RIO VERDE FOOTHILLS, Ariz.
Water scarcity is a problem in many parts of the United States, but it is especially critical in the West. The city of Scottsdale has cut off water to some areas, resulting in a crisis in the foothills outside Phoenix. Families ration their water use, flushing toilets once a day and taking short, timed showers to conserve water. The scarcity of water in the West highlights the urgent need to reconfigure our water management systems.
Cheap water that was used to build the West is running out due to overuse and climate change aggravated droughts. California produces a large amount of almonds, which use approximately 3.2 gallons of water per almond. This illustrates how agricultural use is the largest consumer of water in the West, accounting for approximately 88 percent of water use in 17 Western states measured in a recent study, while only 7 percent is used by households.
While weather patterns may offer temporary reprieves from water scarcity, the West needs to develop a new water management system that prioritizes conservation and reallocation. Politicians face the difficult decision to make cuts to agricultural and other industries that use large amounts of water. Water trucks are now hauling water from much farther distances, and homeowners are paying exorbitant prices for the scarce resource.
The Colorado River, which supplies over one-third of Arizona’s water and substantial quantities for California, Nevada and other states, is running low. The Biden administration proposed evenly cutting allotments to California, Arizona, and Nevada, by up to one-quarter.
Water allocation in the West is a product of a first-come-first-served basis instead of being allocated by market price. This has resulted in a great disparity in the price of water between different areas. Fundamental changes to the water management system are necessary, including an increase in the cost of irrigation and water conservation measures. Rationing water by price would enable agricultural businesses to make choices based on economic rather than historical considerations. However, significant challenges remain as many farm families in the West have gone into debt to invest in growing large almond orchards.
Water scarcity has created many challenges for families who struggle to make ends meet while paying their water bills. Karen Nabity, who lives in the Rio Verde foothills, has had to cut her water usage to cope with rising costs. She says that filling her water tank is now three times as expensive as it was six months ago, and fears that prices could soar even higher. She collects all the water her family uses for washing their hands in a bucket to flush the toilet.
The shortage of water poses a significant risk for the West, as it becomes increasingly vulnerable to wildfires, which could lead to catastrophic losses if they occur. We should treat water as we treat air, recognizing its value and the need for careful management, and make rational decisions now to ensure adequate water supply for future generations.
