Who Owns Your Drinking Water? The Answer May Surprise You – CleanTechnica

Water Crisis in Arizona: A Threat to Sustainable Development Goals

Water is a vital resource that is often taken for granted. While we can survive without food for about 30 days, we can only last around 3 days without water. Unfortunately, the state of Arizona is facing a severe water crisis that threatens the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Maricopa County, home to Phoenix and its suburbs, has already banned new home construction that relies on well water due to a lack of groundwater. This decision highlights the urgent need to address water scarcity and ensure access to clean and sustainable water sources.

The Water Challenge in Queen Creek

Queen Creek, a suburb of Phoenix, is planning to accommodate an additional 100,000 residents in the coming years. However, the city is facing a significant challenge – there is simply not enough potable water available to meet the needs of these new homes. Queen Creek has two potential sources of water: surface water from lakes and rivers, and groundwater. However, both sources are under stress, with the Colorado River, which feeds these lakes and rivers, also facing depletion.

Maricopa County currently relies on groundwater for about half of its drinking water supply. However, groundwater takes thousands of years to accumulate, and the rapid growth in the county has depleted this resource within a few decades. The county currently uses 2.2 billion gallons of water per day, twice as much as New York City with double the population. This unsustainable water consumption pattern poses a significant threat to achieving SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation.

Water & Politics in Arizona

The water crisis in Maricopa County has been largely ignored by previous administrations. However, Governor Katie Hobbs has taken steps to address the issue. Her administration announced a ban on issuing building permits for single-family homes in Maricopa County that rely on wells for water supply. This decision is based on an analysis of expected groundwater levels over the next 100 years, which was previously ignored by former Governor Doug Ducey. The ban does not apply to commercial developments, which typically have alternative water sources. This political intervention highlights the importance of SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions in addressing environmental challenges.

Projected Water Shortfall

The state analysis projects a shortfall of 4.86 million acre-feet of water in the Phoenix area over the next 100 years. This projection is based on the fact that groundwater replenishment takes a significant amount of time. Governor Hobbs has reassured the public that Arizona is not immediately running out of water and that new construction will continue in major cities like Phoenix. However, it is crucial to note that the model only considers groundwater and does not account for surface water supplies, which are a significant source of renewable water for the state. This situation emphasizes the need to address water scarcity and ensure sustainable water management practices to achieve SDG 13: Climate Action.

Water Transfers and Challenges

The issue of water scarcity is not limited to Maricopa County. In the town of Cibola, located near the Colorado River, water rights have been bought and sold by private companies, leading to the transfer of water from agricultural land to urban areas. This practice is becoming more common as water becomes increasingly scarce in the western United States. Such transfers have significant social and economic implications, as farmers lose their livelihoods and communities face water shortages. The legal challenges surrounding these transfers highlight the need for effective governance and cooperation to achieve SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

Addressing Water Scarcity

The water crisis in Arizona is a clear indication that water will become more precious than oil in the coming years. It is essential to recognize that natural resources are finite and that unsustainable practices can have dire consequences. Rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, and overuse of water resources are already affecting farmers, promoting wildfires, and raising concerns about the state’s ability to sustain its population and industries. To address these challenges, it is crucial to prioritize sustainable water management, invest in water conservation and efficiency measures, and promote international cooperation to achieve SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation.

Conclusion

The water crisis in Arizona serves as a wake-up call for the urgent need to address water scarcity and ensure access to clean and sustainable water sources. The depletion of groundwater and the transfer of water rights highlight the challenges faced by communities in the face of increasing water scarcity. To achieve the SDGs, it is crucial to prioritize sustainable water management practices, promote cooperation between stakeholders, and invest in innovative solutions that ensure access to clean water for all.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 15: Life on Land

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

• SDG 6.4: By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity.
• SDG 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums.
• SDG 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
• SDG 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements.

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

• Groundwater levels over the next 100 years in Maricopa County (indicator for SDG 6.4)
• Shortfall of 4.86 million acre-feet of water in the Phoenix area over the next 100 years (indicator for SDG 6.4)
• Water transfers and acquisitions of water rights (indicator for SDG 11.1)
• Impact of water pumping on the ground and infrastructure (indicator for SDG 15.1)

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: cleantechnica.com

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