The Watchdog Report: “Kicking the Can” on Drinking Water use for Pusch Ridge Golf is Unacceptable

Pusch Ridge Golf course used 34 Million Gallons of drinking water so far in 2021
On December 8, 2021, I sent an email to the entire Town Council delineating the monthly drinking water usage for 2021 at the Pusch Ridge 9-hole golf course. The total was 34,608,000 gallons.

Ten million gallons of drinking water were used in October
The bill due 11/24/21 indicated drinking water usage of 10,382,000 gallons for the month of October. I wrote to the Water Utility to question if I was reading the bill correctly since October drinking water usage was about 4 – 5 times the amount of normal monthly usage. The response I received was “The [drinking] water increase was due to the over-seeding process and watering of the seed.” The cost of over-seeding was $37,367.16 of your tax money.

The mayor’s response
When I informed the Mayor/Council, in an earlier communication, that the drinking water usage at Pusch Ridge for the bill due 12/22/21 was 4,045,000 gallons, the response from Mayor Winfield was: “The Council by a 6 to 1 vote agreed to operate the Pusch Ridge Golf Course for three years. We are in the first of a three year commitment. The course is operated in the cooler months of the year to reduce water consumption.“

Mr. Mayor, November is one of our cooler months and still the usage was over 4 million gallons. I have to wonder, does the mayor (and council) not care about drinking water waste? Are we all supposed to just suck it up because the Council voted to continue operating the Pusch Ridge course for another 3 years? That decision along with the associated waste of millions of gallons of our drinking water is irresponsible.

Stop wasting drinking water
Let me put the total usage of 34,608,000 is perspective. The average home in Oro Valley uses 7,000 gallons a month, or 84,000 gallons a year (7,000 x 12). This means that the amount of drinking water wasted on the Pusch Ridge course in 2021, is enough to service over 412 homes a year (34,608,000 divided by 84,000). The complete Silverhawk development along First Ave is only 215 homes.

Heavy use of drinking water to irrigate the Pusch Ridge Golf Course is real and it is not going away

There are real issues with the CAP drinking water and Colorado River allotments. However, the Pusch Ridge course irrigation uses drinking water, not reclaimed water or CAP water. 

Take action

We (me and you) need to scream at the council: "STOP THE DRINKING WATER WASTE."  “Kicking the can” down the road to another council is simply not acceptable.
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Mike Zinkin and his wife have lived in Oro Valley since 1998. He served on the Oro Valley Development Review Board from 2005-2009, the Board of Adjustment from 2011-2012, and the Town Council from 2012-2016. He was named a Fellow for the National League of Cities. He was a member of the NLC Steering Committee for Community and Economic Development and a member of the Arizona League of Cities Budget and Economic Development Committee. He was an Air Traffic Controller for 30 years. Mike has a Bachelor’s degree in history and government from the University of Arizona and a Master’s degree in Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education from California State University, Northridge.

The Miners: A Futuristic Story by “Nombe Watanabe”

Those of you who have been following LOVE for years will remember one of our regular bloggers who went by the pseudonym, “Nombe Watanabe.” We always looked forward to his posts as they were not only factual, civil, and well-reasoned, but also witty. We recently received the following submission from “Nombe.”

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The Location
Tucson Area in the not-too-distant future, in the 82nd year of the Great Drought. The “hot zone” is divided into resource areas for exploitation.

The Cast
Hans, Ping Xi, and Tommy Joe are miners, copper miners to be exact, although from time to time there is a call for other materials. Their common language is Spanglish and they live in an underground dormitory blasted into what was once Kartchner Caverns. Their lives are short and brutish, but the pay is good and they can support what is left of their families in the North.

The Story
The robotic trains come down from the temperate zone in the Canada Resettlement Administrative Area (CRAA), bringing water, food and other supplies. Then the trains are loaded for the return trip with copper wire, and other processed minerals, stripped by the miners from any ruins or standing buildings left in the desert. Why struggle for minerals in the earth, when refined product is parching on the surface?

The miners can only work at night, for it is too hot for human existence during the day. But from the former US/Mexican border to the Nevada wasteland, there is a rich vein of abandoned wealth free for the taking.

Back in the 21st Century, people used to wonder how the various governments could allow such expansive development. As the climate grew warmer and the great water sheds declined, still they built and still people moved to an area not able to support human habitation into the 22nd Century.

When it all collapsed, the climate migrants swarmed northward. North to water, north to food, north for a chance at life. Some made it, most did not.

