Trouble with water in Tucson (Phoenix, Pima: new home, water heater, landscaping)

[angerdux]

Well. we've finally made retirement and are hoping we could fulfill our dream of living in Tucson. We fell in love with it in 1995. But the water issue worries us.

We would never buy into a new development, not that they aren't lovely, but we'd rather not add to the burden new homes place on the environment.

We've been told the water will run out in 20 years. Is this true? Does the city have any plans for meeting the crisis [like brackish reservoirs]?

Thanks so much for your time answering this.

[brrrinmass]

Originally Posted by angerdux

Well. we've finally made retirement and are hoping we could fulfill our dream of living in Tucson. We fell in love with it in 1995. But the water issue worries us.

We would never buy into a new development, not that they aren't lovely, but we'd rather not add to the burden new homes place on the environment.

We've been told the water will run out in 20 years. Is this true? Does the city have any plans for meeting the crisis [like brackish reservoirs]?

Thanks so much for your time answering this.

Angerdux, we are not frrom AZ but are also planning on a relocation to the area. Check out this site for the long range plans of the Tucson water supply..... Tucson Water—Water Plan: 2000-2050

[Jukesgrrl]

You are very correct to be worried about this. Too bad many native Arizonans don't seem to join you in your concern. Not to mention the many people who come here from other places and decide to recreate the look they had at home since they're comfortable with it.

I posted some basic info on the dried out river beds on the Phoenix forum about a week ago, pointing out that those who build swimming pools and then don't use them, and people who cling to their totally inappropriate landscaping need to educate themselves about the impending water shortage. And my post was met mostly with disinterest and even some derision.

Pima County actually has one of the most sensible water usage plans in all of the Southwest, unfortunately you can't say the same for our state's population center -- and they get their water from the same southwestern water pact that we do. Unfortunately, the libertarian philosophy of "people should be allowed to do whatever they want" is a prevailing sentiment throughout Arizona currently. A far cry from the practices of the natives who nurtured this land generations before we got here.

Arizona DID make out very well in the latest round of revision of the water usage pact, so there's that in the plus column. If you'd like to educate yourself more about water usage issues, we have a national expert on the subject here in Tucson. Robert Glennon, who holds the Morris K. Udall Chair in the Rogers College of Law at the University of Arizona became well-known on the basis of his book Water Follies: Groundwater Pumping and the Fate of America’s Fresh Waters, which provides very interesting background on our water issues. He is also the author of some sensible solutions, detailed in his new book Unquenchable: America’s Water Crisis and What To Do About It (Island Press, 2009). His website is: Robert Glennon

[Bummer]

A concern, Angerdux and Brrrinmass . . . but definitely not reason for panic. There are positives and negatives for every "perfect" destination.

Prior to relocating to Tucson from Northern California about twelve years ago, I remember the "doomsdayers" ranting and raving for years about the water crisis in and around the San Francisco Bay Area. There were frequent water restrictions and "no flush" days throughout the 70's, 80's and early 90's but everyone seems to have survived.

I am not trying to minimize the importance of water conservation, however, I refuse to lose sleep over a possibility.

Good Luck.

[RickTucsonHomes]

Originally Posted by angerdux

Well. we've finally made retirement and are hoping we could fulfill our dream of living in Tucson. We fell in love with it in 1995. But the water issue worries us.

We would never buy into a new development, not that they aren't lovely, but we'd rather not add to the burden new homes place on the environment.

We've been told the water will run out in 20 years. Is this true? Does the city have any plans for meeting the crisis [like brackish reservoirs]?

Thanks so much for your time answering this.

I appreciate you sentiments of adding to urban sprawl. One can buy in a "newer" established development where you can still get the advantage of many of the current more environmentally friendly building methods. Better insulation, low flush toilets, water heaters with circulation pumps, more energy effecient AC units etc. As well as being designed with quite lovely low care front and back yards, taking advantage of the natural desert and native plants. You can get a great newer house and still be a good steward of our resources.

[RickTucsonHomes]

Originally Posted by Jukesgrrl

You are very correct to be worried about this. Too bad many native Arizonans don't seem to join you in your concern. Not to mention the many people who come here from other places and decide to recreate the look they had at home since they're comfortable with it.

I posted some basic info on the dried out river beds on the Phoenix forum about a week ago, pointing out that those who build swimming pools and then don't use them, and people who cling to their totally inappropriate landscaping need to educate themselves about the impending water shortage. And my post was met mostly with disinterest and even some derision.

