Water Infrastructure Finance Authority to consider five proposals to shore up Arizona’s water supply – Arizona Capitol Times

Report on Arizona’s Water Augmentation Strategy and Sustainable Development Goal Implications

Introduction: Addressing Water Scarcity in Alignment with SDG 6

Arizona is confronting a significant water crisis, exacerbated by reductions in its Colorado River allocations. This situation presents a direct challenge to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation) and threatens the long-term viability of communities, a core concern of SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). In response, Arizona’s Water Infrastructure Finance Authority (WIFA) is evaluating multiple proposals to augment the state’s water supply through importation and technological solutions.

Proposed Water Importation Projects Under WIFA Review

The WIFA board is set to review five distinct proposals aimed at securing new water sources for the state. These proposals represent a multi-faceted approach to water resource management, reflecting different strategies to achieve water security.

1. A groundwater importation project proposed by EPCOR, apparently in partnership with Cadiz Inc.
2. A desalination plant project proposed by EPCOR.
3. A wastewater treatment project proposed by EPCOR.
4. A surface water development project proposed by EPCOR.
5. A desalination plant project proposed by the ACCIONA-Fengate Water Augmentation Alliance.

Analysis of the EPCOR-Cadiz Groundwater Proposal

Project Overview and Potential Contribution to SDG 6

A primary proposal under consideration involves an agreement between EPCOR, a Canadian utility provider, and Cadiz Inc. The project aims to pump ancient groundwater from a remote California desert valley and transport it to Arizona.

• Objective: To provide Arizona with an exclusive right to 25,000 acre-feet of water annually for 50 years.
• Mechanism: Pumping from the Mojave Groundwater Bank, requiring significant pipeline infrastructure investment.
• Stated Goal: To deliver a stable and affordable water supply, contributing directly to the targets of SDG 6.

Environmental and Social Risks: A Conflict with SDG 15 and SDG 16

Despite its potential to augment water supplies, the EPCOR-Cadiz proposal faces substantial opposition due to its severe environmental and social risks, placing it in direct conflict with other critical Sustainable Development Goals.

• Impact on Ecosystems (SDG 15: Life on Land): Conservation groups and the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe warn that the extensive groundwater pumping will imperil desert springs, which are vital water sources for regional wildlife, including bighorn sheep, across a 1,000-square-mile area. The depletion of this non-renewable ancient aquifer threatens to cause irreversible damage to the desert ecosystem.
• Indigenous Rights and Justice (SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions): The opposition from the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe highlights concerns regarding the project’s impact on ancestral lands and resources, raising questions about equitable and just institutional processes.
• Historical Controversy: The Cadiz project has been contested for over 30 years in California by politicians, federal agencies, and environmental organizations, indicating a lack of social and political license to operate.

Alternative Proposals and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17)

Desalination and Wastewater Treatment Initiatives

Other proposals under review by WIFA focus on technology-driven solutions that could provide more sustainable, albeit costly, alternatives. These projects exemplify SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by involving international corporations and private equity to address public infrastructure needs.

• ACCIONA-Fengate Alliance: This partnership involves a Spanish infrastructure firm (Acciona) and a private equity firm (Fengate Capital) proposing a desalination plant. Acciona has global experience in developing such facilities.
• EPCOR’s Diversified Proposals: In addition to the controversial groundwater plan, EPCOR has proposed desalination and advanced wastewater treatment, aligning with modern strategies for creating resilient water systems under SDG 6.

Governance, Transparency, and Public Participation (SDG 16)

The WIFA Procurement Process

The initial review of these critical water proposals was conducted in executive session, with details withheld from the public under state procurement rules. This lack of transparency raises concerns regarding the principles of accountable and inclusive institutions central to SDG 16. However, WIFA has announced that the upcoming full board meeting will make project details public and allow for public comment.

Future Outlook and Stakeholder Engagement

The decision before the WIFA board represents a critical juncture for Arizona’s future. The final selection will determine whether the state prioritizes an immediate, but potentially unsustainable and contentious, water source over more technologically advanced but complex solutions. Ensuring a transparent process with robust public and stakeholder engagement will be essential for developing a water strategy that is not only effective but also equitable and environmentally sustainable, fully embracing the integrated nature of 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?

