Why does Arizona push water conservation?

Phoenix says the majority of its supply comes from rivers and canals fed by snowmelt in higher-elevation areas. That means the water you drink was, not long ago, snow in a mountain range far from the Valley.

The city describes a mix of sources. It says its current sources include surface water from regional and local sources, groundwater and reclaimed water, and that it relies on surface water for nearly 98 percent of citywide drinking water deliveries. About 40 percent of current Phoenix drinking supply is delivered through the Central Arizona Project canal system, which carries Colorado River water. The Colorado River watershed covers all or parts of seven states (Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Nevada, California and Arizona) and the country of Mexico, according to the city.

That last fact matters. Phoenix does not control the Colorado River. Many people and places share it, and its flow depends on snow and rain far away. When a source you do not control gets tighter, the part you do control, how much you use, becomes more important.

### How big is the system?

Big enough that small savings add up. The city says Phoenix Water is one of the largest utilities in the country, serving more than 1.7 million customers with 7,000 miles of water lines, 5,000 miles of sewer lines and eight treatment plants over a 540 square-mile service area. It also says the city began municipal water operations in 1907 and built Arizona's first surface water treatment plant in 1949. In other words, the Valley has been planning for water for well over a century. Conservation is the latest chapter, not a new idea. When each of 1.7 million customers trims a little, the total is large. When each of them leaks a little, the total is large in the other direction.

The city says long-term drought and climate change have challenged its source water environments and are negatively affecting availability. Phoenix says it actively plans, invests and adapts to ensure reliable water for residents today and into the future.

The city's drought page describes an active Drought Management Plan. When this page was checked, it said a Stage 1 Water Alert was in effect, and that Stage 1 means an insufficient water supply situation appears likely. The city says Stage 1 involves public education and conservation programming, and enforcement of the water-related provisions in Chapter 37 (Water) of the Phoenix City Code. Stages can change, so read the current drought page before you plan around them.

There is also good news, and Phoenix states it plainly. The State of Arizona has designated Phoenix as having a 100-year assured water supply, which the city calls an important marker of reliability. Through planned infrastructure to treat and deliver renewable surface water, the city says it has reduced its reliance on groundwater to a minimum, creating a reserve it can call on during times of drought. The city also says water resilience depends on everyone and requires action across the whole community.

Put another way, Phoenix is describing two things at once. The supply is currently secure, and the conditions behind it are getting harder. Both statements come from the city, and both are why conservation continues even in a year when the taps run fine.

So the push for conservation is not a sign that Phoenix is about to run dry. It is a way to keep a reliable supply reliable when the sources behind it are under pressure.

Because that is where the water goes. EPA says outdoor water use accounts for more than 30 percent of total household water use on average, and can be as much as 60 percent in arid regions. Arizona is an arid region. That is why so much conservation guidance focuses on turf, irrigation timers and desert-adapted plants.

Indoors, fixtures are the target. EPA says each American uses an average of 82 gallons of water a day at home, and that we can all use at least 20 percent less by installing water-efficient fixtures and appliances. WaterSense labeled products are 20 percent more water-efficient than standard models and perform as well or better. The Arizona rules on which fixtures you can install are covered on our low-flow fixture requirements in Arizona page.

EPA also cites a 2014 Government Accountability Office report that found 40 out of 50 state water managers expected water shortages under average conditions in some portion of their states over the next decade. That statistic is from EPA's page and dates to 2014, so treat it as a sign of a national trend, not a forecast for your street.

You see it in several ways:

• Rules. The city enforces water provisions in its code, and drought stages can bring more of them. Our Phoenix water restrictions page explains what applies to residents.
• Programs and rebates. Phoenix Water Services lists free efficiency consultations, a free Water-Wise Kit, conservation incentives, a leak-finding guide and a plant list for the Arizona desert on its Save Water page. See Phoenix water-saving rebates.
• Your bill. Less water used means a lower bill. Our how to reduce a water bill in Phoenix page shows where the biggest savings are.
• Leaks. The city says the average household loses more than 10,000 gallons of water each year through leaks, and EPA says the average household's leaks can waste more than 9,300 gallons a year. A hidden leak is the most avoidable kind of waste. See how to do a water meter leak test.

Focus on the items with the biggest effect. Fix leaks first. Trim outdoor watering next, and check that your irrigation system is not spraying pavement or leaking underground. Then replace old toilets and showerheads with WaterSense labeled models, and take a look at your habits. Those steps match the priorities Phoenix and EPA both point to.

One more habit worth building is checking your own meter. It is free, it takes a couple of minutes, and it tells you whether your home is part of the problem. A household that has fixed its leaks and trimmed its watering has done its share, and it usually sees the result on the bill.

A last point, since this is a plumbing page: conservation does not have to mean living with weak pressure or a fixture that does not work. Modern WaterSense products are designed to perform as well as or better than standard models. If a fixture is failing, or a leak keeps returning, have a licensed plumber look at it. HQ Plumbing & Air is licensed and insured, gives free estimates and upfront pricing, and answers 24/7. For the indoor side, see how to conserve water inside your home.