Camp Verde uses 2 water conservation efforts for Verde River – KTAR News 92.3 FM

Report on Water Conservation Initiatives in Camp Verde, Arizona, and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: The Verde River and Sustainable Community Development

The town of Camp Verde, Arizona, is undertaking strategic water conservation initiatives to protect the Verde River, one of only two perennial rivers in the state. These efforts are central to the community’s identity and long-term sustainability, directly aligning with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The projects focus on innovative water management, resource efficiency, and multi-stakeholder partnerships to ensure the health of a vital water system that supports agriculture, recreation, and communities from Chino to Phoenix.

Project Analysis and Contribution to SDGs

Two primary projects have been implemented to advance the town’s water conservation objectives.

1. Rainwater Harvesting and Education

   The first initiative involved educational workshops on rainwater harvesting techniques, teaching participants to install rain tanks and build rain gardens. This project promotes the capture and reuse of rainwater for irrigation, reducing dependence on finite groundwater resources.

   • SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): This project directly supports target 6.4 by increasing water-use efficiency and ensuring sustainable withdrawals of freshwater. By capturing rainwater, the initiative reduces pressure on the groundwater that sustains the Verde River’s flow.
   • SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): The initiative enhances the community’s resilience by promoting sustainable management of local water resources and has been replicated by other municipalities, fostering sustainable urban development.
   • SDG 15 (Life on Land): By improving water infiltration and sustaining groundwater levels, this project helps protect and restore the freshwater ecosystems associated with the Verde River.

2. Water Efficiency Upgrades in Municipal Facilities

   The second project involved replacing outdated fixtures in town facilities with low-water-use models. This initiative is projected to achieve significant water savings.

   • Annual Water Savings: Approximately 600,000 gallons.
   • Ten-Year Projected Savings: 3 million gallons of groundwater.

   This effort was made possible through key collaborations, underscoring the importance of integrated approaches to sustainable development.

   • SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): The project is a clear example of promoting resource efficiency and sustainable consumption patterns within public operations.
   • SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): The success of this initiative, achieved through partnerships with SRP, Friends of the Verde River, and The Nature Conservancy, exemplifies the multi-stakeholder collaboration required to achieve the SDGs.
   • SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): The substantial reduction in water consumption directly contributes to the sustainable management of water resources.

Future Initiatives and Long-Term Vision

Camp Verde is actively seeking funding for future projects focused on sediment control and enhanced water infiltration. These initiatives aim to transform stormwater from a runoff nuisance into a valuable resource, further strengthening the region’s water security and environmental health.

• SDG 13 (Climate Action): These projects represent a critical climate adaptation strategy, building resilience to drought and extreme weather events by improving the landscape’s capacity to absorb and store rainfall.
• SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): By reducing erosion and increasing groundwater recharge, these efforts will improve water quality and augment the sustainable supply of fresh water.
• SDG 15 (Life on Land): Sediment control directly combats land degradation and protects aquatic habitats from pollution, contributing to the conservation of the river ecosystem.

Conclusion

The water conservation efforts in Camp Verde provide a model for local action contributing to global sustainability targets. By integrating education, infrastructure upgrades, and strategic partnerships, the town is not only protecting the vital Verde River but also advancing a comprehensive sustainability agenda. These initiatives demonstrate a profound commitment to achieving a sustainable future, ensuring that a healthy river continues to support the community, local agriculture, and regional ecosystems in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

  This is the most prominent SDG in the article. The entire text focuses on the town of Camp Verde’s efforts to conserve water, protect the Verde River, and manage water resources like groundwater and stormwater sustainably. The article discusses ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water, which is the core objective of SDG 6.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The article describes a community-led initiative in the town of Camp Verde to make its water usage more sustainable. The projects, such as rainwater harvesting and installing efficient fixtures in town facilities, are actions taken at the municipal level to build a more resilient and sustainable community, directly aligning with the goals of SDG 11.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  This goal is addressed through the article’s focus on the efficient use of a natural resource: water. By replacing old fixtures to reduce water consumption and capturing rainwater to lessen dependence on groundwater, the town is promoting more responsible consumption patterns and ensuring the sustainable management of its water resources, as outlined in SDG 12.

• SDG 15: Life on Land

  The article’s central motivation is to “protect the Verde River,” which is described as the “lifeblood of the community” and a critical freshwater ecosystem. SDG 15 aims to protect, restore, and promote the sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems. The conservation efforts directly contribute to preserving the health of the river and the life it supports.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Under SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • Target 6.4: By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity. The project to replace “old fixtures in town facilities with low-water-use ones” is a direct measure to increase water-use efficiency. The goal of reducing “dependence on groundwater” by reusing rainwater addresses the need for sustainable withdrawals.
   • Target 6.5: By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels. The article highlights collaborative efforts through “partnerships with SRP, Friends of the Verde River and The Nature Conservancy” to achieve water conservation goals, demonstrating an integrated approach to managing the region’s water resources.
   • Target 6.6: By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including rivers, aquifers and lakes. The primary goal of the initiatives is to “protect the Verde River.” The article emphasizes that these efforts help “sustain the groundwater that supports the Verde River,” directly linking the actions to the protection of a specific water-related ecosystem.
2. Under SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.5: By 2030, significantly reduce… direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters, including water-related disasters… The future projects aimed at sediment control and infiltration “transform stormwater from runoff nuisance into a valuable resource” and “reduce erosion.” This is a proactive measure to mitigate the negative impacts of stormwater, which can be considered a local water-related hazard.
3. Under SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources. The entire article is an example of this target in action. The town is actively working to manage its water resources sustainably through rainwater harvesting and efficiency upgrades, which are prime examples of the efficient use of a critical natural resource.
4. Under SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of… inland freshwater ecosystems and their services. The stated purpose of the projects is to protect the Verde River, one of only two perennial rivers in Arizona. The article notes, “a healthy river means a sustainable future for our community,” underscoring the commitment to the conservation and sustainable use of this vital freshwater ecosystem.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• For Target 6.4 (Water-use efficiency): The article provides specific quantitative indicators to measure the increase in water-use efficiency.
  • Indicator: Volume of water saved. The article states the fixture replacement project “is expected to save about 600,000 gallons of water annually.”
  • Indicator: Long-term reduction in groundwater withdrawal. The article mentions a longer-term goal: “Over the next decade, the project aims to save 3 million gallons of groundwater.”
• For Target 6.5 (Integrated water resources management): The existence of partnerships serves as a qualitative indicator of integrated management.
  • Indicator: Number and type of partnerships established. The article explicitly mentions “partnerships with SRP, Friends of the Verde River and The Nature Conservancy” as key to implementing the projects.
• For Target 11.b (Adoption of integrated policies): The article implies an indicator for the successful replication of sustainable practices.
  • Indicator: Number of other municipalities adopting similar conservation systems. The article notes, “At least two municipalities have since built their own rain harvesting systems using what they learned in Camp Verde.”
• For Target 15.1 (Conservation of freshwater ecosystems): The article implies that the health of the river is the ultimate indicator.
  • Indicator: Health and perennial flow of the river. While not quantified, the entire effort is to “protect the Verde River” and ensure it remains a “healthy river,” which serves as the primary qualitative indicator of success for the conservation of this ecosystem.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: ktar.com