It’s clear that water is a hot topic for SaddleBrooke residents, as nearly every seat in the Desert View Performing Arts Center was filled for the presentation on Monday, March 3 called “In the Know on H2O”. This program was hosted by the SaddleBrooke Public Affairs Commission, a cross-community group that works proactively to share important developments that can influence our quality of life.
A panel of expert speakers (representatives from JW Water, Metro Water District and the University of Arizona Water Resource Research Center) helped residents understand the current operational, environmental and legal factors that influence the availability and quality of our groundwater. A number of thoughtful questions were thoroughly answered as we concluded the afternoon. A full recording, along with copies of the handout and Powerpoint slides, are available on SaddleBrooke HOA-1 and HOA-2 websites.
Here are some of the key takeaways from each segment of the program:
JW Water (owner and operator of 18 water and wastewater systems, including Lago del Oro and SaddleBrooke Utilities)
- Jill Schwartz, VP Regulatory, and Trevor Edwards, Utilities Coordinator, explained how SaddleBrooke water comes from 18 active wells; 11 are designated as “Assured and Adequate Water Supply.” The wells range from 240 feet to 1,350 feet deep, and water levels will now be monitored annually.
- JW is focused on investing in water and sewer infrastructure to ensure long-term sustainability and reliability. There are many benefits to residents, including improved reliability, accessibility and safety. For example, water meters will be automatically and quickly read via software; water lines from streets to homes will be upgraded to copper to prevent cracking and leaks.
- Water rates for Lago del Oro have not increased since 2014; and since 2021 for SaddleBrooke Utilities. It will be 12 months or more before rate increases will take effect. Customers will have opportunities to participate and provide comments to the ACC.
- Contact JW Water at 844-257-2297 or info@jwwater.net. An enhanced website is underway; visit jwwater.net.
Metro Water District (a domestic water improvement district covering much of the Tucson metropolitan area)
- Wally Wilson, Water Resources Manager and study co-chair, shared the findings from the Lower Santa Cruz Basin Study. The study was designed to identify where physical water resources are needed to mitigate supply-demand imbalances… and develop strategies to improve water reliability.
- Groundwater levels within the Tucson Active Management Area (of which SaddleBrooke is a part) declined sharply from 1940 until the early 2000s, when the Tucson metro area started importing Colorado River water. Depending on the severity of climate change and growing demand, water levels will recover somewhat but will remain below those recorded in 1940.
- The study found four areas of concern where groundwater is expected to decline without mitigation efforts. The Canada del Oro/SaddleBrooke area is one of these areas.
- Many adaptation strategies – at the homeowner, regional and state level – are possible. Each has costs and benefits, and a combination of strategies will be considered.
- Contact Wally by phone at (520) 209-2818 or send an email to wwilson@metrowater.com.
University of Arizona Water Resource Research Center (tackling key water policy and management issues, empowering informed decision-making, and enriching understanding through engagement, education and applied research)
- Sharon Megdal shared the legal and regulatory framework for providing and managing the availability of water resources locally and across the state. Factors that influence policy include the location of water demands and supplies; economics; nature of involvement of government and non-government entities; polities; public values and more.
- Wicked Water Problems are big problems that do not have a simple pathway to resolving them. Two Wicked Water Problems Arizona faces are: 1) Imbalance of Water Supply and Demand (Colorado River in particular); and 2) Groundwater invisibility and overdraft. Collaboration and interdisciplinary work are necessary for addressing Wicked Water Problems.
- There are many options to address these problems: conservation, greater efficiency, re-using water, storing/banking water, desalination, moving water, rainwater/stormwater recapture and more.
- SaddleBrooke is served by a privately owned water company. Our Assured Water Certificate is based on groundwater availability and membership in the Central Arizona Groundwater Replenishment District. There is no direct access to renewable water supplies in this area.
- The WRRC annual conference, “Shared Borders, Shared Waters” is Tuesday, May 20 to Wednesday, May 21. For more information, send an email to Dr. Megdal at smegdal@arizona.edu.
Tom Brothen and Connie Kotke, members of the SaddleBrooke Public Affairs Commission are planning future workshops to help homeowners do their part to conserve our groundwater. Look for learning opportunities this fall on topics such as modifying your hardscape to capture and reuse water in your own yard… and landscape choices for low to no-water use.
