streets. Tucson Water’s conservation program provides a rebate for rainwater harvesting and the Storm to Shade program designs, installs, and maintains green stormwater infrastructure on City of Tucson property. Green stormwater infrastructure also helps manage small scale stormwater by pulling water off the street and into basins. The plants that are supported by the harvested rain and stormwater capture carbon emissions.
The stormwater collected in these sites generally does not reach the aquifer. The aquifer lies far below the surface of the Tucson basin. Rain and stormwater collection basins provide water for the root zone, but anything that isn’t used by plants will most likely evaporate before it reaches the aquifer.
How do we make sure everyone is using water efficiently and saving as much as they can?
Tucson’s conservation program started in the early 1970s and has developed into one of the most robust conservation programs in the country. The program has three main elements: education, incentives, and water use audits.
Tucson Water contracts with several partners that provide outreach, conservation services and education throughout our service area. Tucson Water partners with Arizona Project WET (APW) and Environmental Education Exchange (EEExchange) to offer youth education programs, and Smartscape which offers adult education for landscape professionals and residents. In the last 14 years with a dedicated conservation fund, our education partners have reached over 610,000 students and community members.
The conservation program offers an array of incentives and rebates for water efficient plumbing fixtures and landscape improvements. To date, these are some of the results from the incentives:
- Nearly 15,000 acre feet of water saved
- Over 71,000 High-efficiency toilets and urinal installations, including 8,400 free toilets for low-income customers
- Over 3,500 rainwater harvesting and gray water installations, including nearly 500 subsidized systems for low-income customers
Tucson Water Zanjeros have conducted over 19,000 water audits for customers over the years. A recent analysis found that single-family customers who have received a water audit save over 1,200 gallons per month for at least two years following a water audit. Click here to learn more about the conservation program rebates and audits.
The high priority demand management strategies described in Chapter 6 will build on the existing conservation program. Tucson Water has already begun a pilot project with smart meters to alert customers more quickly about leaks and to provide real time information on their water use.
What are the next steps for the plan and how can I get involved?
Mayor and Council will discuss the draft One Water 2100 plan on September 6, 2023 and provide their feedback. That feedback will be incorporated into the next draft that Mayor and Council will review on October 17, 2023. Once the plan is approved, Tucson Water staff will start implementing the strategies and actions in Chapter 6. Annual progress reports will be presented to Mayor and Council and the public. You can find out about the plan’s progress and implementation by signing up for Water Matters, our monthly newsletter.
Stakeholder group letters and responses:
- Letter: Tortolita Alliance
- Letter: Southern Arizona Home Builders Association, Arizona Multihousing Association, Tucson Association of Realtors
- Letter: Lisa Shipek with Watershed Management Group
- Letter: Tucson Metro Chamber
A full list of the edits, public comments, and types of responses for the draft plan can be found by clicking here.
For a full list of public comments for the draft plan, please click here.
