Title
Update on Colorado River Shortage Town Hall Meetings
Description
This report provides the Transportation, Infrastructure and Planning Subcommittee an update on the Drought Management Plan and the Colorado River Shortage Town Hall meetings.
THIS ITEM IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY.
Report
Summary
Since the Stage 1 Water Alert was declared on June 1, 2022, the Phoenix Water Services Department has increased public education and outreach, along with water conservation efforts, to help educate customers and City of Phoenix residents on why voluntary water conservation is essential to ensure a sustainable future for everyone. As part of the City’s ongoing effort to keep the public informed about how reduced allocations of Colorado River water are impacting the City of Phoenix, the Water Services Department will host a series of town hall meetings that are open to the public.
Presenters at the town hall meetings discussed the Stage 1 Water Alert and Drought Management Plan. They also focused on how the City manages its diverse and robust water supplies, new infrastructure investments, and other strategies in development to prepare for a hotter, drier climate.
Attendees had the opportunity to ask questions about water conservation efforts and how Phoenix is positioning itself for a sustainable future with less Colorado River water. To date, eight Town Hall meetings have been completed with the final meeting scheduled for Nov. 16, 2022.
The meeting dates, times, and locations are listed in Attachment A.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
- The Water Conservation Ad Hoc Committee Report was reviewed and approved at the Dec. 10, 2019, City Council Policy Session.
- The Transportation, Infrastructure and Planning Subcommittee received an Update on Supply Shortages in the Colorado River on June 15, 2022.
- The Community and Cultural Investment Subcommittee received Drought Management and Water Conservation Ad Hoc Committee updates on June 1, 2022, Sept. 7, 2022, Oct. 5, 2022, and Nov. 2, 2022.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Karen Peters and the Water Services Department.