TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — Tucson Water's 'One Water 2100' master plan maps out the city's water resource management and infrastructure needs over the next 80 years.
The planning process used public engagement through town hall meetings in 2022 to pinpoint residents' top two areas of concern: Water conservation and water supply.
Tucson Water says it wants to continue engaging with the public on its long-term water management, and this time is seeking public input through a survey which closes Tuesday, Jan. 31.
Water specialists have been warning for years that we need to be careful not to outgrow our water supplies, but average people have become more aware of drought and dwindling supplies from the Colorado River.
The organization Sustainable Tucson has been compiling background information to help people understand the options to help Tucson meet its needs well into the future.
"Because it is a limited supply, although we actually have a lot of resources here," said Dan Stormont of Sustainable Tucson.
"We're very lucky even though we're in the desert. The Sonoran Desert is actually very wet compared to a lot of deserts and so, you know, for example, with the rain tanks, we get rain falling out of the sky, we have enough rain to actually meet the needs of Tucson every year. It's just how we use that rain and of course, a lot of it just ends up running down the street and causing flooding issues and everything else," Stormont said.
Tucson Water manages use of groundwater, recycled water, stormwater and the local supply of Colorado River water. The survey will ask responders to give feedback on management practices for each of these, and additional related subjects.
Survey-takers will answer questions about:
- Colorado River water use
- Treatment technologies
- Groundwater use and management
- Water recycling
- Rainwater harvesting
- Water conservation incentive programs
- Smart meters
- Community outreach
- Education
The survey is available online through the Tucson Water website in both English and Spanish. Staff is asking people not only to take the survey, but to share it and encourage other residents to do the same.
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Anne Simmons is the digital executive producer for KGUN 9. Anne got her start in television while still a student at the University of Arizona. Before joining KGUN, she managed multiple public access television stations in the Bay Area and has worked as a video producer in the non-profit sector. Share your story ideas and important issues with Anne by emailing anne.simmons@kgun9.com or by connecting on Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn.
