Title
Update on Supply Shortages in the Colorado River
Description
This report provides the Transportation, Infrastructure and Planning Subcommittee information related to implementation of the City of Phoenix Drought Management Plan and Water Use Reduction Guidelines (Drought Management Plan) in response to anticipated further shortages on the Colorado River.
THIS ITEM IS INFORMATION ONLY.
Report
Summary
Water supply conditions on the Colorado River continue to decline. The two major reservoirs, Lake Mead and Lake Powell, have declined to storage levels not seen since they were constructed. Recently, the United States Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) announced it will withhold 500,000 acre-feet of water in Lake Powell in order to protect water delivery capability and hydropower generation. This action will have additional adverse impacts on Lake Mead, the reservoir supplying the Central Arizona Project. The City uses Colorado River water to supply approximately 40 percent of annual customer demand.
The federal government declared the first-ever Tier 1 Colorado River shortage in 2022. BOR anticipates a Tier 2 Colorado River shortage in 2023 and a strong possibility of a Tier 3 Colorado River shortage in 2024. The shortage has varying degrees of impact on the City’s available Colorado River supplies, which makes it an appropriate time to implement the City’s Drought Management Plan with the declaration of a Stage 1 Water Alert.
The Water Services Director is authorized by the Phoenix City Code to declare a Stage 1 Water Alert, beginning an intensive public education and information program to assist all customers in understanding the need for voluntary water conservation. As of June 1, 2022, the Stage 1 Water Alert is in place.
Public outreach efforts will focus on these three areas to effectively communicate water awareness:
1) Raise awareness to shortage conditions on the Colorado River and the City’s response;
2) Educate customers on sustainable water use; and
3) Activate customers to use water responsibly.
While asking residents and businesses to do their part, the City is increasing its own water efficiency. Toilet and fixture retrofits throughout Phoenix City Hall will provide significant reductions in water use. The City is developing further plans to retrofit fixtures in other City buildings. The City’s Water Efficiency Task Force, an interdepartmental working group, continues to examine additional methods to increase efficiency and conservation in City operations.
The Phoenix Water Services Department recently expanded its Water Conservation team, and it continues to implement the conservation programs adopted by the Council. Staff will continue those efforts and prepare a communications plan to increase public awareness of shortage conditions and actions customers can take to use water more efficiently.
The City has worked hard to develop a sustainable water supply and has been designated by the State as having a 100-year assured water supply. In addition, Phoenix recycles nearly all its wastewater, delivering it for use in agriculture, energy production, urban irrigation, aquifer recharge, and riparian wetland maintenance.
Phoenix will continue to plan, invest, and conserve to ensure a sustainable future while providing safe, clean, and reliable water to its customers without interruption. Additionally, the City will continue to take proactive actions to prepare for even deeper shortages on the Colorado River as we strive to be the most sustainable desert city in the world.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
The Community and Cultural Investment Subcommittee received a presentation on this item on June 1, 2022.
This item appeared in the General Information Packet on May 26, 2022.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Karen Peters and the Water Services Department.