…during last week’s Special Study session on potential changes to Oro Valley’s Water Conservation Code. You can see Monday’s post to read our report on that session.
There were two comments by Oro Valley Water Director Peter Abraham, a person who is bullish on Oro Valley’s water situation. Abraham was responding to questions from council.
There were two comments by Oro Valley Water Director Peter Abraham, a person who is bullish on Oro Valley’s water situation. Abraham was responding to questions from council.
Water conservation efforts have yielded all they can
First, Abraham stated that total water use has been increasing the past three years. This, after years of decrease due to resident water conservation efforts. This during years when Oro Valley added lots of new residences and water connections. Abraham said that it looks to him like resident conservation efforts have yielded all the water saving results they can.
Yes. We agree. That is possibly true. But we also think that the Hiremath years of rampant residential growth have overtaken resident ability to use less and less water. Abraham said he is going to “keep an eye” on the situation. We hope so.
Abraham sees NWWRDS as the solution to Oro Valley’s water needs
Yes. We agree. That is possibly true. But we also think that the Hiremath years of rampant residential growth have overtaken resident ability to use less and less water. Abraham said he is going to “keep an eye” on the situation. We hope so.
Abraham sees NWWRDS as the solution to Oro Valley’s water needs
The second thing, one that is the first time we heard this from Abraham, is that an added “source” of water to the town’s water supply is needed to safely accommodate growth in users. This added supply will come “online” in 2024. It will come from the Northwest Recharge, Recovery, and Delivery System (NWRRDS). That is a joint project with Marana that is led by Metro Water. NWRRDS will deliver up to 4,000 acre feet of water per year to Oro Valley water from a new reservoir. Turns out that that reservoir is a transfer of more CAP water from one of the CAP reservoirs in Avra Valley that store CAP water.
NWWRDS is CAP water… It’s not a new source
NWWRDS is CAP water… It’s not a new source
Yes. CAP water. So it’s not a new source.
It’s the same water source that the State’s CAP water Czar thinks will be restricted at level 2 or 3 by 2024 or 2025. Just when NWRRD comes on line. These are levels that will reduce Arizona’s CAP water allotment further and eventually Oro Valley’s water allotment from CAP.
It’s the same water source that the State’s CAP water Czar thinks will be restricted at level 2 or 3 by 2024 or 2025. Just when NWRRD comes on line. These are levels that will reduce Arizona’s CAP water allotment further and eventually Oro Valley’s water allotment from CAP.
Abraham is counting on NWRRDS to accommodate the growth in population. But this is hardly a long-term, reliable supply of water.
A real, sustainable alternative source must be developed
A real, sustainable alternative source must be developed
We’ve studied the CAP water situation for years. We were the first to report on possible restrictions of CAP water. We concluded long ago that the Oro Valley water future is far from bright if this drought continues (which experts suspect it will) and if Oro Valley continues its path of hell-bent growth (which we believe it will).
So, as agreements on CAP water allocation stand today, CAP is not long term solution to how to supply the big growth plans Oro Valley (and the rest of the Southwest) has.
“Desal” can make the Southwest water sustainable… but will politics derail it?
So, as agreements on CAP water allocation stand today, CAP is not long term solution to how to supply the big growth plans Oro Valley (and the rest of the Southwest) has.
“Desal” can make the Southwest water sustainable… but will politics derail it?
The Southwest and Oro Valley can become water sustainable by moving toward Desal plants. These plants can take the brine out of brackish underground water. They can take the salt out of the ocean. But they are many political barriers that will prevent this from happening until the water crisis is so dire that something simply must be be done. By then, many of us will be “long gone.”
