TUCSON, Ariz. — Many states depend on the Colorado River and the water stored at Lake Mead. But after 19 years of drought that water is running low. Governor Doug Ducey pushed for a Drought-Contingency Plan at his state of the state.
“Just by itself that is a victory for Tucson because it secures our water future,” said Director of Tucson Water Tim Thomure.
Thomure says a plan to cut down on water use agreed upon by the many parties involved would be far better than federally mandated water shortages.
“If we don't get the deal done the federal government steps in and all bets are off and the uncertainty is what we have a concern with.”
The Tucson area would actually be less affected than most other areas in the southwest at first. Tucson water is storing water now but that would change in a shortage.
“That’s what would go away first. We would stop putting water into the savings account.”
Thomure says there is no longer any time to spare. They need a plan now.
“We are really to the point that there really is no time to fine tune anything, the deadline in January 31st of this year.”
