We are at a critical juncture in Arizona’s water history. Significant water agreements are reaching expiration and longstanding water issues can no longer be ignored. At the same time, hotter temperatures and variable precipitation are straining water supplies in our already arid state.
Arizonans know that water is a precious, life-giving resource—to cities, Tribes, businesses, farms, wildlife, habitats, and outdoor recreation. A recent poll (conducted by Morning Consult on behalf of the Walton Family Foundation) indicates that Arizonans overwhelmingly support dedicated funding for water resilience and conservation projects and are concerned about Colorado River and groundwater supplies being available into the future.
Audubon works to protect rivers, streams, groundwater, and their associated habitats—for people and birds. This means advocating for investments in water resilience and improving water management to boost our water outlook.
The Colorado River makes up roughly 36 percent of Arizona’s water supply. And while the expiration of the rules currently governing the river’s management quickly approaches, negotiations among the seven states that receive Colorado River water (Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming) grind on. Audubon believes creativity and collaboration are needed to share a smaller river.
Arizonans agree.
According to the poll, 86 percent of Arizonans agree that real solutions to Colorado River water shortages are possible through collaborative agreements between states rather than lawsuits. 91 percent are concerned about the Colorado River’s ability to continue providing water supplies to Arizona.
The Lower Basin states, (Arizona, California, and Nevada), have previously offered to reduce their water Colorado River use by 1.5 million acre-feet. This reduction will require more water conservation and increased water efficiency by all water users in Arizona.
83 percent support boosting municipal water conservation and water reuse through tactics like recycling and reuse of purified wastewater and replacing lawns with drought-tolerant landscaping. And Arizona is preparing: the Water Conservation Grant Fund has already granted $214 million to achieve water savings of up to six million acre feet in the agricultural, industrial, and municipal sectors, all across the state.
Much of the water supplies of the Phoenix metropolitan area originate in the forested White Mountains of northeastern Arizona, as well as the Mogollon Rim in north-central Arizona, encompassing the Salt and Verde River Watersheds. Eighty-four percent of Arizonans believe we should use forest management and restoration strategies to protect the watersheds that support our in-state rivers and streams. Eighty-one percent believe we should restore wetlands, meadows, and riverside habitats to improve the health of rivers and streams. Seventy-nine percent believe we should restore degraded rivers and streams by slowing river flows, reestablishing native plants, replenishing groundwater, and restoring natural water supplies.
A majority of Arizonans are worried about groundwater, with 89 percent concerned about the state’s current groundwater situation (where in a vast swath of Arizona, there are no limitations to how much groundwater can be pumped). Eighty-one percent of survey respondents said Arizona should protect at-risk groundwater basins by either authorizing new groundwater management tools for local communities with state support or by designating new Active Management Areas. Audubon Southwest continues to support solutions that advance groundwater protections in more parts of the state. We are also supportive of efforts that use data to enhance the ability of local communities to make informed decisions to help manage their groundwater supplies.
As we step into a new era of water management and conditions, we need continued investments and collaboration from decision makers to sustain our flowing rivers, prevent wells from drying up, conserve habitat for wildlife, and ensure reliable water supplies across the state for all. Arizonans understand the importance of securing our water future.
