AR! ZONA WATER RESOURCE Volume 3, No. 3 June/July 1994 Flow of San Pedro Threatened

classic controversy is being played out in the Sierra Vista area as officials grapple with a trio of issues growth, water and the preservation of the San Pedro River. of the 60,000 people living in the upper San Pedro basin, 50,000 reside in Sierra Vista, with the rest located in various rural communities. The city's annual growth rate since 1990 has averaged 3.9 percent. Expansion of the Fort Huachuca Army Base sparks much of Sierra Vista's growth. In a recent strategy, city and base officials are pushing for the transfer of the Defense Language Institute from Monterey, California to Fort Wl'en it comes to summertime water play, the owners ofArizona's 150,000 boats and Huachuca. 190,000 backyard pools have nothing on these children shooting the rapids at Slide The troubling specter of water Rock, Sedona.(Photo: Peter Essick; Water Facts: A rizona Water map) scarcity complicates matters however. Sierra Vista's growth has depended upon pumping groundwater. These Arizona Water Bank Idea Draws Interest reserves are being depleted by about 11,000 acre-feet per year and, in the westernstates do not appear willing to "go with the flow" and let the federal process, the flow of the San Pedro government control leasing of Colorado River water. Instead, the lower basin River is threatened. states of Arizona, California and are busy devising their own strategies continued on page 2 to use unused portions of Colorado River allotments. Present arrangements allocate 2.8 million acre-feet of Colorado River water to Arizona, 4.4 million acre-feet to California, and 300,000 acre-feet to Nevada. Arizona is using at most 1.6 million acre-feet of its annual allocation, while C O N T E N T S California uses its full share plus Arizona's unused portion. Rapidly growing Nevada expects to tap its full allocation within a decade. Water Vapors 3 California wants to continue tapping Arizona's allocation, and Nevada seeks to augment its share of the Colorado River, probably at Arizona's expense. News Briefs 4-5 Arizona seeks to control its allocation to ensure its full future use when needed. Despite the divergent goals, the states prefer to resolve the situation among Legislation & Law .. 6 themselves rather than accept a plan proposed by the Bureau of Reclamation. Special Projects 7 The federal plan calls for interstate leasing of unused water allotments to be authorized by the secretary of interior. The Bureau has circulated a draft of Publications 8 its plan to the Colorado River Compact states for comment. Reaction to the Transitions 9 plan has been less than favorable, mainly because the federal government would gain control of how states manage and eventually sell their allotments of Announcements .. 10 Colorado River water. continued on page 2 Calendar il

WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH CENTER COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA 2 Arizona Water Resource May 1994

Water Bank, continuedfrom page 1 San Pedro, continued from page 1 Arizona Governor Fife Symington deemed the federal A 1990 report by University of Arizona hydrologists plan sufficiently onerous to threaten to sue over the pro- predicted that even without further growth, if present posed new regulations. The governor claims the proposed groundwater pumping rates continue, the aquifer would be regulations conflict with the 1922 Colorado River Compact sufficiently depleted within two decades to end surface flow and threaten Arizona's allocation. on the San Pedro River and destroy its riparian zone. The In response to the Bureau of Reclamation proposal, report has been a thorn in the side of those pushing for Nevada and Arizona each have devised their own plans for further growth. managing Colorado River allotments. Nevada has proposed Officials are seeking additional water resources. One establishing a three-state commission of the lower-basin proposed remedy is to extend the states. According to the plan Nevada, Arizona and Califor- canal from Tucson to Sierra Vista. A U.S. Bureau of Recla- nia would have equal voice in determining strategies for mation report suggests three possible routes, with cost esti- gaining additional water to support economic development. mates varying from $71.4 million to $95 million and annual Arizona is critical of Nevada's plan. Equal voice among pumping costs from $883,000 to $971,000 per year depending three states means Arizona would lose individual control upon selected route. over the management and sale of its unused Colorado River Sierra Vista's plan is to recharge the aquifer with 20,000 water. Arizona countered by devising its own plan to safe- acre-feet of CAP water, thus reducing the cone of depression guard its water rights even while selling unused portions - a beneath the city and Army post. "water bank" proposal to advance its interests; i.e., assure The city's less extravagant water resource options include future control of its Colorado River allotment while allow- developing effective water conservation policies and improv- ing current sales of unused portions to other states. ing wastewater treatment. Also suggested is the practice of The proposal would establish a water bank controlled by watershed management to retain natural runoff and enhance the state. The bank would acquire unused water allocations recharge of the aquifer. for sale to other states or for recharge. The Arizona Depart- Some critics suggest the problem is not so much getting ment of Water Resources (ADWR) would operate the water new water as controlling growth. The situation comes down bank, with legislative action needed to authorize the bank to to deciding whether the San Pedro River is more important acquire water from those with rights to it. Unused water than unrestricted growth. They point out that the flow of allotments that the bank acquires would be put into a special the San Pedro River is protected by law. water category that statute allows to be marketed. Money This view motivated the Southwest Center for Biological to acquire the water could come from a legislative appropria- Diversity to file suit in U.S. District Court claiming the tion and be repaid by the water bank or from revenue bonds Army is expanding its Fort Huachuca facilities without with water contracts for security. considering possible damage to the San Pedro River. The The plan would require legislation for the state to de- suit alleges the Army is violating the National Environmen- cline to use its entire water allotment. Also legislation tal Protection Act by failing to complete an environmental would be needed to create a new category of water to be impact statement. available to the bank and to grant ADWR's director authori- Secretary of Interior added poignancy to ty to deal directly with the secretary of the interior on river the situation with a not-so-veiled threat that Fort Huachuca matters and Arizona's contract. could be closed down if longstanding groundwater disputes Arizona's plan was presented to all seven members of are not resolved. Babbitt offered the services of a federal the Colorado River Compact in July. A technical subcom- mediator. To the regret of some residents he side-stepped mittee was appointed to review the water bank concept and the CAP request. to report its results at a meeting in Phoenix October 11. California and Nevada's initial responses to the Arizona proposal were cautious. Arizona's ability to sell unused portions of its allocation does not appeal to California since "The well was dry beside the door, it has had free use of Arizona's unused water. The water And so we went with pail and can banking plan might provide Nevada the opportunity to Across the fields behind the house acquire additional water resources, but without the control it would have under its proposed tn-state commission plan. To seek the brook if still it ran;" Meanwhile, since the states appear to be digging in to from Going for Water by Robert Frost fashion their own options, the Interior Department is hold- ing off advancing its proposed water marketing regulations. New England farmers long have understood the Ten tribes with Colorado River water rights also are connection between groundwater and surface water. meeting to develop a position on water banking. The tribes Arizona continues to struggle with this hydrologic are expected to review a water banking proposal that recog- concept. See "Goodfarb defines subflow," page 6. nizes the tribes as equal and separate entities from the states. June/July 1994 Arizona Water Resource 3

