ARIZONA’S WATER SUPPLY—Arizona PIRG’s is working to protect Arizona’s water supply with new water-use regulations.

Severe drought conditions returned to Arizona this winter, with over 100 rainless days in the Phoenix area and minimal snowfall in northern Arizona. To address this problem Arizona PIRG is working on comprehensive water protection, ensuring all Arizonans have a local, clean water supply now and in the future.

According to researchers at the University of Arizona, Arizona has been impacted by severe, sustained drought during the last decade. While steady population growth increases demand, drought further stretches out the already limited water supply.

Without protections to our water, there may not be enough for people, farms, or the environment to sustain our quality of life.

Despite recurrent drought and dwindling water supplies, current state laws enable the development of hundreds of thousands of houses, even if there is an inadequate water supply.

“Currently, our water supply is threatened by uncontrolled use that is occurring with no accountability or oversight,” said Lela Prashad, advocate for Arizona PIRG. “Urban supplies are already feeling the effects of unregulated development drawing water from its fringes and from rivers that feed the cities.”

This legislative session Arizona PIRG is supporting water use legislation, including developing a system to monitor water supplies and usage, requiring local governments to coordinate with nearby communities to manage their water supplies effectively, and protecting citizen’s right to know about their water supply.