CWAG writes a monthly Op-Ed column in the Prescott Courier. Here’s the full archive.

OP-ED COLUMNS Files

2024-08-04 Advanced Water Purification - Our Future?

Advanced Water Purification (AWP), formerly known as Direct Potable Reuse, uses treated wastewater to produce potable water that is so pure that minerals must be added so it tastes right. AWP is an engineered combination of ultra-filtration, reverse osmosis and oxidation. This degree of treatment would allow blending of wastewater with the water supply. Costs have come down, and AWP is now being used successfully in Scottsdale, Texas and California.

The Citizens Water Advocacy Group (CWAG) believes AWP should be studied and evaluated for use in the Prescott Active Management Area. AWP could remove arsenic, PFAS and other emerging chemicals from drinking water, stop further contamination of our aquifer, reduce groundwater pumping, reduce impact on Verde River flow and save the upcoming costs of PFAS removal. It might be a great solution, but water providers must first begin to cooperate, along with looking for new solutions.

To learn more, view a pdf of CWAG's column in the Daily Courier, published August 4, 2024.

2024-02-20 Population growth versus water

Growth is inevitable and there is no legal or practical way to stop it. However, growth can be managed and regulated by local zoning and city policies. Many citizens hope and believe that water resources can be used to limit growth, but that is not the case.

To learn more, view a pdf of CWAG's column in the Daily Courier, published February 20, 2024.

2024-04-07 Are domestic wells draining our aquifer?

Are domestic wells draining our aquifer? No.

In the Prescott Active Management Area (PrAMA), family homes in rural areas that are not served by a water utility must rely on a small domestic well. The Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) calls these family wells “exempt wells,” meaning that they are not required to report annual water use.

ADWR management plans do not mention and fail to protect these families. ADWR is apparently unaware that about 500 family wells on the edges of the Little Chino aquifer in the PrAMA are now failing, an early symptom of excessive groundwater pumping. Worse, one local water manager has historically blamed family wells for the groundwater overdraft, claiming the wells are unregulated. This is an attempt to deflect blame from the true culprits by scapegoating.

To learn more, view a pdf of CWAG's column in the Daily Courier, published April 7, 2024.

2023-10-11 Verde River: Stewardship versus ownership

The Verde River lives and supports life. Perennial flowing water creates a lush and rare riparian forest supporting three-quarters of the vertebrate species in Arizona, including 19 species listed by the Endangered Species Act. It contains dozens of cultural and historic sites, provides many recreational opportunities, and supplies water and economic benefits to downstream communities. But under Arizona water law, the Verde is an object to be exploited by extracting groundwater used to support economic development.

To learn more, view a pdf of CWAG's column in the Daily Courier, published October 11, 2023.

2023-06-16 Critical water issues for Prescott City Council

Water management is one of the most important issues for governments throughout Arizona. This is especially true for the upcoming primary and general elections for Prescott City Council because our area faces long-term water shortages.

To learn more, view a pdf of CWAG's column on Sedona.biz, published June 16, 2023.

2023-05-08 Lets put stormwater to work

One-third of all groundwater pumped from our aquifer each year is for seasonal landscaping. If we are going to make progress in stabilizing our rapidly declining aquifer, we must substantially reduce the use of groundwater for landscaping.

To learn more, view a pdf of CWAG's column on Sedona.biz, published May 7, 2023.

2023-03-31 Arizona Legislature fails to support a secure water future

Our water supply in Arizona is like a leaky ship attempting to sail into the future. Its captain — our state Legislature — is ignoring the leaks and, through inaction, is jeopardizing the future of our region and the entire state.

To learn more, view a pdf of CWAG's column on Sedona.biz, published March 31, 2023.

2022-12-21 Our threatened water supply; all must contribute to solutions

It has been repeated countless times that our region has a limited water supply, that we’re pumping four times more than is being replenished, and that each new house, no matter how efficient it is, uses — and loses — yet more water.

Solutions to these problems must come from everyone who plays a role in managing our water supply.

To learn more, view a pdf of CWAG's column in the Daily Courier, published December 21, 2022.

2022-10-03 Upper Verde region — it’s not too late yet

Legislative District 1 (LD1), essentially Yavapai County, has major water issues facing individual well owners and municipal water systems. They reflect a combination of our dependence on groundwater, a declining water table, drying streams and rivers, an ever-growing population and increasing numbers of homes.

In the past quarter century the effects of warming climate, a diminishing Verde River, and depletion of groundwater threaten the long-term viability of our communities. How will our legislators support the long-term water availability for our communities?

To learn more, view a pdf of CWAG's column in the Daily Courier, published October 3, 2022.

2022-09-05 A growing threat to Arizona’s rivers — climate change

Since 1912, when Arizona achieved statehood, groundwater pumping and surface water diversions have severely impacted major groundwater basins and seriously degraded five of Arizona’s major perennial rivers: Colorado, Gila, Salt, Santa Cruz, and much of the San Pedro, all sacrificed for economic development.

