The Alternatives and Impacts Associated with a Future Water Source Transition for Tucson Water

Abstract

Anticipating a surge in the future growth of the Tucson urban area accompanied by a need for the preservation of the local groundwater resource, Tucson Water is planning for a major transition in its source of supply during the next fifty years. The completion of the Central Arizona Project to the Tucson area represents the primary ingredient to the formulation of a future water supply plan for the community. Tucson, which presently relies totally upon groundwater for its potable water supply, is diligently preparing to accept its first surface water source. The task of planning for this event is extremely complex and is further hampered by the fact that many critical factors relating to the Tucson Division of the Central Arizona Project are yet undefined. Tucson Water engineers utilize contemporary computerized hydraulic models as tools to define an array of technical solutions to the problem of accomplishing a major conversion from a multi-point system source to a predominantly single source of supply. Elements such as construction, operation, and maintenance costs associated with water treatment and delivery systems are addressed.