The Message
You really have to think about development in the desert during a major drought and climate change. Think about the motives of the people who tell you that it will be fine, and that there is plenty of water. Remember, there is plenty of water, until there isn’t.

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Editor’s Note: On the same day that we received this article, LOVE learned that the amount of potable (drinking) water utilized on the Pusch Ridge course during November 2021 was 4,045,000 gallons.

Friends of Pusch Ridge Golf Address Potable Water Use Challenge

The Pusch Ridge Golf Course uses drinking water for irrigation

In reopening the Pusch Ridge Golf Course, the The Oro Valley Town Council committed to use drinking water to irrigate the course; enough drinking water to supply 400 plus single family homes. The commitment was made at a time when the Western US is facing a long-term drought, so severe that CAP water is now under a Level 1 restriction with a higher level restriction expected in the near future.

What to do is complicated

To date, we know of no action the council has taken to reduce the total drinking water use on this course. The council summarily dismissed the idea of bringing reclaimed water to the Pusch Ridge Golf Course. That would cost $4 million. The council has mentioned the idea of turf reduction. However, there are no announced plans.

Friends of Pusch Ridge Golf recognize the challenge

Enter into this situation, "Friends of Pusch Ridge Golf".  As we wrote yesterday, they are working with the town to create an economically viable entity. The also understand the need to do something about the drinking water used.

Here are their thoughts, as presented by spokesperson Tony D'Angelo. 

To some extent, they are waiting to see what the town wants to do 

"Friends of Pusch Ridge Golf is very mindful of this challenge and the fact Pusch Ridge Golf currently uses potable water. At this point Oro Valley Water has offered no challenge to the golf course’s water use plan for this season. If and when more restrictive water limitations are imposed, our group will support whatever actions the town water authority believes are necessary to protect the town’s water supply."

Focusing, at the moment, of getting the most economic return from the course

"We do recognize that this use of water today may impact what is required sometime in the future to sustain resident families. Therefore, all we can do is work as hard as we can to get the most benefit from the water used to green the golf course and produce income. We believe we are doing this by working to make sure the amount of play and revenues generated provide a reasonable return on investment. The town council authorized three years of operation to see if it can be a true value to the town. We know the pressure is on. This first year is all about proving the course can be a net benefit to the town."

Sees turf reduction in non playable areas

"Assuming we are successful this season, we hope to work with the town before it reopens next year on plans to reduce turf in non-playable areas and therefore reduce water requirements. We hope to continue to grow the numbers of Friends of Pusch Ridge and offer financial support to the town beyond what the three HOA’s surrounding the course have committed to provide to tackle this challenge."

Ultimately, we have to find a way to get off potable water. 

"It is unfortunate that when the state, years ago required golf courses to use reclaimed water, Oro Valley sought and received a waiver from the requirement for Pusch Ridge. Now the costs to do so are greater. Everyone in town has to be more creative in solving this challenge. The easy answer seems to be to just close down golf courses. The impact on the quality of life and the economics of such a decision seem to deserve we explore other options first.

We believe there are solutions out there

We just hope people and circumstances with the drought give us time to find a good one. Oro Valley is a great community that does deserve to excel. Friends of Pusch Ridge Golf sincerely wants to contribute to the town’s continued growth and sustainability."

Bits and Pieces

Lots Happening At Pusch Ridge Golf

The town’s Pusch View 9-hole golf course opens November 1. Prior to that, on October 30, the town is hosting a pre-opening golf event. It’s a sold out event! The group, “Friends of Pusch Ridge Golf” is also sponsoring the event. They have also announced three new golf leagues. You can learn more about that here.

Oro Valley average population is aging

This information just for the record. Based on the town’s 2020 Parks and Recreation Master Plan, 32% of residents are over 64. This population segment is expected to increase by about 1 percentage point each year through 2034.  During the same time period, the population of kids under 18 is expected to decrease from 16% to 12%. The vast majority of Oro Valley homes are situated on small lots, are smaller homes and have no place for kids to play. It may well be that the town’s housing stock simply is not attractive for younger families. (Source: 2021 Parks and Recreation Master Plan, section 3.4.1)

Pima County no longer in severe drought

The monsoon rains have significantly changed the state’s official drought designations. Pima County has moved rom sever drought to abnormally dry to moderate drought conditions. This is a huge change from just one year ago. Learn more here.

