Drought questions and answers
SRP operates a water storage system that allows us to manage metropolitan Phoenix's limited water supply, even during drought periods. Below are some frequently asked questions about Arizona's drought situation:
A drought is a prolonged period of less-than-normal precipitation that impacts, or may impact, water supplies. Typically, drought also affects the health of vegetation (trees, grasslands, etc.) and wildlife within the area impacted by the dry conditions.
SRP and the Valley of the Sun is currently experiencing its longest drought on record (1996-2007). Prior to this, the longest drought on record in the last 100 years spanned nine consecutive years, which occurred at the turn of the twentieth century. Because SRP plans and operates its water storage system as if entering the drought of record every year, it's important that water professionals and residents cooperate to make sure available water resources are managed and used wisely.
Although the storage conditions of many reservoirs supplying water to central Arizona remain below normal, SRP reservoir storage conditions have improved considerably due to runoff conditions that occurred in 2005, and the purchase of excess CAP water since the drought started. As a result, the SRP Board of Governors has been able to maintain the water allocation at three acre-feet per acre.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), most of Arizona, as well as the entire Colorado River basin, is currently classified as having moderate to extreme drought conditions To look at NOAA drought related forecasts and information, check out the following web sites:
SRP is involved with several water conservation related activities that promote the need to conserve water. SRP is also active in underground water storage projects to save water for future needs.
Water conservation efforts
SRP has also joined with Valley cities in promoting water conservation workshops and symposiums and the "Water - Use It Wisely" campaign, sponsored a water-conservation effort designed for restaurants in Arizona, and reduced water consumption at its numerous facilities.
Underground water storage
To help ensure a reliable and adequate supply of water on a longer-term basis, SRP, several Valley cities, and others are partners in three underground water storage projects in the Valley, including the Granite Reef Underground Storage Project (GRUSP), which commenced operations in 1994; the SRP Groundwater Savings Facility (GSF), which started in 1996; and the New River-Agua Fria River Underground Storage Project (NAUSP), which commenced operations in 2006.
For more information on SRP water conservation and underground water storage related activities, please visit SRP Water Services.
SRP stores and delivers water to 10 cities in the Valley. Cities then treat and distribute the water to homes and businesses. SRP also provides groundwater and Central Arizona Project water, when
needed, to augment reservoir water deliveries.
Together, the cities and SRP partner in water recharge, water exchanges, and
water conservation programs to ensure the Valley receives a reliable supply of water.
For details, visit the following municipal Web sites:
Also see these Web sites:
The drought is affecting Arizona's environment in several ways:
Impact on forests: Long-term climate changes can cause water
stress on plants that have environmental impacts, such as the bark beetle infestations.
Bark beetles are no stranger to Arizona forests, but the drought has allowed them to
multiply in unprecedented numbers. Because of a tree's weakened state due to drought,
once the beetle has infested a tree the tree cannot defend against the beetles and the
tree dies. The bark beetle has destroyed over 700,000 acres of Ponderosa and Pinon Pines.
Endangerment of the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher habitat:
A small bird protected by the Endangered Species Act, the Southwestern willow flycatcher,
has begun to nest in areas normally underwater in SRP's reservoirs when it returns from
wintering in Central America.
In February 2003, SRP received a permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that allows SRP
to fill Roosevelt Lake, its largest reservoir. In return, the permit requires SRP to offset the
impacts of filling the reservoir on the flycatchers' habitat by purchasing habitat in other locations.
SRP has begun the process of applying for a federal permit at Horseshoe Lake as well.
In the interim, the Fish and Wildlife Service has given SRP permission to temporarily store
water in Horseshoe when the flycatchers are not in Arizona.
Wise planning for the use of alternate supplies, such as Central Arizona Project (CAP),
groundwater and reclaimed water, have added to the water resource portfolio mix and
have given SRP options in dealing with the inevitable desert dry spells.
Reclaimed water is highly treated wastewater that can be reused for purposes such as
turf irrigation (golf courses, parks) or as cooling water for power plants, as opposed to
using groundwater. SRP utilizes a water resource management technique, groundwater
recharge, to ensure reliable and adequate water resources are available for the future.
Recharge involves the storage of excess or surplus surface water in the underground aquifers.
In partnership with several metropolitan Phoenix cities, SRP operates and maintains the
Granite Reef Underground Storage Project (GRUSP),
one of the largest recharge projects in the U.S. GRUSP was completed in 1994 and stores
water such as CAP water on behalf of the state of Arizona and Valley cities for use in the
future when dry conditions prevail. SRP also operates the New River-Agua Fria River Underground Storage Project (NAUSP).
You can check levels for the lakes on the Salt and Verde rivers daily using our
daily water reports.
Here are several ways you can conserve water and still have attractive landscaping:
Use xeriscape landscaping.The term xeriscape is derived from the
Greek word xeros, which means dry. Xeriscape defined is, "creative landscaping for
water and energy efficiency." While many plants can grow in the Desert Southwest,
some are better suited to our hot, arid climate. Xeriscape is a way to provide horticultural
practices that are appropriate for our climate.
If you have flood irrigation, know the proper amount of water to order.
Know how much water you need to adequately water your lawn, and order no more than
this amount.
Following are reminders about your flood irrigation:
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Take irrigation water you ordered at the SRP scheduled time.
The only exceptions to the posted schedule are:
- An agreement between affected neighbors to trade or share scheduled water.
- Instruction by SRP to take water at other than your scheduled time
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Keep your yard valves or ports completely closed except during your scheduled delivery time.
- When water is ordered, it must be received.
- You must manage your irrigation water from the SRP delivery gate to your property during your entire scheduled delivery time.
- Control your irrigation and keep it from flooding city streets or neighbors' properties.
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Check your irrigation schedule online or on the posted sheet and make a note of your
delivery on and off times.
- Communicate with neighbors who will be irrigating before and after you.
- Keep ditches and pipes clean.
- Repair leaking valves and ports as soon as leaks are detected.
- Ask your neighbors for help and call SRP at (602) 236-3333 if you have a water emergency.
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Remember to keep berms in place and call Water Customer Services at (602) 236-3333
to turn the water off before it runs down the street. Do not attempt to turn the water
off yourself.
There are easy ways to conserve water. For water saving tips, visit our
water conservation page,
www.wateruseitwisely.com
or your local city's Web site.