ACTIONS FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
Avoiding a Water Shortage and Protecting the Verde River
Today, we are heading in the wrong direction. The threat of a long-term water shortage for our region comes from the large and growing overdraft of our aquifer and continuing climate change. We need to reduce and eventually eliminate the overdraft and to mitigate the effects of climate change on our water supply.
- We can't look to the state government for help in saving our aquifer because laws and regulations are focused on growth, not protection of aquifers. See Will ADWR Help?
- The artificial goal of “safe yield” is diverting attention from the real work that needs to be done. See Is Safe Yield a Solution?
- A critical step is for our officials to acknowledge the problem and start making plans. See the article Planning Can Show the Way to learn more about:
- A long-term plan prepared by municipal and regional officials will provide an overall strategy.
- Short-term plans for municipalities will develop the specific conservation programs to reduce excessive water use and to minimize the negative impacts of development.
- New approaches can be evaluated as part of the planning process. These include converting septic systems to sewer, capturing stormwater, and water-neutral developments. See Aquifer Augmentation.
As citizens, we should contact our current government officials and explain why current water management policies are not sustainable. And, at election time, we should support those candidates who promise to work to protect our water supply and the upper Verde River.
For a summary of the threats to our water supply see this article.
Join the Citizens Water Advocacy Group and help us meet the challenge!
Updated February 7,2021