Perennial flow in the Verde River is diminished, and the future base flow of the upper Verde River is significantly threatened. Concerned citizens and groups have struggled for decades to protect our surviving rivers and to restore our degraded rivers, a task now more difficult due to the growing impacts of climate change.

To learn more, view a pdf of CWAG's column in the Daily Courier, published September 5, 2022.

2022-08-06 Legislators fail to protect our groundwater and rivers

Our state legislators continue to fail to protect our water in our aquifers and rivers.

Solutions do exist. We need regional cooperation to protect a shared water resource. A regional water conservation incentive program could reduce water use by rural wells and private water systems and improve existing weak conservation programs in Prescott Valley and Chino Valley. Also, a regional stormwater recovery and recharge program will reduce the overdraft.

To learn more, view a pdf of CWAG's column in the Daily Courier, published August 6, 2022.

2022-07-11 Trade a river for more houses? Ouch!

For over 20 years Prescott and Prescott Valley had envisioned piping nearly 4 billion gallons, 11,550 acre-feet per year (afy), of groundwater from the Big Chino Valley to support a vastly increasing population.

Accordingly, they had planned for a pipeline that could transport 12,000 afy roughly 40 miles from the Big Chino Valley to the Prescott area. Now Prescott has apparently put consideration of the Big Chino pipeline on hold. But, as stated in Prescott Valley’s 2035 General Plan, the town is pulling out the stops to obtain Big Chino water.

The fact remains that exportation of Big Chino groundwater would eventually devastate the year-round flow of the uppermost Verde River.

To learn more, view a pdf of CWAG's column in the Daily Courier, published July 11, 2022.

2022-06-07 Water conservation — it’s time to ask questions

Picture going to the local football field and looking up at a column of water three and a half miles high. That column contains 5 billion gallons, and is the volume of water our aquifer is losing each year, according to the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR). This loss, or overdraft, results when more water is pumped from the aquifer than is replenished by precipitation and artificial recharge.

To learn more, view a pdf of CWAG's column in the Daily Courier, published June 7, 2022.

2022-05-02 Future groundwater availability in the Prescott Active Management Area

For almost a quarter century, residents of the Prescott region have heard that the groundwater supply for the Prescott Active Management Area (PrAMA) is dwindling. The 1980 Arizona Groundwater Management Act directs the Department of Water Resources (ADWR) to manage this precious resource by requiring water providers who pump groundwater to demonstrate a 100-year supply to serve their customers. ADWR has issued four 10-year management plans, which promote efficient use and an equitable allocation of available water supplies. A fifth management plan is currently in draft form, and the Citizens Water Advocacy Group (CWAG) has filed highly critical comments with ADWR.

To learn more, view a pdf of CWAG's column in the Daily Courier, published May 2, 2022.

2022-04-10 Water reality – shock

Data gathered by the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) since 1985 describes our water reality: the Prescott Active Management Area (PrAMA) has the highest overdraft percentage in the state. Water levels in the Little Chino aquifer, the northern part of the PrAMA, have fallen over 100 feet. Over 500 wells on the edges of the aquifer are in trouble. Del Rio Springs, the historical source for the Verde River, is now less than 10% of the original flow. The base flow of the Verde River declines every year.

To learn more, view a pdf of CWAG's column in the Daily Courier, published April 9, 2022.

2022-02-17 Water without annexation

Providing water without annexation will promote growth and increase water use. Prescott’s revised water policy should not permit water without annexation.

To learn more, view a pdf of CWAG's column in the Daily Courier, published February 17, 2022.

2022-01-27 Water quality in the Prescott area

We can assume that water quality is important to everyone in this area, state and literally, any area in the world. There are short- and long-term health-related issues if the wrong substances are ingested. While this column will primarily focus on water supplied by the city of Prescott, well owners should periodically have their well water checked for the most harmful substances, including lead, PFAs (polyfluoroalkyl, the scariest of all the forever-chemical carcinogenic compounds) and arsenic.

To learn more, view a pdf of CWAG's column in the Daily Courier, published January 27, 2022.

2021-12-22 2022 could determine our water future

Three water issues that could determine our water future are coming to a head for Prescott and Prescott Valley in 2022. The Prescott City Council will vote to revise a controversial 2019 policy that included providing water outside city limits without annexation. The Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) will rule on Prescott’s Designation of Assured Water Supply for the next 10 - 20 years. And, Prescott and Prescott Valley will receive a long-awaited groundwater flow model of the Big Chino aquifer that will yield much needed information about the ramifications of a Big Chino pipeline.

To learn more, view a pdf of CWAG's column in the Daily Courier, published December 22, 2021.

2021-09-30 A secure water future? — How we are being misled

In the Quad-Cities region, many business and government leaders are misleading the public into believing we have a secure water future. The reality is that, under current policies, a sustainable water future is nowhere in sight. Our regional elected officials must change current water management policies that are the main cause of this situation.