conserving features.I lived in Austra- bills.., become a fire danger... I at- lia about five years ago and was im- tempted to strangle my cat... urinated pressed by a law that all new toilets all over.., adding the last bit of stress... have to be dual-flush: one button punishing us and rewarding those who delivers a partial flush, the other is for waste... now the reverse will happen... Water Vapors full flush.I don't know if the new contrary to all natural laws... injuring limited flush toilets used here make my physical health.., you don't under- Jursummer issue is tardy, but once that system redundant, but it seems to stand... taxation without representa- again, we have a scapegoat - a com- me that an option to use a lesser flush tion. puter virus (a Taiwanese mutant of a has advantages. It puzzles me that dual Sincerely, Bulgarian strain) evaded our software flush toilets are not (to my knowledge) Mr. Smith (actual name) defenses, mangled files and rendered six available here. Do you have any infor- The immediate reaction was, "Gee, computers temporarily unusable. mation on this?" I wonder if there's a death threat bur- Well, Dave, some of us old-timers ied in here somewhere?" Upon calmer Mister Media Mania remember when dual-flush toilets were reflection, we concluded it was time Another distraction was the over- sold in Arizona. Rather than dual for a review of recent trends and whelming media response to last issue's buttons, they operated by pressing the changes in municipal water pricing, piece on the water use and cooling lever up to deliver a low-volume flush which is found on page 5. efficiency of one low-pressure outdoor or pressing it down for a standard misting system. To date, the story has flush. This particular model was sold Wrong Number - Try been covered by three of Arizona's in Arizona a few years ago. It appears the Net four largest papers, picked up by AP's to have disappeared, partly due to the Until recently, one could phone the wire service, featured on five TV sta- need to re-train people in how to use Water Center using either our pub- tions, and carried on several radio them and partly due to the growing lished 792-9591 number or our old stations. But remember, you read it acceptance of ultra-low flow 1.6 gallon University of Arizona number (621- here first. toilets. 7607). Due to changes in phone rates, More importantly, it appears that One of us who serves on a citizens' we recently dropped the 621- lines and the Water Center may in fact receive group that recommends water rates added capacity to the 792-9591 lines. funding to systematically test misting recently received a letter from someone Our fax line (792-8518) is unchanged. systems. We hope to be able to look who apparently failed to grasp the Please make a note of this. at water use and cooling efficiency of elegant simplicity and manifest fairness AWR readers, being on the cutting both low-pressure residential and high- of Tucson Water's new rate structure. edge of societal change, will be pleased pressure commercial systems as a func- While most of the hand-written dia- to know they now can communicate tion of temperature, humidity and tribe was indecipherable, certain legible with us via the Internet. Send us your wind velocity. phrases stood Out: thoughts using our Email address, To the Members of the Citizen's [email protected].(All Water We Got Letters! Water Committee, Center addresses and phone numbers Thomas Sands of SRP's Operation- Thank you so much for raising my are contained in the credits box at the al Support Division writes requesting water rates... no longer pay my water bottom of this page.) clarification of a statement in an article in our April issue entitled «CAP NO Fishing Policy Catches Flack." Mr. Arizona Water Resour is published monthly, except for Sands notes that «the article implies January and Augusts by the University of Arizona's Water fishing is permitted in the SRP canals. Resources Research Center. AWR accepts news, announce- It should be noted that since fishing is ments and other information from all organizations con- regulated by the Arizona Game and cerned wíth water. Material must be received by the 14th of the month to be Fish Department, SRP is not autho- published in the following month's issue. Subscriptions are free upon request. rized to prohibit fishing in its canais. SRP, however, strongly discourages it." Arizona Water Resource Staff Arizona Water Resource So noted. Editor: Joe Geh Water Besources Research Center David Hancocks, executive director Reporters: Barbara Teilman College of Agriculture of the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Mary Wallace The University of Arizona writes in response to a request in the Calendar: Vicky Freedman 350 North Campbell Avenue last installment of Vapors: Publisher: Gary Woodard Tucson, Arizona 85719 'In the latest issue of your excel- 602-792-9591; FAX 602-792451g lent magazine you ask for information WRRC Director:Hanna J. Cortaer Email: [email protected] about personal experiences with water 4 Arizona Water Resource May 1994

