By Betty Janik & Sonnie Kirtley
Photo Source: AZ Big Media
The desert southwest has suffered sustained drought since the mid 1990’s and this condition is expected to continue. Recent winters experienced record setting heat which intensifies the condition. Water from the Colorado River is hurting and by extension, the Central Arizona Project (CAP) canal. The CAP delivers water to the most populated regions in Arizona, particularly the Phoenix and Tucson metropolitan areas. About 65% of Scottsdale’s water comes from the CAP. With Arizona’s CAP water supply having junior priority status, it faces a significant reduction in allocation. A cut of 30% -40% is a real possibility.
The current operating rules for the river expire this year. The negotiations among the seven basin states are extremely contentious. All seven states, 30 Indian tribes, and Mexico must agree on a new framework for sharing a shrinking resource or the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) will make the decision. The outcome will determine water rights for future generations.
Scottsdale will take a hit, but has some safeguards in place. We have been storing excess CAP water for years, which gives us a buffer for a couple of years. But what of our future water supply?
Where will new water come from?
- Conservation
* Status: readily available, stretches current supply
* Cost: savings realized
*Recommendation: reinstate the water and heat guidelines of Sustainability Plan to educate public
* Timeline: available now
- Harquahala Groundwater Basin
* Stakeholders include two private Scottsdale golf courses (water rights purchased in 2013 @ $10M) and City of Scottsdale (water rights purchased in 2015 @ $3M)
* Finite source (limited duration)
* Status – requires several levels of permitting including National Environmental and Planning Agency (NEPA), BOR, and delivery system
* Cost: delivery system is extremely expensive
* Recommendation: continue to monitor progress
* Timeline: request to Congress for final authorization in 2028-29, construct pipe line
- APRW – Advanced Purified Recycled Water
* This Scottsdale project has been ongoing for several years, successful pilot study
* Renewable source
* Arizona established final regulations for potable water in 2026
* Approved in 5-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) 2025-30
* Removed from CIP 2026
* Costs: $151 M for 10 million gallons/day (mgd) or $192 M for 20mgd (3/26 feasibility study)
* Recommendation: approval of plan to meet Arizona Department Environmental Quality (ADEQ) requlations for Potable water
* Timeline: 2032 full scale use
- Bartlett Dam Expansion
* Capture Verde River spillover at Bartlett Dam which occurs about 40% of time
* Both costs and water allocations split equally with 50% for Federal government and 50% for 22 stakeholders
* No additional stakeholders allowed, additional request exceed potential benefit
* Bartlett Reservoir would store enough water for one million households for a year
* Required NEPA review process already initiated by BOR
* Approved in 2024-25 CIP
* Removed in 2026-27 CIP
* Cost: estimates total 1.1 Billion in 2021 to 3.6 B
* Recommendation: continue to fund in CIP as Scottsdale needs a seat at the negotiation table and must continue to set aside funds in CIP to buy capacity
*Timeline: up to 10 years
- Purchase Additional Water Credits
* Cost: very expensive, may be unavailable
* Recommendation: continue to monitor availability of credits, recent attempt unsuccessful
* Timeline: as available
- Increase well capacity and upgrade pump station north of Chaparral to move SRP water to north Scottsdale
Keep APRW and Bartlett Dam Projects in CIP
City Manager Caton has proposed removing $377 million in projects from the five-year CIP. A whopping 76.4% is coming from water management projects. With severe reductions in our water supply on the horizon, now is the time to lean in and pursue additional future water resources. APRW has been part of our water culture for years, time to make it a reality. The Bartlett Dam expansion is a decade into the future, but we must appropriate funding now to maintain a seat at the table.
Do not trade long term stability for short term financial gains.
Respectfully,
Betty Janik & Sonnie Kirtley