Title
Update on Drought Management Strategy and Conservation Messaging
Description
This report provides the Community and Cultural Investment Subcommittee an update on implementation of the City of Phoenix Drought Management Plan and Conservation Messaging.
THIS ITEM IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY.
Report
Summary
Since the last briefing to the Community and Cultural Investment Subcommittee on Sept. 7, 2022, staff has made additional efforts to provide information to the community regarding the impact of drought and shortage to the City, as well as actions the community can take to conserve water. Staff is planning a series of town hall style meetings throughout the City during the months of October and November. The meetings will include the City's Water Resources Management Advisor, the Conservation Coordinator and executive staff of the Water Services Department. The purpose of the town hall meetings is to provide residents with the most current information regarding the impacts of drought and shortage on the City of Phoenix, as well as a discussion of specific water conservation actions residents can take in response to anticipated shortages on the Colorado River. The meetings will also include ample opportunity for public comment, questions, and discussion. Staff is currently working on scheduling venues but expects to have a list of dates available soon.
This fall, staff will be submitting a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to the City Council for approval among Colorado River Basin Municipal and Public Water providers. The MOU currently includes signatories from Denver Water and other Colorado utilities, the Southern Nevada Water Authority, and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. The purpose of the MOU is to identify opportunities and commit to reducing water consumption and increasing reuse and recycling within the signatories' service areas, pledging to be part of the solution to Colorado River declines.
After the town hall meetings, staff will convene a Water Forum of external water experts to discuss the information gathered from the public during the town hall meetings, the City's Drought Management Plan and current conservation efforts. Staff expects the Water Forum will include experts from Arizona and regional users in the Colorado River Basin. While the date for the Forum has not been set, staff expects it will be in conjunction with the December Community and Cultural Investment Subcommittee meeting.
Finally, staff continues its efforts to craft a development policy for incorporating drought resilience, requirements and consideration of new large water users, and annexation of land for water service. Staff expects the policy will be brought to the City Council at a later date.
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, and Sept. 7, 2022.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Karen Peters and the Water Services Department.