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • The entire article revolves around the central theme of water scarcity in Arizona due to “cuts in Colorado River supplies” and the state’s search for new water sources. This directly addresses the goal of ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water.
2. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • The article highlights significant environmental concerns related to the proposed water projects. Specifically, the Cadiz groundwater pumping project is said to “imperil springs that provide the only water within 1,000 square miles and nourish wildlife, including bighorn sheep,” connecting the issue to the protection of terrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity.
3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
   • The proposed solutions to Arizona’s water crisis involve major infrastructure projects. The article discusses proposals for “desalination plants,” “wastewater treatment” facilities, and the financing and building of a “section of pipeline to deliver the water.” This relates to building resilient infrastructure to support communities.
4. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The need for new water supplies is driven by the demands of communities and urban development. The article notes that EPCOR operates “municipal water systems in several Arizona communities, most notably in the San Tan Valley on the southeastern edge of metro Phoenix” and that the water search is necessary for “housing developers to seek out innovative ways to secure more water.” This links the issue to making cities and human settlements sustainable.
5. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The article describes a complex web of partnerships, collaborations, and conflicts involving public agencies (WIFA), private companies (EPCOR, Cadiz Inc., Acciona), international entities (EPCOR is Canadian-owned), civil society (National Parks Conservation Association), and indigenous groups (Fort Mojave Indian Tribe). The interstate controversy between Arizona and California interests also highlights the challenges and importance of partnerships for achieving sustainable development.

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

1. Under SDG 6:
   • 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 article’s focus on Arizona’s dwindling supplies and the search for new, stable sources like the Cadiz project, which plans to pump “50,000 acre feet per year for 50 years,” directly relates to ensuring sustainable withdrawals.
   • Target 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by… substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally. One of the proposals being considered by WIFA is “wastewater treatment to produce drinkable water,” which is a direct application of this target.
   • Target 6.5: By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate. The controversy surrounding the Cadiz project, which involves pumping water in California for use in Arizona and has faced opposition from “California politicians, conservation and environmental groups and federal agencies,” exemplifies the challenges of transboundary water management.
2. Under SDG 15:
   • Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services. The concern that the pumping project will “imperil springs” that are critical to a vast desert region is directly related to the conservation of freshwater ecosystems.
   • Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species. The article mentions that the springs “nourish wildlife, including bighorn sheep,” implying that the project could degrade their habitat and threaten local wildlife populations.
3. Under SDG 9:
   • Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure… to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all. The proposals for desalination plants, pipelines (including the purchase of “180 miles of pipe originally intended for the canceled Keystone XL pipeline”), and water treatment facilities are all examples of developing infrastructure to ensure a reliable water supply.
4. Under SDG 11:
   • Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services. Water is a fundamental basic service for communities and housing. The article notes that an acre-foot of water is “typically enough to supply three homes for a year,” directly linking the water supply projects to the provision of basic services for housing.
5. Under SDG 17:
   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships. The entire process described in the article, involving the state agency WIFA, private companies like EPCOR and Cadiz, and civil society groups like the National Parks Conservation Association, is an example of a multi-stakeholder partnership in action, even if it is fraught with conflict.

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

1. For SDG 6:
   • Volume of water supplied/withdrawn: The article provides specific figures that can be used as indicators, such as the plan to market “25,000 acre feet of water to Arizona annually” and pump “50,000 acre feet per year for 50 years.” This directly measures the volume of freshwater withdrawal (relevant to Target 6.4).
   • Proportion of wastewater treated: The proposal for “wastewater treatment to produce drinkable water” implies a future indicator measuring the volume or percentage of wastewater that is safely treated and reused (relevant to Target 6.3).
   • Level of transboundary cooperation: The existence of the “memorandum of understanding with EPCOR” and the ongoing “interstate controversy” with California politicians serve as qualitative indicators of the status of transboundary water cooperation (relevant to Target 6.5).
2. For SDG 15:
   • Health of freshwater ecosystems: The article implies an indicator by mentioning the threat to “springs that provide the only water within 1,000 square miles.” The continued flow and health of these springs could be monitored to measure the impact on the ecosystem (relevant to Target 15.1).
   • Status of key wildlife populations: The mention of “bighorn sheep” that rely on the springs suggests that their population numbers and health could serve as an indicator for biodiversity and habitat degradation (relevant to Target 15.5).
3. For SDG 9:
   • Investment in infrastructure: The article mentions specific financial figures, such as the “nearly $400 million in Arizona tax dollars that WIFA has to give away,” which serves as an indicator of government investment in water infrastructure (relevant to Target 9.1).
4. For SDG 11:
   • Number of households with access to basic services: The article provides a conversion metric: “enough to supply three homes for a year” per acre-foot. This allows for the direct calculation of the number of households that could be supplied with water, serving as an indicator for access to basic services (relevant to Target 11.1).
5. For SDG 17:
   • Financial resources mobilized: The article quantifies the financial commitments from various partners, including “$400 million in Arizona tax dollars,” a “$51 million loan from a small California tribe,” and a “$400 million commitment by private investors.” These figures are direct indicators of financial mobilization for a development project (relevant to Target 17.17).

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: azcapitoltimes.com