dented levels of distrust of local gov- from the SRP-M Indian Community, ernment. Martha Bean of Triangle the project is to be operated by SRP. Associates told the Citizens' CAP Annual operating costs of $420,000 and Oversight Committee that the lack of project storage capacity are divided News Briefs public confidence in local government among the seven participants with SRP and the highly technical issues involved owning 34 percent, Phoenix 27 per- Central Arizona ID will even preclude some consensus- cent, Mesa 25 percent, Chandler 7 Goes Bankrupt building techniques commonly used to percent, Gilbert 3 percent and Tempe resolve public disputes. and Scottsdale 2 percent each. The results of a public attitudes Four shallow spreading basins TheCentral Arizona Irrigation and survey based on in-depth interviews totalling 174 acres in area lying in the Drainage District has sought Chapter 9 with 60 key opinion leaders through- Salt River receive water via a 1.7 mile bankruptcy protection from $91 mil- out the community revealed a general delivery channel from a headworks in lion in Central Arizona Project-related belief that Tucson should hang onto its SRP's South Canal. The project, debts. Some $25 million of the debts CAP water and put it to use in some which was constructed by SRP-MIC's is owed to private bondholders with fashion. There was wide disagreement Salt River Sand and Rock enterprise, the balance owed to the U.S. Bureau of on what those uses should be, howev- will operate with two basins wetted at Reclamation. The private bonds cur- er. The consultants suggested that any given time while the other two are rently are not in default. The debt Tucson's Mayor and Council reaffirm dried and cleaned. The basins will be was incurred to finance construction of their commitment to having all CAP inundated by Salt River flows in excess distribution canals to bring CAP water options put «on the table» for consid- of 10,000 cubic feet per second; recon- to the district's 87,000 acres located on eration, noting that there was a wide- struction of the basins is estimated to 200 farms in Pima County near Eloy. spread sense that viable alternatives to cost $35,000. The filing comes just seven months direct treatment and delivery of CAP GRUSP is the first significant after New Magma Irrigation and water had been arbitrarily rejected in groundwater recharge project in the Drainage District filed for bankruptcy the past. Phoenix area and the largest in Arizo- (see April A WR, p. 1).Neither action The consulting team, headed by na. The project is capable of recharg- was unexpected and apparently will Martha Rozelle of Dames and Moore, ing CAP water for only a few dollars have no immediate impact on finances reported that the level of distrust and per acre-foot during wet years and of the Central Arizona Water Conser- technical complexity of the issues storing it to be pumped out as ground- vation District (CAWCD). Impacts would preclude it from completing the water during years when surface water are being felt, however, by local gov- scope of work within the original supplies are insufficient. ernments in Pinal County, and espe- timeline or $609,000 budget. The cially school districts. The property Oversight Committee directed the Students Win Water tax base has shrunk, and bond ratings consultants to bring back two options, have deteriorated.It is not clear one indicating what could be accom- Poster Award whether the bond ratings of other local plished within the original budget, and governments in central Arizona will be another option including substantially State finalists in the Water Education affected. more public input and a higher budget. Poster Contest were announced. Equally unclear are the long-term Lorraine Wright, third grade, Santa impacts these bankruptcies will have AZ's Largest Recharge Clara School, Tucson, and Danny on the irrigation districts' capability to Handke, fifth grade, Cochise School, stay in business and buy CAP water. Project Dedicated Scottsdale, will have their water post- Should the districts cease operations, ers featured in a 1994-95 calendar. the CAP repayment burden will fall TheSalt River Project (SRP), the Salt The annual contest is sponsored by more heavily on municipal and remain- River Pima-Maricopa Indian Commu- the International Office of Water ing agricultural users. nity (SRP-MIC) and the Cities of Education, Logan, Utah and is open to Chandler, Mesa, Gilbert, Phoenix, all K-6 students in Arizona, California Distrust Hinders Search Tempe and Scottsdale have completed (Los Angeles), Colorado, Nevada, New a major in-stream recharge project in Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.This for CAP Solutions the Salt River. Known as the Granite year's poster theme was "Groundwater Reef Underground Storage Project or - A Natural Wonder." A. consultantteam seeking ways to GRUSP, the $2.1 million project is Project Water Education for rebuild public confidence in Tucson capable of storing up to 200,000 acre- Teachers (WET) of the Water Resourc- Water and forge a community consen- feet of unused CAP water per year at es Research Center at the University of sus on how Tucson's CAP allocation the GRUSP site. Arizona is the state sponsor of the should be put to use reported unprece- Located on 350 acres of land leased event. June/July 1994 Arizona Water Resource 5

Municipal Rate Hikes creases, Tucson Water's rates have not ment had been conducting monthly been raised since May of 1992; never- tests for cholera since the disease invad- Meeting Resistance theless, Tucson's Mayor and Council ed Mexico from Peru three years ago. have been attacked by irate customers More frequent testing, chlorination of Anumber ofArizona municipalities who believe rates have been hiked, and wastewater and stepped-up inspections have hiked water rates in the last that the utility has begun charging of restaurants and food markets are several months, in many cases due to more for water in the summer than in expected to prevent the disease from increased costs of buying and treating the winter. gaining a foothold in Arizona. CAP water. Others are financing The confusion stems from changes repairs and expansions to distribution Tucson Water made to its rate struc- Visitor Center Costs to systems. In several cities, water depart- ture in December 1993. The number ment recommendations for sizable of customer classes was reduced from Rival Dam, Bridge increases are meeting with resistance seven to four and residential customers from city councils trying to avoid were changed from an increasing block TheBureau of Reclamation's new customer rate shock. rate structure with higher summer visitor center at Hoover Dam reported- Phoenix Water raised its rates steps to a summer surcharge structure. ly will cost $119 million, nearly four effective in June, with the typical Overall, the rate changes are revenue- times its original estimated cost of $32 customer seeing a 7.3 percent increase. neutral for the utility, but some cus- million. The 44,000 square foot center The hike was less than half the 15 tomers, particularly those with above- is nestled into the side of a cliff and percent recommended by a citizens' average summer-to-winter water use includes a five-level parking structure. advisory committee; the deferred in- peaks, saw significant bill increases. Cost overruns attributed to bad man- crease, earmarked for water treatment Equally significant, water bills now agement are blamed for pushing the facilities to meet federal water quality highlight the increased cost of summer- price of the center, scheduled for com- mandates, will be considered in Decem- time water use; previous bills gave no pletion in 1995, nearly as high as the ber. Phoenix last raised rates in De- indication that water cost more in the cost of building Hoover Dam itself. cember 1992. summer. (Authorized in 1928 and built between Elsewhere in Maricopa County, Tucson's Mayor and Council have 1933 and 1936, the total project cost Chandler raised rates 4 percent in voted to reconsider the rate changes in $385 million, with the dam costing February, with another increase con- early 1995. Circumstances may not $175 million. However, Hoover Dam templated in October. Glendale's rates give them much flexibility in providing would cost nearly $2 billion in 1994 were raised 7.2 percent last November, customer relief, however. Deferred dollars.) with another increase planned for this rate increases since 1992, the sale of The $119 million price tag also November. Mesa hasn't raised rates bonds to rebuild much of the aging comes close to the estimated $150 since a 5 percent increase in July 1993, water distribution system, higher costs million cost of a planned bridge which but an increase is possible this summer. for CAP water and major increases in will span the Colorado River near Scottsdale imposed a hefty 15 water quality testing all have caused Hoover Dam. Ultimately, the visitor percent rate increase on its water cus- Tucson Water's rate consultant to center costs will be borne by utilities tomers in July 1993, and also is con- propose annual rate increases of 8.2 and co-ops who purchase Hoover Dam templating another increase in the near percent for each of the next five years. power, several of which are located in future. Tempe water bills went up an Arizona. average of 5 percent after a rate in- Cholera Fears Fade crease last January. Rates will be Miscellany considered again in November. Along Mexico Border In Pima County, Metropolitan TheCity of Tucson reversed an Domestic Water Improvement District eek1y testing of sewage and water earlier decision and on July 5 applied and affiliated Oro Valley Water Im- samples in Nogales, Arizona has failed for an additional allocation of CAP provement District #1 raised rates by to uncover any further signs of cholera water of 36,116 acre-feet. Tucson 12.5 percent effective August 1 for after the potentially deadly bacteria currently has the CAP's largest M&I their 14,000 customers. MDWID, were detected two months ago. Chol- sub-contract.(see May A WR, p. 6). which was formed from the private era, which has killed over 6,000 people Dr. Nathan Buras of the Universi- Metropolitan Water company in 1992, in Mexico since 1991, was found in ty of Arizona's Department of Hydrol- previously raised rates January 1993. early June in sewage samples from the ogy and Water Resources received the The additional revenue generated will Nogales International Wastewater Education and Public Service award be used to replace undersized and Treatment Plant just north of Nogales. from the University Council on Water deteriorating mains, increase storage The plant treats sewage from both Resources at its annual meeting in Big capacity and install more fire hydrants. sides of the border. Sky, Montana. After 17 years of annual rate in- Santa Cruz County Health Depart- 6 Arizona Water Resource May 1994