Guest. View-Mike Zinkin: Town Wastes Drinking Water on Golf While The The West Suffers Severe Drought

Drought

The incredible pictures of a depleted Lake Mead, on the California-Nevada border, illustrate the effects of drought brought on by climate change. 

Later this year, the US government will almost certainly declare the first-everwater shortage along the Colorado River. Maps show more than a quarter of the US is in "exceptional drought," underscoring the scope of a decades-long dry- out. 

Stories are popping up across the West of possible rationing, coming restrictions, and looming standoffs between farmers and the government over the most precious natural resource. 

Restrictions

States like Arizona and Nevada are almost guaranteed to have their water allotment from the Colorado River cut back, which through a complicated drought contingency tier system agreed to by states in 2019 will affect farmers first. But the warning signs are there for urban areas and surrounding states to conserve and evolve. 

In the San Francisco Bay Area, served by a different water system, residents are being asked to reduce water usage by 15% compared to 2019. 

 
Houseboats were removed from the state's second-largest reservoir because the water level fell so low. The hydropower plant at the same reservoir may be forcedoffline for the first time because of low water. 

Standoff

To the north, there's a sharp disagreement in Oregon between farmers cut off from water to irrigate their potatoes and federal officials trying to save an endangered species of fish. 

When CNN's Lucy Kafanov reported from the Klamath Basin last week, she did her live shot from the parched bottom of a lake that should be feet deep. 

 
The farmers set up shop in a tent outside the canal headgate and were all but threatening to break in and open the gates themselves, like they did 20 years ago. 

Lake Meade

The most visible and striking effect of the heat and drought is at Lake Mead, which is at its lowest levels since it was filled during construction of the Hoover Dam in the 1930s. 

Less snowpack and more evaporation from hot temperatures have taken their toll over the course of decades to the point where its dropped more than 140 feet since 2000 and sits at not much more than a third of its capacity.

It’s time to pull the plug

And while all this happens with no end in sight, the town wastes drinking water to make a 9-hole golf course green. They waste water while they tell us to conserve. It’s time to pull the plug!

Possible Water Use Restrictions Fail To Consider Regulating Future Connections

Council considers plans for possible future water restrictions tonight

The Oro Valley Town Council will study water restriction measures that might be required in the future if certain water system events happen. These events are embodied in a possible revision of Ordinance 15-18, Water Conservation. These events relate to water demand and supply.  

No restrictions are imminent

At present, the Oro Valley water utility has the ability to produce and distribute more water than demand requires. It has been that way for many years, especially once the town began accepting Central Arizona Water (“CAP”) in 2012. The town depends on CAP water to provide a sustainable water supply. CAP water has enabled growth.

CAP water restrictions are imminent. At some time in the future, these will impact the town’s water supply. Thus, the town is moving now to define the circumstances under which it would restrict water use; and how it would do so.

Possible restrictions paint a glimpse into a rather gloomy future

The draft Water Conservation ordinance has four water supply event levels. Each level has water use reduction actions the water department will require of users. These range from voluntary actions, in stage 1, to severe restrictions by phase 4. The following chart summarizes the events and the actions.

The draft ordinance includes penalties, the most severe of which is disconnection of services. Other actions include installing a water restriction device on the service to the property.

Restrictions fail to consider new connections

The draft ordinance does not mention new connections. Thus, based on the ordinance as drafted, new connections can be happening at the same time the current users are struggling to meet required water reduction measures. Imagine a 500 unit apartment going on stream during a level 2 restriction. Residents can’t wash their cars but apartment owners can fill their units. This makes no sense.

Oro Valley Plans Now For Potential Water Use Restrictions Later

The drought is 22 years and counting
The Southwest and the Western US is in a 22 year long drought. It is severe. It is the second longest drought in recorded history. There is no end in sight. Even one or two rainy years won’t solve the drought problem. 

The drought has impacted CAP water

The drought problem won’t be solved unless there are substantial continuing high snow pack, slow melt years in the Rockies. It’s the snow pack melt that provides the bulk of water to the Colorado River system (CAP). It is a system that has seen the slow, continuing decrease in water levels in its two primary lakes: Lake Powell and Lake Meade. 

Oro Valley is dependent on CAP water

CAP water was first introduced to Oro Valley in 2012. Given it’s extensive growth, Oro Valley has not become dependent upon it. By 2020, it was 33% of Oro Valley water. CAP water is used to replenish Oro Valley’s groundwater. Oro Valley’s ground water would not be sustainable without CAP Water.

