Tucson’s One Water Plan in action

In a significant step towards sustainable water management, the City of Tucson has made remarkable strides with its One Water Plan, a comprehensive long-range water resource management strategy designed to protect the reliability and quality of Tucson’s water supply through the year 2100. Approved by Tucson’s mayor and council in the fall of 2023, this plan represents a collaborative effort involving extensive community engagement and public meetings to confirm diverse voices were heard.

Building a sustainable oasis with the One Water approach

Tucson’s One Water approach centers on four essential water types: surface water, groundwater, recycled water, and stormwater. It features 16 strategies and 68 actionable items aimed at safeguarding Tucson’s water supply in the face of a changing environment by emphasizing a holistic and unified approach that prioritizes sustainability and equity.

Its core principles recognize that all water has value and advocate for using the right water for the right purpose. Crucial aspects of this approach are demand management and conservation, which are essential to maintaining water availability and quality.

As 2023 marks the first reporting year for the One Water Plan, Tucson Water is excited to share its progress and the steps taken toward implementing its strategies. Through innovative scenario planning, Tucson is working to mitigate the risks of a “thirsty desert future” while fostering conditions that support a sustainable oasis.

Funding to enhance Tucson’s water resources

Major financial milestones in 2023 secured essential funding for Tucson’s water initiatives.

The power of collaboration in water stewardship

The tremendous success of the One Water Plan was further highlighted during the 1W2100 summit held in Tucson in November 2023. This event brought together community members and agencies, showcasing the power of collaboration and engagement in water stewardship. The City of Tucson remains committed to delivering a reliable and sustainable water future for all of its residents through continued public participation and proactive planning.

Significant water developments in Tucson

Surface Water Initiatives

• Safeguarding Deliveries: Designs for upgrades to Tucson Water’s Central Avra Valley Storage and Recovery Project (CAVSARP) have been finalized. As the older of two major aquifer recharge and recovery facilities using Central Arizona Project (CAP) water, CAVSARP’s enhancements will support the delivery of 98,670 acre-feet of Colorado River water.

Groundwater Projects

• Restoring Local Supplies: The Tucson Airport Remediation Project (TARP) has made strides by connecting to the Santa Cruz River and the reclaimed water distribution system, delivering up to 7,000 acre-feet of treated groundwater for multiple uses.
  
• Implementing PFAS Treatment: The TARP per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) ion exchange treatment facility design is complete, and construction is getting underway. In addition, the Central Tucson PFAS project treated 308 acre-feet of groundwater in 2023.

Reclaimed Water Advancements

• Increasing Beneficial Use: Tucson is planning a demonstration-scale advanced water purification project and will collaborate with ADEQ on rule-making processes, while the Northwest Reclaimed System Augmentation Project will enhance supply by adding reclaimed water from Pima County’s Tres Rios Water Reclamation Facility to Tucson Water’s reclaimed water distribution system for the first time.

Stormwater Management

• Mitigating Local Flooding: New stormwater parks, such as El Vado Stormwater Park, with a 402,511-gallon capacity, have been established, along with other projects to improve local infrastructure.

Demand Management Efforts

• Advancing Water Stewardship: Initiatives such as advanced metering infrastructure for leak detection and turf replacement rebate programs are promoting conservation and equity among Tucson residents.