Border Sewage Plant precluded ADWR from counting the use of recovered effluent in GPCD Study Funded calculations. The Appeals Court re- TITI jected this argument, stating that A.House-Senate conference commit- "counting recovered effluent is not the Legislation & Law tee has approved a bill containing $13 same as regulation of effluent.» million to study options for expanding AMWUA has appealed the decision to sewage treatment capacity on the U.S.- the Arizona Supreme Court. Goodfarb Defines Mexico border at Nogales. The exist- ing plant, jointly owned and operated Tucson Settles ADEQ Subflow by the International Border Water Commission and Nogales, Arizona, Lawsuit Progresswas made in the ongoing serves both Nogales, Arizona and quest to define subflow in Arizona Nogales, Sonora. A recent $11 million TheCity of Tucson and the Arizona when Judge Stanley Goodfarb decided expansion substantially boosted treat- Department of Environmental Quality on criteria for determining what ment capacity, but rapid growth in agreed to an out-of-court settlement of groundwater is subject to adjudication Nogales, Sonora has caused sewage a dispute over testing of drinking (see April AWR, p. 7). inflows to outpace capacity. water wells. ADEQ had cited Tucson Goodfarb defined subflow in his The study will consider expanding in November 1993 for not testing June 30 opinion as the saturated flood- the current plant, building a new water at each of the City's 173 active plain alluvium. He stated that wells plant, and other options. Arizona's wells. ADEQ also had alleged that that pump subflow or whose cones of congressional delegation had sought Tucson failed to report three instances depression reach the subflow zone and funding for the study since the crisis of water quality violations and had not affect the stream are to be included in became apparent in 1992, but the received final state approval for its the Gua River Adjudication. measure was defeated until now by CAP water treatment plant. Tucson Judge Goodfarb's subflow defini- opponents of the North American has maintained that it has to test water tion includes the following: Free Trade Act. at only 16 locations within its potable Subflow is adjacent to a perennial water system, and that it never deliv- or intermittent stream and hydrolog- Appeals Court Upholds ered substandard water to customers. ically connected with the stream; Terms of the settlement call for The subflow zone is limited to that ADWR's SMP Tucson to: portion of the floodplain alluvium pay ADEQ a $50,000 fine to be where flow direction, water level, TheArizona Court of Appeals used to help small rural water systems; gradient and chemical composition are reversed a Superior Court ruling and spend $300,000 to $400,000 to substantially the same as the surface upheld the Arizona Department of create an artificial wetlands to recharge stream; Water Resources' authority to regulate groundwater with treated effluent; and The outside boundary of the sub- the use of groundwater pumped as begin testing water at 126 locations flow zone will be adjusted to eliminate recovered effluent. Arizona Municipal in the potable system. the effects of adjacent tributary or Water Users Association (AMWUA) The settlement's biggest expense is basin fill aquifers (i.e., a 100- to 200- had challenged ADWR's authority to the cost of increasing water testing foot setback); and limit the use of groundwater pumped from 16 to 126 sites, projected to raise Well owners within the subflow as recovered effluent, arguing that since testing costs from a current level of zone will have an opportunity to ADWR could not regulate the direct $1.2 million to $2.3 million per year. prove that their wells take water from use of effluent, it could not regulate its below the zone. indirect use. Apache Junction Forms Goodfarb's 66-page ruling (along The ruling upholds ADWR's Sec- with 26 appendices) was issued after ond Management Plan (SMP) that Water District the judge conducted a series of hearings states recovered effluent shall be count- and a field trip to the San Pedro River. ed in determining whether a municipal TheCity of Apache Junction has His highly technical ruling includes water provider's per capita water con- formed Arizona's first water communi- testimony of experts and consideration sumption (GPCD) exceeds allowed ty facilities district to enable it to of diverse positions of groundwater levels. AMWUA had argued success- acquire Consolidated Water's Apache users and surface water proponents. fully before the lower court that the Junction System. Consolidated, which The ruling, which gives a rather expan- Arizona Supreme Court's decision in filed for bankruptcy in June 1993, sive definition of subflow, is expected Arizona Public Service Co. y. Long, serves 4,000 of Apache Junction's to be reviewed by the Arizona Su- which held that effluent was not regu- 18,000 residents and some 3,800 per- preme Court. lated under the groundwater code, sons in its Parker Strip System. June/July 1994 Arizona Water Resource

