Drought Preparedness and
Response Plan FAQs
- 1. What is a "Drought Preparedness and Response Plan"?
- A new law passed in 2005 required all Arizona water systems to develop a drought preparedness and response plan and file it with the Arizona Department of Water Resources ("ADWR") by January 1, 2007. Tucson Water developed a plan that addresses the potential impacts of drought on the water resources our community depends upon, and outlines the actions we would take in response to increasing impacts associated with sustained drought. Staff submitted the plan to ADWR in December 2006. Mayor and Council approved the Plan on November 28, 2006 and an implementation ordinance (No. 10380) was approved on March 20, 2007.
- 2. What does "drought" mean?
- To ensure that our Drought Preparedness and Response Plan meets the requirements of the State of Arizona, Tucson Water uses the same definition of drought that is used in the State's own Plan: "a sustained, natural reduction in precipitation that results in negative impacts to the environment and human activities."
- 3. The City already has an "Emergency Water Conservation Ordinance" - doesn't it address drought?
- The 1995 Emergency Water Conservation Ordinance (No. 8461) broadly outlines a response plan for an unforseen event. Unlike an emergency situation, it is important to recognize that drought impacts to water supplies typically do not occur without warning, particularly for a water system such as Tucson's. With proper planning, Tucson Water may avoid ever experiencing a water crisis as a result of drought.
-
- Tucson Water's Drought Preparedness and Response Plan refines and expands upon the 1995 ordinance. Drought indicators and response measures were developed to fit the unique characteristics of the Utility's water resources, water system attributes, and customer-use patterns so that the Utility can appropriately respond to potential drought impacts on its water supplies. For example, our use of Colorado River water ("CAP" water) as part of our drinking water supply is unique in the Tucson region. The use of both groundwater and CAP water supplies, particularly the operation of the Clearwater recharge and recovery system, provides a great deal of reliability for the Tucson Water supply system during times of local drought.
- 4. What does Tucson Water's Drought Preparedness and Response Plan include?
- Tucson Water's Plan includes four drought response stages:
- Stage 1 — Will be declared based on regional indicators such as a severe and sustained drought on the Colorado River and/or a State declaration of drought in the Tucson region.
- Stage 2 — Will be declared if an initial shortage (i.e., a shortage that does not affect municipal uses) is declared on the Colorado River, or if local system factors require additional response actions.
- Stage 3 — Will be declared based on limited reductions in CAP deliveries to the City or if local system factors require additional response actions.
- Stage 4 — Will be declared based on additional reductions in CAP deliveries to the City or if local system factors require additional response actions.
- 5. How will each stage affect me?
- As you might expect, the more a drought affects our ability to deliver water, the more stringent the responses must become. All response measures implemented during a lower response stage will remain in effect in later stages, along with additional measures. Tucson Water's Drought Plan includes some of the following recommended actions.
- Stage 1
- Public education on drought issues;
- Modify water system operations;
- City departments identify water-saving and water efficiency measures for all City facilities;
- Possible additional measures may include voluntary self-audit programs for commercial, multi-family and industrial users.
- Stage 2
- Additional public education and additional system or operational actions;
- Prohibit public fountains and other non-essential uses within City operations;
- Implement water savings/efficiencies identified in Stage 1 for all City uses of potable water;
- All potable water users requested to make additional voluntary reductions;
- Mandatory self-audits required for commercial, multi-family, and industrial users;
- Irrigation restrictions required for commercial, multi-family, and industrial customers.
- Stage 3
- Mandatory water reductions by all potable water users; and
- Plumbing retrofit on resale for residential, commercial, multi-family, and industrial users.
- Stage 4
- Implement the City's Emergency Water Conservation Ordinance;
- Non-essential outdoor water use restricted or prohibited;
- Restaurants provide water only upon request;
- Outdoor misting systems in public areas prohibited;
- No filling of swimming pools, fountains, spas or other exterior water features; and
- Car Washes only at facilities which recycle water, except for emergency vehicles;
- Additional response actions may be developed if warranted.
- 6. What are Tucson's back-up or emergencies water supplies?
- Groundwater can serve as a short-term backup supply, but the Plan acknowledges that long-term reliance on groundwater is not sustainable. To minimize groundwater overuse, Tucson Water may require additional mandatory demand reductions and/or develop alternative renewable water supplies.
- 7. Will the Plan ever be changed?
- The Plan will be updated regularly to reflect changing conditions and as new information is developed.
- 8. Who can I contact for more information?
- Contact the Tucson Water Conservation Office at 791-4331 for additional information.
