Water Resources - The Primary Factor in Tucson's Future Growth

Abstract

The community of Tucson faces a tremendous future challenge regarding the management of its local water resources. With the advent of the new Groundwater Code and a plan to balance the basin by the year 2025, it is impossible to discuss the growth of the metropolitan area without first questioning the availability of adequate water resources. In Tucson, water will soon become the yardstick by which community expansion will be measured. The Tucson Water Utility plays a significant role in the management of the local water resource. Although there is currently complete reliance on groundwater, Tucson has received a tentative allocation of Colorado River water by means of the Central Arizona Project to supplement the groundwater supply in the future. In addition, the reuse of wastewater effluent and further conservation efforts must be planned in order to accommodate growth. The key ingredient to regional resource management, however, involves the cooperation that must exist among the major water-using entities of the area: Tucson Water, the mines, farmers, private water companies, and private well owners. This paper addresses the potential favorable and unfavorable impacts of limited water resources on future growth with respect to these concerns.