look for
Saving Water in
Arizona
Like other southwestern states, Arizona has withstood many years of water
shortages. With a naturally arid climate and a significant population increase in
the last decade, Arizona will continue to be challenged by water supply issues.
The state is focused on supply management, conservation programs, and water
efficiency education to meet the challenge.
SOURCES OF WATER
•	The Colorado River and other surface water
sources provide 54 percent of Arizona's total water
supply. Seven states share water from the
Colorado River, including Arizona, Nevada,
California, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and New
Mexico. Arizona is allocated one of the largest
shares, or 19 percent, of the total Colorado River
apportionments. The remaining water supply comes
from ground water, with a small portion from
reclaimed wastewater.
•	Northern Arizona draws Colorado River water from
Lake Mead, a reservoir created by the completion
of the Hoover Dam in 1935, and Lake Powell, a
reservoir created by the Glen Canyon Dam in 1966.
Lake Mead is partially located in Nevada, while
Lake Powell is partially located in Utah.
•	Central Arizona, which contains 80 percent of the
state's population and five active management
areas where groundwater use is regulated due to
limited supply, draws Colorado River water through
the Central Arizona Project (CAP)—a 336-mile
water diversion system consisting of canals,
pumping stations, and conduits.
•	Reclaimed water provides about 3 percent of the
state's water supply, and its use is growing for
purposes such as irrigation and industrial cooling.
SUPPLY ISSUES
•	Arizona, one of the driest states with average
annual precipitation of about 13 inches, has
experienced increasing temperatures and
decreasing precipitation in recent years, which are
projected to continue in the future.
•	Winter precipitation plays an important role in
recharging aquifers and sustaining streamflow As
of 2015, winters have been dry in the Verde and
Drought conditions have caused water levels in Lake Mead to
decline, as the photographs above highlight the difference
between 2000 and 2015. (Source: National Aeronautics and
Space Administration Earth Observatory/U.S. Geological Survey)
Salt River watersheds for five consecutive years
and in the Colorado River Basin for four
consecutive years.
•	In 2015, the Colorado River storage system was at
47 percent of total system capacity. Lake Mead,
part of the Colorado River's storage system, has
dropped by 130 feet, or to about 40 percent of its
capacity. As water levels continue to drop, so does
the amount of Colorado River water available to
Nevada and Arizona.
•	Reservoir water levels in the Salt and Verde River
watersheds have also dropped. As of 2015, water
levels were 43 percent below normal due to
increased use of ground water to meet water
demands.
•	Runoff from the Colorado River, which is important
for direct supply and groundwater recharge, is
projected to drop 20 to 40 percent by 2050.
•	With increased groundwater demand and pervasive
drought conditions, groundwater sources have not
been able to replenish at the rate they are being
depleted.
PHONE (866) WTR-SENS (987-7367) WEBSlTEwww.epa.gov/watersense EMAlLwatersense@epa.gov
A rp« EPA-832-F-16-004
EITrV May 201 e

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Saving Water in Arizona
WATER USE CONCERNS
•	As the fifth fastest-growing state in the nation,
Arizona recorded more than 6.7 million residents in
2014, a number that has grown nearly 5.3 percent in
the last four years.
•	Water shortages impact Arizona's multi-billion-dollar
tourism industry—it is estimated that for every one
percent drop in reservoir level, Lake Powell visits
drop by five percent.
•	The U.S. Department of Agriculture declared 15
counties as disaster counties in Arizona in 2015 due
to drought conditions, making the county's
agricultural producers eligible for certain emergency
aid. Arizona's agricultural industry has already
suffered reduced yields due to drought.
WHAT ARE ARIZONANS DOING TO SAVE WATER?
Many municipalities, manufacturers, and utilities in
Arizona are partners with WaterSense®, the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency program that offers
people a simple way to identify products and homes that
use less water and perform well. Some notable water
conservation efforts by partners include the following:
•	The Arizona Department of Water Resources
provides residents, businesses, and water providers
with tools about water-efficient products,
landscaping techniques, and educational outreach.
The agency has also encouraged state utilities to
join the partnership, leading to 16 Arizona utility
partnerships with WaterSense.
•	As a long-time supporter of WaterSense's Fix a
Leak Week campaign, the Arizona Municipal Water
Abnormally Dry
Moderate Drought
Severe Drought
Extreme Drought
Exceptional Drought
In September 2015, more than 70 percent of Arizona was
experiencing moderate to severe drought. (Source: U.S.
Drought Monitor)
Users Association (AMWUA) hosted a four-mile
race for several years in support of the campaign.
AMWUA also developed a guide to educate
residents about fixing leaks, using WaterSense
labeled products, and increasing outdoor water use
efficiency.
• The Salt River Project (SRP) hosts a Water
Conservation Expo where it distributes WaterSense
labeled showerheads. SRP partners with Ewing
Irrigation, Inc., to offer a rebate on WaterSense
labeled irrigation controllers. SRP also promotes
water efficiency through presentations, signage, and
social media posts.
For more information, visit www.azwater.gov/azdwr/,
www.amwua.org, and www.cap-az.com/.
References available by request. Contact watersensetcbepa.aov for additional information.

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