The United States Bureau of Reclamation declared a Stage One Water Shortage on the Colorado River as part of the release of their August 24-month study. The City of Mesa has anticipated this declaration based on current hydrology and months of speculation. Stage One shortage on the river does not affect supply to Mesa water customers.
Drought and shortage are not short-term problems, but a reality of living in the desert. Long-term planning has always been a priority in Mesa.
"Mesa has a diverse water portfolio that not only includes the Colorado River, but also the Salt and Verde Rivers, and groundwater," said Jake West, Mesa Water Resources Director. "Mesa also has creative strategies for acquiring additional water supplies. For example, Mesa provides treated wastewater (effluent) to farms in exchange for vital surface water."
Each valley city has their own water outlook, and Mesa has long prepared for shortage by investing in our infrastructure, water supplies, underground water storage and demand management programs.
Water allocations to Colorado River Basin states were made decades ago based on times of higher precipitation and lower demands. Drought conditions and rapid growth have put unprecedented demands on water supplies.
In anticipation of shortages and as one of many sustainable water management strategies, about two years ago the Mesa City Council approved the Large Customer Sustainable Water Allowance ordinance. This policy creates a water "budget" for large water users who project their demand to be a half-million gallons or more of water per day. The ordinance requires these large users to stay within their water budgets and in some cases, they must bring their own water to the table - for example, in the form of long-term storage credits. These credits are used over time to meet the large water demands of their business operations.
"We take water conservation and the shortage on the Colorado River very seriously--it is our responsibility to be good stewards of these resources," said Mayor John Giles. "The Large Customer Sustainable Water Allowance ordinance is one of many ways Mesa is actively protecting our water supplies from being compromised, while balancing economic development opportunity for our city."
The City of Mesa will continue to plan for further shortage and carefully manage water supplies. To learn more about Mesa's water stewardship strategy, visit www.mesaaz.gov/water. For tools and tips to save water, visit www.mesaaz.gov/conservation
Contact: Weston Brown
(480) 644-5713