Pima County actually has one of the most sensible water usage plans in all of the Southwest, unfortunately you can't say the same for our state's population center -- and they get their water from the same southwestern water pact that we do. Unfortunately, the libertarian philosophy of "people should be allowed to do whatever they want" is a prevailing sentiment throughout Arizona currently. A far cry from the practices of the natives who nurtured this land generations before we got here.

Arizona DID make out very well in the latest round of revision of the water usage pact, so there's that in the plus column. If you'd like to educate yourself more about water usage issues, we have a national expert on the subject here in Tucson. Robert Glennon, who holds the Morris K. Udall Chair in the Rogers College of Law at the University of Arizona became well-known on the basis of his book Water Follies: Groundwater Pumping and the Fate of America’s Fresh Waters, which provides very interesting background on our water issues. He is also the author of some sensible solutions, detailed in his new book Unquenchable: America’s Water Crisis and What To Do About It (Island Press, 2009). His website is: Robert Glennon

Thanks Jukes! Lots of good information. Is water conservation a passion of yours or is it an area you work in? Just curious.

[rbohm]

perhaps one day tucson will run out of water sources, but that wont be for sometime yet. tucson has had a water conservation program called beat the peak for more than two decades now, and for the most part it has done well, even with the increases in population. things like low water use plants, low water use toilets, dont water between 4pm and 6pm, water every other day, city parks using treated effluent for 97% of plant watering, the mines recycling water at a rate of 97%, etc. there are other ground water sources that are as yet not available to the tucson area by law, that could be opened up in the future.

[ohnonothimagain]

Water and Water usage in the Southwest will always be an issue-people continue to try and change the natural Desert Landscape into a Midwest or a Northeast Evergreen land...Leave the Desert as God intended it to be-a DESERT !!! Just my humble opinion..

[Jukesgrrl]

Originally Posted by RickTucsonHomes

Thanks Jukes! Lots of good information. Is water conservation a passion of yours or is it an area you work in? Just curious.

I was completely in the dark about desert water issues when I moved to Tucson a few years ago. But like many of us who previously lived in places where water was abundant, I immediately became cognizant of the fact that "you aren't in Kansas anymore, Dorothy" and started doing things like shutting off the faucet while I brush my teeth.

Then I just happened to meet Professor Glennon and heard him speak a few times. I thus became aware that Rillito wasn't always an empty ditch -- and why it is now. It got me very interested in the politics of water usage. (Maybe it was an omen that one of my favorite movies has always been Chinatown.)

I appreciate the fact that Pima County has a better water usage plan than almost anyplace in the Southwest, but as long as others don't, it's only a matter of time until the crisis hits. Many people in Las Vegas and Phoenix are still planting grass like there's no tomorrow. And the agricultural interests in Arizona are still trying to dictate water policy like it's 1920.

In my view, education is always a good thing, so I try to get other people to read Glennon's books. I've been amazed by the number of native Arizonans I've met who know nothing about water issues -- and don't really seem to care either. As long as they turn on the faucet and something comes out, no big whoop.

For people who'd like to start with something easier than a whole book, Glennon's Website has a tape of his appearance on The Daily Show where he happily spread water paranoia to Jon Stewart. It's funny and worth watching.

[RickTucsonHomes]

Originally Posted by Jukesgrrl

I was completely in the dark about desert water issues when I moved to Tucson a few years ago. But like many of us who previously lived in places where water was abundant, I immediately became cognizant of the fact that "you aren't in Kansas anymore, Dorothy" and started doing things like shutting off the faucet while I brush my teeth.

Then I just happened to meet Professor Glennon and heard him speak a few times. I thus became aware that Rillito wasn't always an empty ditch -- and why it is now. It got me very interested in the politics of water usage. (Maybe it was an omen that one of my favorite movies has always been Chinatown.)

I appreciate the fact that Pima County has a better water usage plan than almost anyplace in the Southwest, but as long as others don't, it's only a matter of time until the crisis hits. Many people in Las Vegas and Phoenix are still planting grass like there's no tomorrow. And the agricultural interests in Arizona are still trying to dictate water policy like it's 1920.

In my view, education is always a good thing, so I try to get other people to read Glennon's books. I've been amazed by the number of native Arizonans I've met who know nothing about water issues -- and don't really seem to care either. As long as they turn on the faucet and something comes out, no big whoop.

For people who'd like to start with something easier than a whole book, Glennon's Website has a tape of his appearance on The Daily Show where he happily spread water paranoia to Jon Stewart. It's funny and worth watching.

+

I am originally from Kansas, Dorothy was a friend of mine. Chinatown makes my top three all time movie list. But yes back in the midwest, thunderstorms can be hundreds of miles wide and takes days to pass over so there is an abundance of ground water. Thanks for the info.