spend its $4,500 grant to create interpretive signage and publish "Trail Guide" pamphlets for its demonstration gar- den. The City of Peoria will use $4,000 to retrofit plumbing fixtures in its public housing units. Special Projects Desert Botanical Gardens received the second largest grant awarded, $59,025, to be used at the Desert House for The Arizona Department of Water Resources, Phoenix plant irrigation with greywater. Cloud Ranches was award- Active Management Area (AMA), has awarded $520,000 in ed $30,000 to demonstrate the use of sub-surface drip irriga- grants for 17 conservation assistance projects. (An additional tion on 61 acres of nursery and fruit trees and vegetables. $1.1 million has been awarded for 11 augmentation grants, which will be reviewed next month.) Grants are awarded Research and Analysis annually following a review process by the Phoenix AMA The University of Arizona's Arizona Meteorological Groundwater Users Advisory Council. (AZMET) program was awarded $10,400 to upgrade the The number and size of grants funded in 1994 were evapotranspiration (ET) data derived from its weather station substantially increased by the transfer of money originally and to continue making the information available by phone set aside to fund the start-up of the authorized but never for landscape irrigators in the Phoenix AMA. AZMET has formed Phoenix AMA Groundwater Replenishment District. been funded by AMWUA, but its support ends September The grants, which loosely fall into four categories, are sum- 1994. marized below: USDA-ARS received $45,000 to develop agricultural water budget software to design more efficient sloping field Training irrigation systems. The software will be distributed free of Arizona Municipal Water Users Association (AMWUA) charge through ADWR and other agencies. received $6,200 to hold a one-day technical training work- Boyce-Thompson Arboretum received a second grant for shop for water auditors. The eight-hour workshop, conduct- $11,558 to measure the consumptive water use of various ed by Pequod Associates of California, will be open to up to groundcovers and identify low water-use species. 25 conservation program managers from municipal water The largest grant, for $110,000, will be shared by Arizo- departments and private water companies in the Phoenix na State's Morrison Institute and the University of Arizona's AMA. Water Resources Research Center. Each submitted proposals Scholarships totalling $3,975 were funded to provide to evaluate the effectiveness of conservation measures, using Phoenix AMA high school students with scholarships to different approaches. AD'WR currently is negotiating with attend the Natural Resource Conservation Workshop for both groups to produce a scope of work tailored to meet the Arizona Youth. Phoenix AMA's needs. Phoenix Revitalization Corporation is receiving $45,000 Finally, $16,000 was awarded to MegEcon Consult- to train residents of low-income neighborhoods to do ing. Sharon Megdal, a former Arizona Corporation Com- plumbing retrofits. The program will train "at risk" youths missioner, will attempt to resolve differences and draft an in an area marked by high water use and high crime, to intergovernmental agreement between ADWR and the ACC perform indoor plumbing retrofits. that lessens constraints on private water companies adopting conservation-oriented rate structures and passing through Communications costs for conservation programs to customers. KAET-TV will receive $11,000 to produce spring and fall For more information on these grants, call Marjie Risk versions of low water use landscaping videos. Kid's View or Jim Holway at ADWR, Phoenix AMA, 602-542-1512. Communications was awarded $30,000 to extend their Bear Essential News for children from Pima and Santa Cruz Coun- 1995 Program Applications Solicited ties into elementary schools in Maricopa County. The ADWR's Phoenix AMA currently is soliciting augmenta- newspaper will include information on water conservation tion and conservation assistance grant proposals for its 1995 and living in the desert. grant cycle. Approximately $2 million is available for awards. The purpose of the Augmentation Program is to Demonstration Projects supplement the water supply of the Phoenix AMA, includ- The City of Tempe will use its $20,000 grant to con- ing surface water storage, artificial groundwater recharge, and struct a xeriscape demonstration garden in Papago Park effluent reuse. The objective of the Conservation Assistance along the north bank of the Salt River. Mesa will spend Program is to assist water users within the AMA to reduce $15,000 to rehabilitate a demonstration xeriscape garden water consumption, both indoors and outdoors. located at Superstition Springs Center shopping mall. Im- For more information or to receive an application pack- provements will include signage. Boyce-Thompson Arbore- et, contact Alan Fehrman, Augmentation and Conservation tum is receiving $20,000 for interpretive signage for its dem- Assistance Grant Coordinator, at ADWR, Phoenix AMA, onstration garden, also. And Arizona Master Gardeners will 602-542-1512. 8 Arizona Water Resource May 1994

