A town in Arizona has found creative ways to conserve water after the supply was cut.
On New Year’s Day, Scottsdale shut off the water supply to Rio Verde Foothills (30 miles northeast of downtown).
Arizona stations allowed water haulers to refill their tanks. Rio Verde Foothills does not have its own water source so water can be drawn from a standpipe.
According to the city, water cannot be moved beyond its boundaries due to the unprecedented drought in the Colorado River.
Rio Verde Foothills residents have taken extreme measures to comply with this decision. They even store water in their swimming pools for daily activities.
“Really concerned and worried.” Dee Thomas is a Phoenix ABC affiliate KNXV resident and said she was happy to have a pool because it gave her the ability to wash clothes.
Thomas said that her community well had shut down years ago and that she couldn’t get water from it.
Arizona currently experiences drought conditions that are either moderate or worse according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, which is run by the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
These factors have had a significant effect on the Colorado River’s flow, with large swathes decreasing in flow. A 2017 study by the Colorado River Research Group found that river flow could drop by 30% by 2050 and by 55% between 2100 and 2100 because of continued greenhouse gas emissions.
Cody Reim from Rio Verde Foothills, a homeowner, said that he and his family have only two weeks of water. He also stated that if the city refuses to supply water, his water bill will triple from $400 per month to $1200.
He stated, “This problem is human.” “This isn’t something that can be reduced to the minimum to preserve water for any eventuality. ”
Water hauling companies claim that they will be charging more for the same amount due to the logistics involved in finding alternative sources.
John Hornewer (owner of Rio Verde Water) stated to KNXV, that he used to charge customers 5 Cents per gallon, but will now increase it to 10 Cents.
He stated, “Huge increase in time to deliver water customers out there, and the manpower it takes, just the wear-and-tear.” “We cannot use one municipality.” “Our loads can overpressure and degrade any system.”
Residents filed an injunction last week against the city asking for water service to be restored.
Scottsdale claimed that Rio Verde is a separate community, and Maricopa County was responsible.
“Scottsdale advised Rio Verde and warned it that it was not responsible over the years, especially given City’s requirements for drought programs,” Monday’s statement read.
“Nothing in the city’s action precludes residents in Rio Verde Foothills from purchasing water from other sources. The water haulers who have previously hauled water from Scottsdale have access to water from other jurisdictions and are still offering to haul water to serve the homes in Rio Verde,” the statement continued.