Tier 1 CAP water system-wide restriction will start in January

As LOVE has reported, the US Bureau of Reclamation, the federal agency responsible for administering CAP, will implement Stage 1 CAP water delivery restrictions when water levels in Lake Meade 1075 feet above sea level. State CAP officials expect that the BLM will make this decision in August for January implementation. This will restrict agricultural water users in terms of the quantity delivered. 

The Tier 1 restriction will not effect Oro Valley’s CAP allocation

It may affect how that allocation is used since the Tier 1 restriction bans CAP water use for replenishment. If this is the case, then Oro Vally Water may have to used this water directly.

Town Council to consider changes to water conservation code “in light of drought…and in expectation of future CAP water delivery curtailments”
Wednesday, The Oro Valley Town Council will take a first step in recognizing the potential impact of the 21 year drought on Oro Valley’s water supply. Later stage CAP restrictions, if they occur, will reduce Oro Valley’s CAP water delivery. The council will discuss, in study session, possible changes to Oro Valley’s water conservation code (article 15-18) 

“In light of the 22-year drought experienced by Arizona, and the expectation of future Central Arizona Project (CAP) water delivery curtailments that could someday affect Oro Valley's CAP deliveries, the Water Utility Commission and staff recommend that now is a good time to update the water code with respect to prohibiting water wasting, the imposition of water restrictions during a Town declared potable water shortage and impose penalties for failure to comply with water conservation requirements during a Town declared potable water shortage.”

Proposed water conservation code change would make water wasting illegal... subject to fines
“Water wasting” (see panel above) would be illegal under the proposed code. The code defines four levels of enforcement regarding water wasting. Essentially, the property owner has six weeks to fix the problem before any fines are levied.The water department, not the police, are responsible for this enforcement.

Wednesday: Proposed code changes specify restrictions in declared water emergency

The bulk of the proposed ordinance regards when the water utility can declare a water emergency, the level of emergencies that it can declare, and the actions that it it will take. This is important because it tells us what to expect if the drought continues. This will be the subject of our posting Wednesday. 

Drought Causes Water Rate Increase

Increase for both residential and golf course users

The Oro Valley Town Council approved a water rate increase last week. The increase will go into effect on July 1. The August billing will reflect the new rates. The town estimates that 87% of residential water users will see a 4% increase in the water cost each month. Reclaimed water users, primarily golf courses, will also see a 4% increase. In both instances, the water rate increases are based on the cost of serving customers.

Residential cost increase because of drought

The primary drive of the residential waterrate increase is the long term drought. One impact is on the cost of CAP water to the town. The town will experience a 20% increase in the cost of CAP water because the CAP Tier 1 shortage (see previous LOVE reports) results in fewer total CAP users. CAP costs are the same. So total cost per user increases. A second reason is the Tucson Water is increasing the cost they charge for delivering this water to Oro Valley by 4%. They will do this for each of the next 5 years. 

“Tax Multiplier Effect” makes increase greater 

The total increase in water billing will be higher than just for the water increase. This is because of the multiplier effect. That effect is caused because the town charges a sales tax and a utility tax based on dollar usage. This increases the effective potable water rate increase by 10%.

Tucson Water increases cost of Oro Valley reclaimed water 17%

Oro Valley water gets its recla imed water from the City of Tucson. The city increased their charges for reclaimed water by 17%. This is far more than the actual increase of 4% that the reclaimed water users will see. Speaking at last week’s meeting, Oro Valley Water Director Peter Abraham said that 17% cost  increase in Tucson Water’s reclaimed water is a one time adjustment based on a cost of service study done by Tucson Water. Abraham said that he has not seen this study.

Tucson Water has been in the news recently because of its position of proposing to “sock it to” water users who reside outside the City. The latest action is a proposal to substantially raise water rates (“differential rates”) to users who live in unincorporated foothills. The city has presented no cost justification to do so. Instead, it has proffered a political reason: “Differential water rates will. drive incorporation of the foothills or annexation.” (Source: Tom Stellar Article on Tucson,.com [subscription required]).

Increases golf course water cost $12k per year

The increase in reclaimed water rates has a significant impact on golf courses, the primary user. “The typical 18-hole turf customer consumes 10 million gallons of water per month.” Their monthly water bill will increase approximately $12,000 annually. This is less than a 17% increase in cost since the rate is based on the town’s own cost of service study.