Where to Get Free (or Almost Free) Information About Water in Arizona Barbara Tellman. This updated version of a 1991 publica- tion serves as a convenient guide to sources of information Publications about various aspects of water in Arizona. The first two copies of the directory are free. Request prices for larger quantities. Water Resources Research Cen- ter, University of Arizona, 350 N. Campbell Ave., Tucson, My Well y. Your Surface Water Rights: How Western AZ 85721; Phone: 602-792-9591; FAX: 602-792-8518. States Manage Interconnected Groundwater and Surface Water Water: The Resource That Gets Used and Used and Barbara Teilman. This study reviews options for coordinat- Used For Everything ed management of groundwater and surface water. Manage- This free poster, available in both English and Spanish, ment plans now in place in various western states are de- illustrates the diverse uses of water and how water is recy- scribed, without evaluating their effectiveness. State instream cled throughout time. Water terms, a game and water con- flow programs also are described. Based on historical back- sumption and usage charts are included on the back side of ground, Teliman presents a theory as to why conjunctive the poster. management has been adopted in most states. Three additional posters depicting groundwater, waste- Single copies are available free from the Water Resources water treatment and wetlands also are available. All four of Research Center, University of Arizona, 350 N. Campbell the posters are available at two educational levels: kindergar- Ave., Tucson, AZ 85721; Phone: 602-792-9591; Fax 792-8518. ten through grade five; and grades six through eight. Up to 50 copies of each of the four posters are available Arizona Stream Adjudication Bulletin free from the Geological Survey, Map Distri- The Office of the Special Master publishes the «Arizona bution, Box 25286, Denver Federal Center, Denver, CO Stream Adjudication Bulletin» to report adjudication prog- 80225-0425. Posters for classroom use should be requested ress. Published 10 times per year, the bulletin can be pur- on official school letterhead and indicate the grade level of chased for $12 from the Office of the Special Master, Arizo- the students. na General Stream Adjudication, Arizona State Courts Build- ing, 1501 W. Washington, Suite 228, Phoenix, AZ 85007. Method to identify wells that yield water that will be For more information, contact the Office of the Special replaced by Colorado River water in Arizona, Master at 602-542-9600 or the Adjudications Division of the California, Nevada, and Utah Arizona Department of Water Resources at 602-542-1520 or Richard P. Wilson and Sandra J. Owen-Joyce. This report l-800-352-8488. presents a method of identifying wells outside the flood plain of the lower Colorado River that yield water that will be Fish May Be Cash Crop for Arizona Farmers - replaced by Colorado River water. Harvesting the Desert Waters The report is published as U.S. Geological Survey Water- Joe Gelt. Volume 7, Number 4 of Arroyo, a quarterly publi- Resources Investigations Report 94-4005. Copies are avail- cation of the Water Resources Research Center. This edi- able for inspection at U.S. Geological Survey offices in tion discusses the growth of aquaculture and its expansion Tucson, Tempe, Yuma and Flagstaff and may be purchased into the arid Southwest.It describes how aquaculture and from USGS, Earth Science Information Center, Open-File agriculture are complementary activities in Arizona. Oppor- Reports Section, Box 25286, MS517 Denver Federal Center, tunities and constraints to Arizona aquaculture are identified. CO 80225. Microfiche $18.25; paper copy $86.25. Individual copies - also subscriptions of Arroyo - are available without charge from the Water Resources Research Water Resources Data for Arizona, Water Year 1993 Center, University of Arizona, 350 N. Campbell Ave., C.F. Smith, P.D. Rigas, L.K. Ham, N.R. Duet, and D.W. Tucson, AZ 85721; Phone: 602-792-9591; Fax: 602-792-8518. Anning. This report compiles surface water, chemical quali- ty and groundwater data. It includes discharge records, Flash Flood: A Warning to Beware annual peaks, lake and reservoir records, evaporation of lakes This 30-minute video depicts the threat that flash floods pose and reservoirs, diversions, return flows and water quality to unsuspecting motorists in Arizona. One half of all flood records for both surface water stations and wells. deaths are vehicle related, and driving quickly through a Published as U.S. Geological Survey Water-Data Report flash flood intensifies the danger. Footage includes several AZ-93-1, the report can be purchased from the National scenes of motorists stranded in the middle of rushing waters Technical Information Service, U.S. Department of Com- while rescuers attempt to reach them. merce, Springfield, VA 22161. Copies are available for Available from the Public Information Coordinator, inspection at the U.S.G.S offices in Tucson, Tempe, Yuma Flood Control District of Maricopa County, 2801 West and Flagstaff. Durango St., Phoenix, AZ 85009; Phone: 602-506-1501; $5. June/July 1994 Arizona Water Resource 9

taking advantage of an early retirement incentive offered last spring. New appointments include Robert M. Hirsch, the Survey's new chief hydrologist in Reston. Hirsch, who Transitions replaced the retiring Phil Cohen, previously held the position of Assistant Chief Hydrologist for Research and Centrai Arizona Water Conservation District General External Coordination. Manager Tom Clark announced he will retire December 30. The U:S.G.S. has named Nick B. Meicher as its new Clark, who started in 1981, has been CAWCD's only gener- Arizona District Chief. Meicher, who came to Tucson in al manager. During his tenure, CAWCD's staff grew, along July from the District Chief position in Iowa, replaces Bob with the Centrai Arizona Project, from three employees in Mac Nish, now at the University of Arizona (see A t27, 1981 to over 400 employees today. April 1994, p. 7). Prior to going to CAWCD, Clark worked with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation arid the Arizona Interstate Stream Arizona Department of Water Resources Chief Legal Coun- Commission. His responsibilities at the CAWCD included cil T.C. Richmond currently is on a three-month leave developing repayment analyses used to fashion CAP repay- following the birth of her daughter June 9. Pat Schiffer is ment and contracting structures. Clark leaves the CAWCD Acting Council in the interim. at a time when it is struggling to deal with lagging demand for CAP water, a problem exacerbated by the recent bank- Arizona Department of Water Resources, Tucson AMA, has ruptcy of two major irrigation district contractors (see story, two new members on its Groundwater Users Advisory p.4). Council. John Jones, who has been acting director of Tuc- son Water, replaces Bill Ely, who served since 1982. Alan President Clinton named Tucsonan John Bernal as Com- Lune, a retired 4-star general and executive vice president of missioner of the International Boundary and Water Commis- SAWARA, replaces water attorney Hugh Holub, who has sion. Bernai replaced Narendra Gunaji, who retired in May been on the GUAC since 1988. (see A WR, May 1994, p. 9). Bernal left a position as director of Pima County's Department of Transportation and Flood Dale Pontius has returned to Tucson after two years in Control to become the first Arizonan to head the IBWC. Washington, D.C. serving as Vice President of Conservation Programs for American Rivers. Pontius has been named Kent McClain has been named the new director of Tucson director of American Rivers' Southwest Regional Office, Water effective August 15. The appointment by Tucson with offices in Phoenix and Tucson. He will be housed in City Manager Mike Brown ends an 11-month search for a the Udall Center at the University of Arizona through the replacement for Mike Tubbs, which saw several finalists end of the year. Prior to working for American Rivers, withdraw or turn down the opportunity to run the belea- Pontius worked as a natural resources consultant and water guered utility. lawyer. McClain's previous experience includes stints as city manager of Flagstaff, Santa Monica and Fremont,California. Most recently, McClain was general manager of Las Virgenes Anzona Water Resource is financed in part by Municipal Water District in Calabasas, California. John sponsoring agencies, inclu&ng Jones, who served as acting director in the interim, is assist- ing in the transition before returning to administrative duties Arizona Department of Environmental Quality in City Hall. Arizona Department of Water Resources Bob Brice has left Tucson Water where he served as Assis- tant Director of Operations to become the director of water Arizona Municipal Water Users Association and wastewater for Cobb County, Georgia. The utility, located outside of Atlanta, serves a population of 400,000. Central Arizona Water Conservation District Brice had been with Tucson Water 20 years, the last 10 as assistant director. The position of assistant director of opera- Salt River Project tions is being eliminated through reorganization. Tucson Water The new head of the U.S.G.S. is Gordon P. Eaton, who was nominated last spring and recently confirmed by Congress. USGS Water Resources Division Eaton, who replaces Dallas Peck, previously was Director of Water Utilities Association of Arizona the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory at Columbia Uni- versity. There has been substantial turnover in recent months at Their contributions help make continued publica- the U.S.G.S., due mainly to several hundred employees tion of this newsletter possible. 10 Arizona Water Resource May 1994 Xeriscape Conference Upcoming

