Rugged Individualist Utahns Want $2 Billion Pipeline So They Can Use 2X+ Water Tucson Residents Do

[hatrack]

There are cheaper, more efficient ways to meet the water needs of a growing population in Southern Utah than a pipeline from Lake Powell, argue the project’s opponents. The proposed Lake Powell pipeline would consist of about 140 miles of buried pipe which could bring up to 86,000 acre-feet of water from Lake Powell in Northern Arizona to Washington County in the southwestern corner of Utah. The pipeline would carry water from Utah’s share of the Upper Colorado River Basin Compact, a majority of which would go to the Washington County Water Conservancy District.

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The proposed Lake Powell pipeline project “is an unacceptable step backwards. Massive and expensive water projects that service a tiny fraction of people in Utah don’t make sense,” said Matt Rice, director of the Colorado River Basin Program for American Rivers. “We’re called now to be honest with ourselves about the realities of water availability in the face of climate change.” The report notes that municipal water use in Washington County is 300 gallons per-capita, more than double compared to Tucson, Albuquerque and El Paso and is more than 40% higher than per capita use in the Las Vegas metropolitan area.

“Communities across the western U.S. from Tucson to Los Angeles to Las Vegas to Denver have found effective ways to adapt urban landscapes to local climate conditions and available water supplies,” the report reads. “All of these communities have thriving landscapes, multiple-golf courses, and millions of visitors each year. All of these communities use substantially less water per capita than Washington County.” The Southern Nevada Water Authority serves nearly 2.3 million and spends $7.00 per capita on conservation efforts, by contrast the Washington County water district serves about 153,000 and spends less than $4.00 per capita on conservation.

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Charging higher rates on excessive water use would also lower water demand, the report says. Comparing monthly water bills for customers, the analysis found that Washington County water users pay significantly less for high levels of use compared to other parts of the southwest. For example, a home in St. George, Utah using 40,000 gallons could expect a water bill of less than $100. The exact same use in Las Vegas would cost about $154, and a customer in El Paso, TX would pay about $365, according to the report’s analysis.

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https://www.nevadacurrent.com/2021/08/03/utahans-seeking-lake-powell-pipeline-already-use-too-much-water-critics-say/

[brewens]

1. We're doing so much shit that is obviously unsustainable. What if we're starting a really long

severe draught? It wouldn't have to be because of man made climate change either. We have proof there have been draughts in the west that went on 25-50 years and longer.

It's been ten years here in north central Idaho since we had what we used to think was a normal summer. It rained for a couple days at a time in June, July and August after a fairly wet spring. That one was after a couple years of crappy smoky Augusts though.

I wouldn't suggest buying property and building a cabin in these parts any time soon. My sister and BIL have a place in the woods with a shelter for their RV. They got everything out of there on short notice. A lot of people around here play in the woods for all of their recreation. A couple reservoirs are almost worthless from being drawn down so far, and that's happened more years than not recently. You don't even really want to bring up if this is the new normal around these people. Them'd be fightin' words with some.

[PortTack]

2. The drought in the SW is now 2 decades ongoing.

My daughter and family are in AZ...it’s a real worry. Pipelines to further drain already depleted reservoirs is pointless and furthers the illusion that nothing is changing.

It’s a desert! The ecosystem cannot support the current population even with mitigation. The entire SW should have been working on real solutions a decade ago.

[brewens]

4. I can't remember the details but Ken Burns The Dustbowl talked about the huge aquifer that

provides irrigation water to part of the southern plains. At the time that documentary came out he said it had about 15 years. If that's true, time is running out on it.

I wonder if they could let it go back to natural prairie and let the Native Americans run it like a huge buffalo ranch? Once nothing else will grow there.

[NNadir]

5. It's the Ogallala and it's one of the least discussed crises facing...

...our country. It's basically fossil fresh water that's been strip mined.

[Chainfire]

3. How smart is it to become dependent upon a water source 140 miles away?

Building the pipeline will encourage growth and hinder conservation efforts. It is akin to buying everything on credit; when the bills come due, and they will come due, you don't have the resources to pay.