Tempe, Arizona 10:15AM Friday July 14, 2024, Water in the land of “The Valley” has been a very hot topic the last few years. As record heat temperatures continue to happen more frequently the last few summers, and monsoon seasonal rain has been at their lowest levels in the previous years, rural area residences as well as almost everyone in the state are getting more concerned. The Arizona Senate Bill 1221 will basically allow residences in rural areas to set up Basin Management Areas (BMAs) allowing those that manage to decide how and where their water will go. This sounds like a good idea for the people as they have control of how and when to use the water in these areas. A slight concern from some is that it my regulate and harm areas that do not have that control, such as small businesses and even some families. It seems as if some think there’s too many loopholes, giving too much power to few, and not to the many. This sounds like water in Arizona has become a political target.
On June 28 of this year, the Arizona Legislature held a hearing for a study committee to present its findings and concerns or benefits on 1221’s opportunity. This gave the residences of these areas and their representatives to bring to the Arizona government all pros and cons of Senate Bill 1221. One participant was able to show via graph that the current unregulated Basins in surroundings areas were doing just fine, and that the declination of use proves that over the past few years. With the recent descension of the water level of Lake Meade, a large source of water for Arizona’s entire infrastructure, it’s no wonder they are seeing some pre-panic maneuvers regarding water scarcity. When Lake Mead’s levels dropped to its lowest since 1937 in July of 2022, that must have triggered Arizona’s world and brought to notice an issue that could be damaging in the years to come. One thing is for sure, it’s not getting any cooler in Arizona, and the heat has put them all on notice as well. As in ancient history, natural resources have again risen to conflict, and into politics, but the question is, does it have to? Isn’t there enough water to go around in Arizona? If the Arizona Legislature and those for 1221 have their way, we will soon find out. Below we can simply see where most of our water goes, and it’s not to you, so now you know how much you matter when water becomes king in Arizona.
Chart information provided by MAP http://www.mapasdashboard.arizona.edu https://www.mapazdashboard.arizona.edu/article/arizonas-water-use-sector
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