Water Sense
Arizona
Water Fact Sheet
S
Iome areas of Arizona are classified as abnormally
dry to severe, according to the Arizona Drought
Monitoring Technical Commitee drought classifica-
tion system. Water supply impacts vary geographically,
and areas with access to reservoirs are less affected. With a
naturally arid climate, a significant population increase in the
last decade, and the potential effects of climate change, water shortages
continue to be a possibility in the state's future. Despite these conditions,
however, a focus on supply management, conservation programs, and
water-efficiency education are yielding positive results.
Sources of Supply
Arizona receives its water from four main sources:
the Colorado River, in-state surface water sources,
ground water, and reclaimed wastewater. Seven
states share water from the Colorado River. A
series of federally constructed reservoirs divert
water to each state as dictated by the "Law of the
River," a legal body set up for the distribution of
Colorado River water.
The Central Arizona Project delivers 1.5 million
acre-feet of water annually to Maricopa, Pima,
and Pinal counties in central Arizona. Phoenix,
the state's largest city and its capital, receives
about half of its water from the Colorado River.
For the remainder, it relies on surface sources
such as the Salt and Verde Rivers, as well as
reclaimed wastewater.
Underground aquifers supply a significant
amount of water around the state, especially in
areas with limited access to Colorado River water
or other surface water supplies. Precipitation and
infiltration is not sufficient to naturally replenish
groundwater sources at the rate they are being
depleted.
Housing a Growing Population
As the second fastest-growing state in the nation,
Arizona recorded more than 6.5 million residents
in 2009, a number that has grown nearly 29 per-
cent in one decade. While growth helps support
the state's economy, increased population places
additional stress on Arizona's already strained
water supplies.
To help protect this precious resource, the Arizona
Department of Water Resources (ADWR) has estab-
lished programs to ensure current and future water
availability before new development can begin.
Changing Climate
Major Arizona cities such as Phoenix and Tucson
receive an average of just 8 to 12 inches of rain
annually. Even at higher elevations, precipitation
levels only reach 25 to 30 inches annually.
March 2011
(866) WTR-SENS (987-7367) • www.epa.gov/watersense • watersense@epa.gov
Recycled/Recyclable—Printed with Vegetable Oil Based Inks on 100% Process Chlorine Free Recycled Paper.
EPA-832-F-11-004
-------
The potential effects of climate change bring
increased uncertainty to the state's outlook
for future precipitation and water supplies.
Decreased precipitation and increased tempera-
tures may reduce the amount of available sur-
face water. Climate change may also further
decrease the natural replenishment of ground-
water sources.
Lake Mead and Lake Powell, the primary reser-
voirs in Arizona that draw from the Colorado
River, have levels trending downward, although
they are currently half full. If current use and
climate trends persist, there are concerns that
climate change will further reduce already
over-allocated Colorado River supplies.
Looking to the Future
State and local governments and other organi-
zations focus on the management of water
supplies and on demand management through
conservation programs. ADWR provides resi-
dents, businesses, and water providers with
tools about water-efficient products, landscap-
ing techniques, and educational outreach.
In addition to their own state and local conser-
vation efforts, the state has more than 80 part-
nerships with the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency's (EPA's) WaterSense® program. Through
the efforts of WaterSense partners, Arizona
residents learn about savings associated with
using WaterSense labeled products and incor-
porating water efficiency into everyday life to
help preserve water for future generations.
In fact, if only one out of 10 households in Arizona
installed WaterSense labeled faucets or faucet
aerators in their bathrooms, it could save more
than 100 million gallons of water annually—
enough to supply nearly 1,000 Arizona house-
holds. This small change could also save Arizona
residents $800,000 in water bills and an additional
$1.4 million in energy costs to heat their water.
For more information and water-saving tips, visit
www.epa.gov/watersense.
A Model of Partnership
WaterSense is a household name in Arizona, thanks
to extensive, statewide WaterSense partnerships. In
fact, about two thirds of Arizona's population is
served by municipalities and water companies that
are WaterSense partners.
ADWR won the WaterSense State Challenge by
helping triple the state's number of local water utili-
ty partners. As a result, Arizona was picked to host
the first national launch of EPA's Fix a Leak Week in
March 2009. The Arizona Municipal Water Users
Association was also selected to host the third
annual Fix a Leak Week in March 2011, with "We're
for Water—Join the Chase,"a four mile race that
featured a running toilet mascot.
With Arizona households losing as much as 27 bil-
lion gallons of water annually from household
leaks—more than enough to supply every house-
hold in Tucson—WaterSense partners help educate
Arizona residents about fixing leaks and using
WaterSense labeled products. Arizona WaterSense
partners are also working on a community-based
social marketing project with WaterSense to change
water-wasting outdoor behaviors in the state.
------- |