Guest Editorial: Now We Know

By Betty Janik

Now We know

The wait is over.  The Interior Department announced Arizona will receive a CAP water cut of about 31% over the next 2 years. This was expected. We have reserves to tap into as needed.  Now we must look to the future.

Steps are available to secure our water future.  Conservation is the easiest. It’s a good time to dust off the Sustainability Plan and reinstate the voluntary water conservation measures that were rejected by Council members Graham, Dubaskas, Littlefield and Kwasman.

The City is negotiating the purchase of Harquahala Water credits, enough to supply 45% of Scottsdale families for 1 year (one and done). Delivery expected in 3-4 years.

Bartlett Dam is being studied for expansion. Cost sharing is 50/50 with the government and member cities. Estimated shared costs of $1-2 Billion with storage capacity for 1 million households. Funding removed by current Council majority in 2026/27 CIP.

The most enduring project that provides water decades into the future is Advanced Purified Recycled Water (APRW). In 2019, Scottsdale, in conjunction with the state, “established guidelines for monitoring and regulation of advanced water purification.” We were the pioneers receiving the first permit – a remarkable success.  The ability to have Scottsdale water recycled again and again. This lifeline for a continuous supply was stripped from the 2026/27 CIP by current council.  Estimated costs of $151M or $192M for 11,000 or 22,000-acre-ft/yr respectively represents projected buildout costs with a life span of decades. We are waiting final state approval for the current processes.

Meanwhile, neighboring cities are plowing ahead with APRW projects using technology we developed. Time for Scottsdale to get back on track! Time to support Councilwoman Solange Whitehead and Council Candidate Raoul Zubia, both of whom understand how critical this is to Scottsdale’s future!

Former Councilwoman Betty Janik

Sonoran Sage