Expect a water rate increase annually

Last year, the council did not approve the requested water rate increase. The council wanted to keep ratepayer burden at bay during the uncertain early days of the Covid Pandemic. This year’s increase in water rates keeps with Water Director Peter Abraham’s philosophy that annual “small” rate increases are far better for consumers than a large one time rate increase every few years.

“Best deal in town”

According to Abraham, Oro Valley Water is the “best deal in town”. It cost less than other municipalities (See panel) and the quality is excellent. In addition, he said, “we give great service.”

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For more information, see our February  report on this water rate increase.

Bits and Pieces

Council Member Greene identifies potential major corporate member for Oro Valley Municipal Golf 

Oro Valley Municipal Golf has four corporate members. It needs more. During last week’s council study session on the budget, Council Member Mo Greene told town park’s director Kristy Dias Trahan that the owner of Westward Look told him that he was looking for a place for the resort’s guest to play golf. After along pause (she was dumbfounded) she said that she would follow up. Here’s a “shoutout” to Council Member Greene. 

Oro Valley experiencing exceptional drought conditions…Tucson area is 10% drier

The 20 year drought continues. “The Southwest US has experienced some of the greatest changes with the decadal shift more than 10% drier” according to the national weather service. During this same time period its hotter by about 1/2 degree annually during the past thirty years. We’ve included a panel with map showing the changes in both precipitation and temperature. 

Oro Vista apartment architecture approved 

The expansion of the Oro Vista apartment complex was an administrative approval and not a zoning approval. The property was zoned long ago for apartment use, according to Town Planning and Zoning head Bayer Vella. That is why the item was on the consent agenda. 

Council Member Jones-Ivey made sure that council publicly discussed the item at last weeks’ council meeting. As it turns out, this is item is on the agenda for the approval of the architecture of the property. Council discussed the Planning and Zoning Commission’s request that the stone front of the building as it faces Lambert Lane be increased. The council rejected this. 

Mayor Winfield noted: “I think it is incredibly unfortunate that the view of the Catalinas [from Noble Hops] will be lost” once the facility is built, but the town can not do anything about that since the project was approved by a previous council. Also, the property manager, Beztak, said they would continue to investigate what may be a lack of adequate parking for the commercial property that houses Noble Hops and other establishments once the apartments are built. 

 Council approved the measures 6-0 (Council Member Solomon Absent)

Colorado River Water Reduction: “State of Certainty”

Arizona faces Colorado River water cuts in 2022

Arizona will face an 30% reduction in Colorado River Water allocation starting in 2022. This will happen when the US Bureau of  Reclamation, the federal authority charged with managing the supply, declares a Tier1 emergency in August. 

That declaration is a certainty

Lake Mead, the state’s primary source of Colorado River Water, is at 38% of capacity. That is five feet over the trigger shortage level. The declaration will allow Arizona take no more than 70% of its allowable water supply.

Cities should prepare

According to State Water Director Tom Buschatzke, users should be preparing for drought water reductions even though most of the water cuts will impact agricultural users first. “Despite mitigation efforts for those farmers, ag entities in impacted areas ultimately may have to reduce acreage by 30% to 40%.” Under Tier1, water banking and replenishment would also be eliminated.(source)

According to Buschatzke, there may be some locales that may want to start preparing. The drought may well last another 20 years. “It’s up to cities to put in homeowner restrictions.”

Oro Valley residents conserve

The town of Oro Valley has a very successful resident-centric water saving program. Residents can follow their water consumption daily if they wish. They can ask for and participate in water audits provide by the the town. They plant desert appropriate flora. Use water efficient drip systems. 

…Town needs to follow suit

At the same time the Town of Oro Valley advocates for growth which results in the need for even more total drinking water consumption. Recently, the town reopened a golf course that uses far more drinking water than all the water residents save each year.

The town’s water director has stated on repeated occasions that Oro Valley has enough water for the next 100 years, that the town can accommodate growth, and that it costs too much ($4million) to bring reclaimed water to the Pusch Ridge reopened golf course.  

…Could extend the reclaimed water system to save millions of gallons of drinking water

What he has failed to mention is that the Oro Valley Country Club currently used drinking water for its course. Thus, extending the reclaimed water system to Pusch Ridge would then bring this water close to the OVCC so it could also switch over. Imagine the millions of acre feet of drinking water that would save.

We wonder: Isn’t his position better suited for climates where this is plenty of water and not one facing a 20-year drought with no end in sight?

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Source