How do we use our water?How do we use our water?

GPH 111GPH 111

How do we use our water?How do we use our water?

• ResidentialResidential – 1,020,000 acre feet – 1,020,000 acre feet

• AgricultureAgriculture – 850,000 acre feet* – 850,000 acre feet*

• IndustryIndustry – 138,000 acre feet – 138,000 acre feet

• Golf CoursesGolf Courses – 103,500 acre feet – 103,500 acre feet

• GovernmentalGovernmental – ~92,000 acre feet – ~92,000 acre feet

• ConstructionConstruction – 92,000 acre feet – 92,000 acre feet

At least, as best as I can piece it together…

*Known amount?*Known amount?

Residential Uses…Residential Uses…

Uses roughly 44% of water available in the Phoenix AMA

Agricultural Uses…Agricultural Uses…

Dropping 11,500 acre feet a year… because

1)1) Urbanization of agricultural lands*Urbanization of agricultural lands*2) the prohibition on the irrigation of new lands2) the prohibition on the irrigation of new lands3) conservation efforts by farmers3) conservation efforts by farmers

*there’s a catch*there’s a catchUses ~37% of water available in the AMA

Agricultural Uses…Agricultural Uses…

$6 to 7 billion a year industry in the state of Arizona

US Water News

Agricultural Uses…Agricultural Uses…Utilizes 37% of water available for use in the Phoenix AMA

Water-intensive crops.Crop Typical waterrequirement (in pounds)per 1 pound of cropCotton 3,500 – 14,500Rice 1,500 – 2,500Sugar Cane 750 – 1,500Soya 1,000Wheat 450Potatoes 250

And alfalfa…

Industry Uses…Industry Uses…

Uses roughly 6% of water available in the Phoenix AMA

How much money does industry make?

Golf Course Uses…Golf Course Uses…

Uses roughly 4.5% of water available in the Phoenix AMA

Generates $3.4 billion annually in Arizona

Governmental Uses…Governmental Uses…

Uses roughly ~4% of water available in the Phoenix AMA

Schools, Parks, Governmental Buildings, Tempe Town Lake…

Construction Uses…Construction Uses…

Uses roughly 4% of water available in the Phoenix AMA

Greater than $2.2 billion annually, likely closer to $7 billion

Dust control and washing

Construction site Separation of clast sizes

Interesting Water Use Interesting Water Use Statistics:Statistics:

• Americans use 2,000 gallons a dayAmericans use 2,000 gallons a day• Some people use 10 gallons a daySome people use 10 gallons a day• At home, we use 200 gallons a dayAt home, we use 200 gallons a day• A watered lawn uses 36,500 gallonsA watered lawn uses 36,500 gallons• 26 gallons to grow each ear of corn26 gallons to grow each ear of corn• 3,500 gallons to produce one pound of beef3,500 gallons to produce one pound of beef• 1,400 gallons to produce a single fast food 1,400 gallons to produce a single fast food

mealmeal

Problems with Our Water Problems with Our Water Supply:Supply:• 520 million cubic yards of water are mined 520 million cubic yards of water are mined

from Arizona aquifers every year, double from Arizona aquifers every year, double the recharge ratethe recharge rate

• 90 billion gallons of water (Leachate) seep 90 billion gallons of water (Leachate) seep from 18,500 landfills each year in the USfrom 18,500 landfills each year in the US

• Lake Mead and Powell at low levels, CAP Lake Mead and Powell at low levels, CAP will take the first hit will take the first hit

• Phoenix is growing rapidly: both residential Phoenix is growing rapidly: both residential and industrial growth requires more waterand industrial growth requires more water

• Dams and sediment, lose ability to store Dams and sediment, lose ability to store water and clog waterways over timewater and clog waterways over time

1) Unsustainable groundwater supplies

2) Surface and ground water contamination

3) Drought conditions

4) Continued growth

5) Infrastructure issues

Long Term Problems with Our Water Long Term Problems with Our Water Supply:Supply:

Lake Powell

Lake Mead

Between now and the Meeting!!!Between now and the Meeting!!!• Break the class into groupsBreak the class into groups: :

ResidentsResidents, , FarmersFarmers, , IndustryIndustry, , ConstructionConstruction, , GovernmentGovernment, , Golf Course Golf Course IndustryIndustry

• ResearchResearch your “Group” over the next your “Group” over the next twotwo weeks weeks

• Write a TWO page paperWrite a TWO page paper (bibliography)(bibliography)

• Page 1Page 1 – defend your “group’s” water – defend your “group’s” water useuse

• Page 2Page 2 - how YOU (as a member of your - how YOU (as a member of your group) propose to solve our group) propose to solve our 251,000 251,000 acre feetacre feet overdraft for PHOENIX overdraft for PHOENIX

Your GoalYour Goal: 100% Renewable Water Supply for Phoenix: 100% Renewable Water Supply for Phoenix

What’s needed for the Meeting!!!What’s needed for the Meeting!!!•WATER LAB 2 RESPONSIBILITYWATER LAB 2 RESPONSIBILITY: :

Come to class well dressed Come to class well dressed (worth (worth

1/2 of the lab grade)1/2 of the lab grade) on the Nov. 14 on the Nov. 14thth, , 1515thth, or 16, or 16th (your lab time)th (your lab time) prepared to prepared to discuss your group’s point of view discuss your group’s point of view (worth the other 1/2 of the lab grade)(worth the other 1/2 of the lab grade)

(NOT A FORMAL PRESENTATION).(NOT A FORMAL PRESENTATION). • This is the same date your papers are This is the same date your papers are

due.due.

• Ask me about extra credit!Ask me about extra credit!Class GoalClass Goal: 100% Renewable Water Supply for Phoenix: 100% Renewable Water Supply for Phoenix

Things to Know: (for the Things to Know: (for the exam)exam)• Who are the major water users in Who are the major water users in

the Phoenix AMA by rank of usethe Phoenix AMA by rank of use

• The 5 problems with our water The 5 problems with our water supply?supply?

Help: Chapter 6