WATER RESOURCES—Due to overdevelopment, Arizona rivers, such as the San Pedro, have already begun to have stretches as dry as the dammed Salt River, shown here outside Phoenix. Arizona PIRG is advocating smart water use policy to ensure Arizona has enough water to meet future demand.

Arizona’s rapidly increasing population is continuing to run up against dwindling water supplies. Arizona is at the epicenter of areas that will face a potential water supply crisis by 2025—meaning existing water supplies may not be adequate to meet demands for people, farms or the environment. To counter dwindling supplies and unchecked growth, Arizona PIRG is working to create a sustainable water policy for the state.

The U.S. Census Bureau projects Arizona’s population will double by 2030. University of Arizona scientists warned over a decade ago that over-pumping from encroaching development could dry up the San Pedro River in 10 to 15 years. Those predictions are being realized already.

At the heart of Arizona’s water scarcity issue are state laws that allow developments to be built regardless of the availability of water supplies. In most of the state, development can occur even if there is an inadequate supply of water.

While cities, including Phoenix and Tucson, limit development if there is not an adequate water supply, in many other areas of the state developers have been rapidly moving forward with large construction projects even if there is an insufficient water supply.

In meetings with agency leaders, water policy experts, prominent academics and advocates, Arizona PIRG stressed the need to reform water use policy, highlighting that development should only occur where there is enough water to support it.

“All Arizonans should have a local, clean water supply,” said Lela Prashad, Arizona PIRG’s public interest advocate. “To do nothing is to invite future shortages and put unneeded strain on our water systems and our environment. Our decision-makers must act now to ensure our water needs can stand up to Arizona’s current and future growth.”