The Water Plight of Phoenix

The Water Plight of Phoenix

Sean McMorris, Jimmy Svigos, Ki Hoon Kim, Griffin Leahy, Filaree MooreSean McMorris, Jimmy Svigos, Ki Hoon Kim, Griffin Leahy, Filaree Moore

Water Supply and DroughtWater 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 FacetsEnvironmental 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 PlanningUrban Planning

There are 4 main sources of water for Phoenix.

Reclaimed WaterGroundwaterSalt River ProjectCentral Arizona Project

There are 4 main sources of water for Phoenix.

Reclaimed WaterGroundwaterSalt River ProjectCentral Arizona Project

ConservationConservation

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 PolicyGovernmental Policy In Phoenix, Arizona the state government has been forced to

address the major threat of a drought to its populationo As the 5th 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 Plano Phoenix 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

o As the 5th 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 Plano Phoenix city government instituted a Drought Management Plan in

1990

Governmental Policy (Contd)Governmental Policy (Contd)

Salt River Project (SRP)o Supplies 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)o Controlled by public organization: Central Arizona Water

Conservation District

• 335 mile long aqueduct system that transports water from Colorado River to Phoenix Area

Strategies of Sustainabilityo Water Banking

-Storing excess water in underground aquifers

Salt River Project (SRP)o Supplies 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)o Controlled by public organization: Central Arizona Water

Conservation District

• 335 mile long aqueduct system that transports water from Colorado River to Phoenix Area

Strategies of Sustainabilityo Water Banking

-Storing excess water in underground aquifers