Xeriscape: Making it Work for You" is the title of a Sep- tember 8 conference to be held at the Phoenix Civic Plaza. Announcements Conference sessions will illustrate Xeriscape principles and will provide participants with practical information on landscape design, plant selection, irrigation system design, Conjunctive Management plant maintenance and efficient irrigation systems. For Conference Scheduled additional information contact the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association, 602-248-8482. Thisconference is to provide an opportunity for decision- makers, agency staff and university faculty to discuss legisla- RFP-Nonpoint Source tive options for managing groundwater and surface water. Demonstration Projects The goal is not to reach agreement but to explore various options and ideas. The conference is to be held October 6 in Casa Grande at the Holiday Inn, 777 N. Pinal Ave. For TheArizona Department of Environmental Quality, Non- point Source Unit request proposals for 319(h) Nonpoint additional information contact Barbara Teliman, Water Resources Research Center, University of Arizona, 350 N. Source Demonstration Projects by October 15. For infor- mation regarding projects questionnaire, targeting criteria, Campbell Ave, Tucson, AZ 85721; Phone: 602-792-9591; Fax: and the USEPA 319(h) Demonstration Project Guidance for 602-792-8518. Federal FY-95, contact Larry Stephenson, Nonpoint Source Unit, Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, 3033 ADWR Prepares for Final Round of N. Central Ave., 5th fir., Phoenix, AZ 85012; 602-207-4508. Public Comment on Proposed Rules CAWCD Seeks General Manager TheArizona Department of Water Resources' Proposed Assured and Adequate Water Supply Rules have been ap- TheCentral Arizona Water Conservation District is seek- proved by the Governor's Regulatory Review Council. ing a new general manager to replace Thomas C. Clark who ADWR now is preparing for a final round of public com- is retiring December 30. Interested candidates should con- ments to be presented in writing or at public meetings. tact by September 30 Mr. Bruce Lawson, Ernst and Young, Submit written comments by 5:00 p.m., September 7, to 2 Renaissance Square, 40 N. Central Avenue, Suite 900, Rose Mae Nokes, Docket Supervisor, Arizona Department Phoenix, AZ 85004; Phone: 602-528-5167. of Water Resources, 15 South 15th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85007; Phone: 602-542-1540; Fax: 602-542-3383. Arizona Water Resources Association A Tucson public hearing is scheduled 10:00 a.m., Sep- tember 6, at the Arizona Corporation Commission Hearing Symposium to Meet Room, Room 222, State Office Building, 400 W. Congress. A Phoenix public hearing is scheduled 2:00 p.m., Sept. 7 at The15th annual Arizona Water Resources Association the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Auditorium, 205 Symposium will be held on October 28th in Tucson. This W. Jefferson. year's conference theme is "The Future of Water Quality in Arizona: Federal, State and Local Issues." For additional Arizona Hydrological Society Hosts information, contact Virginia Welford, Arizona Department of Water Resources, 400 W. Congress, Suite 518, Tucson, Annual Symposium AZ 85701; 602-628-6758. TheArizona Hydrological Society announces its Seventh Corp of Engineers Has Annual Symposium, "Approaching the Millennium: Evolv- ing Perspectives in Water Resources" to be held September Volunteer Hotline 22-23 in Scottsdale at the Wyndham Paradise Valley Resort. The program includes over 60 speakers who will present TheU.S. Army Corps of Engineers has established a Vol- papers in 15 technical sessions on legal, technical and institu- unteer Hotline (1-800-VOL-TEER or 1-800-865-8337) to tional aspects of surface water and groundwater management. provide information about volunteer opportunities with the In addition, contractors, service companies and suppliers will Corps nationwide. This Clearinghouse helps determine showcase product and service capabilities in water and envi- where volunteers' skills can be most used within the 200 ronmental applications. Registration fees range from $140 to Corps projects across the country. Callers should be ready $190. For registration information and a program brochure, to provide information about their interests, talents, and pre- contact Delores Geiser at 602-236-2308. ferred service locations. June/July 1994 Arizona Water Resource 11 f>C Calendar of Events