To learn more, view a pdf of CWAG's column in the Daily Courier, published September 30, 2021.

2021-09-11 Will we have enough water for our citizens in the future?

Central Yavapai County has both a vigorously expanding population, currently estimated at about 111,000, and a decreasing water supply in the Prescott Active Management Area (PrAMA). Some wells are failing; others are completely dry. Evidence is growing ever clearer that climate change is here. Yet we are building and planning dwellings by the thousands. Will we have an ample supply of water for our citizens in the future?

To learn more, view a pdf of CWAG's column in the Daily Courier, published September 11, 2021.

2021-06-16 Critical water issues deserve voter attention

We face a critical election for City of Prescott mayor and council. Prescott’s water policy has a fundamental influence on the future character of our area. Do we want tens of thousands of new homes? Do we have enough water?

Citizens have the opportunity to vote for candidates who share their views about our water future. Winning candidates will be instrumental in determining future water policies and the future character of Prescott.

To learn more, view a pdf of CWAG's column in the Daily Courier, published June 16, 2021.

2021-05-05 Regional conservation plan will show us how to save more water

In the Quad Cities region we are pumping over 4 billion gallons a year more than is being returned to our water supply. Regional cooperation can produce a Regional Conservation Plan that will bring us back to safe yield, where the replenishment of our water supply equals the demands we place on it.

To learn more, view a pdf of CWAG's column in the Daily Courier, published May 5, 2021.

2021-04-06 Do more houses hurt the Verde River

Do more houses hurt the Verde River? Yes. Every new home consumes groundwater, diminishing the life-sustaining perennial flow in the Verde River – Arizona’s only surviving living river.

Despite the Verde’s importance, we are drying it up. The 2018 annual flow volume was 61% of the estimated flow in 1940. Some of that decline reflects persistent drought, but groundwater pumping takes a huge toll. Every gallon of groundwater pumped reduces river flow.

To learn more, view a pdf of CWAG's column in the Daily Courier, published April 6, 2021.

2021-03-03 Upper Verde River threatened by pumping pipeline

Groundwater pumping and the proposed importation of Big Chino groundwater threaten our Prescott-region groundwater supply and the perennial flow of the upper Verde River.

Essentially our entire water supply is pumped from the relatively small groundwater basin underlying our communities. Groundwater demand substantially exceeds the resupply; and rapid development of new housing intensifies the demand.

To learn more, view a pdf of CWAG's column in the Daily Courier, published March 3, 2021.

2021-02-09 Prescott Council should respect include citizens

In recent months Prescott officials have twice proposed and twice postponed expanding the city’s existing overly broad water policy to authorize, with few restrictions, providing water and sewer services to up to 25,000 acres outside the city limits without annexation.

The existing policy requires an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between Prescott and another governmental entity, such as a Yavapai County water improvement district. The proposed policy eliminates the IGA provision, making a bad policy even worse.

To learn more, view a pdf of CWAG's column in the Daily Courier, published February 9, 2021.

2021-01-07 A better way to ask about our water supply

The Citiz􏰉ens Water Advocacy Group (CWAG) is often asked how long our water supply will last. Unfortunately, that'􏰊s a question scientists cannot answer. Yet many of our government officials provide unsupported, rosy predictions that take attention away from the real issue, which is the threat to the sustainability of our future water supply.

To learn more, view a pdf of CWAG's column in the Daily Courier, published January 7, 2021.

2020-11-10 Officials must protect the upper Verde River

The Verde River is 2.5 million years old. We are now poised to destroy it in a century by changing the climate and by pumping the groundwater that feeds it. The Verde is extraordinarily valuable — losing it would be a tragedy for the Southwest, devastating wildlife and degrading our quality of life.

To learn more, view a pdf of CWAG's column in the Daily Courier, published November 10, 2020.

2020-10-07 Our water is a diminishing resource — we must adapt

Groundwater in the Prescott Active Management Area (PrAMA), serving four municipalities and thousands of private wells, is seriously overcommitted. The aquifer underlying the quad-city area is our only source of potable water. We are extracting far more water from it than either we or nature replace. An immediate consequence is decline of the water table. Some wells have already failed, and more will follow.

To learn more, view a pdf of CWAG's column in the Daily Courier, published October 7, 2020.

2020-09-02 Low flow on the Verde River needs citizen action

All our regional groundwater aquifers are connected to the upper Verde River. Basic principles of hydrologic science tell us that groundwater pumping in the Big and Little Chino aquifers will eventually reduce the flow from Verde Springs by the amount pumped.

This is happening now — unmitigated groundwater pumping has already reduced the flow of the upper Verde River.

To learn more, view a pdf of CWAG's column in the Daily Courier, published September 2, 2020.

2010-03-01 We must take care with effluent

In the Southwest, where users are depleting groundwater supplies, it is a given that municipalities should recharge treated wastewater to the aquifer to augment the water supply. But is it really safe to do so?

To learn more, view a pdf of CWAG's column in the Daily Courier, published March 1, 2010.

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