Local opinion: Southern Arizona’s water security depends on long-term funding, collaboration

The following is the opinion and analysis of the writers:

As we move closer to the deadline for determining how water from the Colorado River will be divided among Colorado River Basin states, Tribal Nations, and Mexico, Arizona’s future share of the river remains uncertain. But one thing is clear: no matter what happens with guidelines overseeing the river, we must find ways to improve the health of our water supplies and use them as wisely as possible.

That requires committing now to strategies that conserve the water we have today, while also protecting the land and water we need for the future.

In 2020, the Bighorn Fire north of Tucson burned nearly 120,000 acres in the Coronado National Forest. Flames swooped down and consumed much of the Santa Catalina mountains while threatening hundreds of homes. While we know some wildfire is inevitable, the destruction caused by Bighorn Fire was significantly exacerbated by the growth of buffelgrass–an invasive, non-native plant that has become prolific in southern Arizona.

Buffelgrass burns almost three times hotter than native vegetation and allows fires to spread more quickly. Its growth not only increases damage from fires, it also impacts water sustainability and reliability for the local community. Burned areas are more susceptible to flooding and subsequent erosion that clogs creeks and arroyos with ash and sediment, degrading the health of the watershed and altering natural hydrologic processes. This includes impacts to groundwater infiltration near the base of the Santa Catalinas, which helps feed the Rillito and Santa Cruz Rivers.

Eliminating buffelgrass from the Santa Catalina Mountains is a labor intensive and costly process that is only possible through extensive collaboration. This includes partnerships among the National Forest Foundation, Coronado National Forest, and Friends of Sabino Canyon along with funding from Cobblestone Homeowners Association, the Arizona Game and Fish Department, the Department of Forestry and Fire Management.

Back to homepage

Subscriber Login

Keep reading with a digital access subscription.

Subscribe now

What started out as a few pilot projects has grown into an expansive program that protects Tucson and neighboring areas along with our unique local landscapes. Over the last three years more than 1,000 acres of buffelgrass has been successfully treated, with more than 1,100 additional acres scheduled for treatment in 2026.

In addition to protecting our watersheds to reduce fire risk and improve water sustainability, we also need to innovate to stretch our existing water supplies.

That is why Metro Water District’s Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) project is converting residential, commercial, and irrigation water meters so customers can view their water usage on an hourly basis through the WaterSmart web portal.

In addition to helping residents understand and adapt their water use, the AMI system provides early alerts if there is a water leak. When a customer’s water use does not periodically drop to zero, a notification of a possible leak is sent to them through email, text, or on the web portal. Before this system was in place, customers might only become aware of a possible leak if the constant water use was high enough to trigger a high use inquiry from Metro Water District staff, or when they reviewed their monthly water bill. By then the leak may have already caused significant waste and unexpected costs.

Over 11,000 existing water meters for residential, commercial, and irrigation customers are being replaced with this innovative technology. Based on results seen in other areas throughout the U.S., the anticipated water savings could exceed 300 million gallons of water per year. This is equivalent to more than 450 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

This project is possible thanks to strategic state and federal investments. Specifically, a $3 million water conservation grant from the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona and $2 million from the Bureau of Reclamation’s WaterSMART program. These funds are designed to improve water quality, water efficiency, and make use more resilient to drought.

There is no quick or simple solution that will create water security for Arizona. Long-term investments and commitments from federal, state, local, corporate, and philanthropic sources are increasingly necessary so that we can put projects in place that allow us to sustain our water supplies and watersheds. Innovation and collaboration is required now more than ever to ensure our collective water future.