RECURRING UPCOMING

Arizona Hydrological Society. 2nd Tuesday of the month. Sept. 6 Çrue) Public Hearing, Arizona Department of Meetings held at WRRC, 350 N. Campbell Ave., Tucson. Water Resources' Proposed Assured and Adequate Water Contact: Laurie Wirt 602-670-6231. Supply Rules. 10:00 a.m., Arizona Corporation Commission Hearing Room, Room 222, State Office Building, 400 W. Arizona Water Resources Advisory Board. Sept. 22, 10:00 Congress. Contact: Rose Mae Nokes, Docket Supervisor, a.m., ADWR, 15 South 15th Ave., Phoenix. Contact: Arizona Department of Water Resources, 602-542-1540. Beverly Beddow 602-542-1553. Sept. 7 (Wed) Public Hearing, Arizona Department of Casa Del Agua. Hourly tours, Sundays noon to 4:00 p.m., Water Resources' Proposed Assured and Adequate Water 4366 North Stanley, Tucson. Contact: 602-791-4331. Supply Rules. 2:00 p.m., Maricopa County Board of Super- visors Auditorium, 205 W. Jefferson. Contact Rose Mae Central Arizona Water Conservation District,ist Thurs- Nokes, Docket Supervisor, Arizona Department of Water day of the month, 12:30 p.m. CAP Board Room, 23636 N. Resources, 602-542-1540. 7th St., Phoenix. Contact: 602-870-2333. Sept. 8 (Thu) "Xeriscape: Making it Work for You." City of Tucson Citizens Water Advisory Committee.ist Phoenix Civic Plaza. Contact Arizona Municipal Water Tuesday of the month, 7:00 a.m. 310 W. Alameda, Tucson. Users Association, 602-248-8482. Contact: Karen Alf 602-791-2666. Sept. 22-23 (Thu-Fri) Arizona Hydrological Society's Sev- Phoenix AMA, GUAC. Sept. 7, 9:30 a.m. ADWR, Phoe- enth Annual Symposium, "Approaching the Millennium: nix AMA Conference Room, 15 S. 15th Ave., Phoenix. Evolving Perspectives in Water Resources." Wyndham Contact: Mark Frank 602-542-1512. Paradise Valley Resort, Scottsdale. Registration fees range from $140 to $190. Contact: Delores Geiser, 602-236-2308. Pima Association of Governments / Water Quality Sub- committee. Sept. 16, 9:30 a.m. meeting scheduled. Contact: Sept. 22-23 Çrhu-Fri) Water Quality in the Sustainable Gail Kushner 602-792-1093. West. Utah National Park Service Water Quality Task Force. Contact Jack Wilbur, 801-538-7098. Pima County Flood Control District.Sept. 21, 7:30-9:30 a.rn. meeting. Contact: Carla Danforth 602-740-6350. Sept. 26-28 (Mon-Wed) 7th Annual Rocky Mountain Groundwater Conference. Contact Dr. Paul Seaber, Desert Pinal AMA, GUAC. 3rd Wednesday of the month, 5:30 Research Institute, P.O. Box 19040, , NV 89132- p.m. Pinal AMA Office, 1000 E. Racine, Conference Room, 0040; 702-895-0487. Casa Grande. Contact: Dennis Kimberlin 602-836-4857. Oct. 6 (Thu) Managing Arizona's Groundwater and Prescott AMA, GUAC. Sept. 26, 10:00 a.m. Prescott City Surface Water: Problems, Choices and Opportunities. Council Chambers, 2200 Hillsdale, Suite A, Prescott. Con- Holiday Inn, 777 N. Pinal Ave., Casa Grande. Contact tact: Phil Foster 602-778-7202. Barbara Tellman, Water Resources Research Center, Univer- sity of Arizona, 350 N. Campbell Ave, Tucson, AZ 85721; Tucson AMA, GUAC. Tentatively set for Sept. 16, 9:00 Phone: 602-792-9591; Fax: 602-792-8518. a.m. Tucson AMA offices, 400 West Congress, Suite 518, Tucson. Contact: Linda Stitzer 602-628-6758. Oct. 28 (Eri) 15th annual Arizona Water Resources Asso- ciation Symposium, "The Future of Water Quality in Verde Watershed Association. Sept. 6, 9:00 p.m. in Sedona. Arizona: Federal, State and Local Issues." Contact Virgin- For more information contact Tom Bonomo, VWA News- ia Welford, Arizona Department of Water Resources, 400 W. letter Editor, do Verde R.D., P.O. Box 670, Camp Verde. Congress, Suite 518, Tucson, AZ 85701; 602-628-6758. 602-567-4121. Nov. 6-10 (Thu-Mon) American Water Resources Associa- Yavapai County Flood Control District,ist Monday of tion Conference. Chicago, flhinois. Featuring a National the month in Prescott; 4th Monday of the month in Camp Symposium on Water Quality. Contact AWEA, 5410 Verde. Contact: YCFCD, 255 East Gurley, Prescott, 86301. Grosvenor Lane, Suite 220, Bethesda, MD 20814-2192; 301- 493-8600. 12 Arizona Water Resource May 1994 Announcements;, continued from page 10 Student Papers Invited Rocky Mountain Groundwater for Competition Conference Scheduled TheHydrolab Corporation, the American Water Resourc- es Association and the Universities Council on Water Re- The7th Annual Rocky Mountain Groundwater Confer- sources are sponsoring a student paper competition. An ence is scheduled for September 26-28 in Las Vegas, Nevada. award will be given for best student paper presented at the Topics include groundwater resource management, aquifer Annual American Water Resources Association (AWRA) and wellhead protection, vadose zone flow and transport, meeting November 6-10, in Chicago. Other awards will be groundwater quality and contamination, legal and policy presented for the best undergraduate technical paper and the aspects and interstate and international issues. The confer- best graduate technical paper. ence also will include a field trip to the Nevada Test Site and Two copies of the paper must be submitted by Septem- Yucca Mountain. Conference fee is $125 and includes the ber 16, 1994. For additional information contact: Dr. N. field trip. For more information contact the Conference Earl Spangenberg, AWRA Student Paper Competition, Host and Chairman: Dr. Paul Seaber, Desert Research Insti- College of Natural Resources, University of Wisconsin- tute, P.O. Box 19040, Las Vegas, NV 89132-0040; Tele- Stevens Point, WI 54481; 715-346-2372. phone: 702-895-0487; Fax: 702-895-0427. IWRA Seeks New Executive Director Water Use Clearinghouse Established TheInternational Water Resources Association (IWRA) TheAmerican Water Works Association (AWWA) has seeks an executive director to run the day-to-day operations established a National Water Use Clearinghouse with fund- and direct the organization's world-wide growth. This half- ing from the Environmental Protection Agency. The clear- to full-time position is an opportunity for a professional and inghouse collects and distributes both technical information an affiliated institution to operate at an international level. and general consumer information about water use efficiency Inquiries about the position and the application proce- and conservation. Topics include resource management dure should be addressed to: Dr. Glenn E. Stout, Executive issues, utility conservation measures, wastewater reuse and Director, University of Illinois, 1101 West Peabody Drive, more. For additional information contact: Rick Harmon; Urbana, U. 61801. Suggested submission date is October 15, 303-347-6195. 1994.

Recycled paper o Recyclable paper

NON-PROFIT ORG. The University of Arizona US POs1A(;E Water Resources Reseath Center PAID Tucson, Arizona85721 TUCSON, ARIZONA PERMIT NO. 190 Address Correctïon Requested kR1ZONA WATER RESOURCE

THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA TUCSON ARIZONA