Hotter and Drier Conditions Impact Water Resources

This summer, Arizona's weather has been consistently setting new records. The monsoon season in the Valley has remained drier than usual, and extreme heat has broken previous records. The resulting hotter and drier conditions are significantly influencing our local and regional ecosystems and, in turn, our water resources.

Water managers in our communities are constantly considering how the increasing arid conditions in the Rockies impact our Colorado River water supply delivered through the Central Arizona Project. Even if the Colorado River Basin has a wet winter, the fact remains that the Colorado River is producing less water due to the hotter and drier conditions in the Colorado River Basin, which is consistent with the trend seen across the Western region. With rising temperatures, the snow melts and evaporates much earlier in the spring, leading to less moisture flowing into streams and rivers and, ultimately, into the Colorado River. These prolonged drought conditions are altering the water system in the West, indicating that there will be a reduced delivery of Colorado River water to Arizona in the future.

This reality check does not mean there is a need to panic, but it also does not mean we can ignore the impact of our environment. Instead, it serves as a reminder of how the ten AMWUA cities have always understood that wise water management is the foundation for our communities to thrive, mainly because we live in a desert. They will continue to effectively plan, manage, and invest in their water resources and infrastructure, as they have always done. This includes demonstrating a 100-year Assured Water Supply to meet the water demands of current residents and planned development. The ten AMWUA cities continue to create new development standards to increase water efficiency, pursue Advanced Water Purification, and are involved in the Bartlett Dam expansion project to create more water from the Verde River. Each AMWUA city also plans carefully to ensure they are prepared based on its own specific water resources, infrastructure, and customer needs.

We need to acknowledge that as our weather and environment changes, we must also adapt to minimize a hotter and drier climate. One crucial way to do so is by enhancing our conservation efforts to secure a sustainable future. Conservation actions are more important than ever as we face the consequences of a prolonged drought in Arizona and a historic drought in the Colorado River Basin. While reducing individual water consumption won't completely solve our water challenges, it is still a crucial way to enable our communities to make the most efficient use of all water supplies. As we transition into hopefully a cooler fall, it's a great opportunity to improve our water efficiency outdoors and create drought-resistant landscapes that can withstand sweltering and dry conditions while using less water.

We are all in this together. By collectively committing to long-term planning and taking short-term actions, we can adapt and be better prepared for whatever challenges Mother Nature may throw our way and the resulting impacts. Through collaboration, we can ensure a sustainable water future for Arizona.

For 55 years, the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association has worked to protect our member cities' ability to provide assured, safe, and sustainable water supplies to their communities. For more water information, visit www.amwua.org .