Where does Phoenix get its water supply from?

Question

and is there a possibilty the water may run out, since its located in an arid location?

Answer 1

The majority of water comes from the Salt River Project...a series of six reservoirs and related canal systems which get water from the Salt, Verde, and Gila Rivers. Additional water comes from the Colorado River via a canal. Phoenix also gets water from underground aquifers.

Despite the fearmongering, desert cities are not really in danger of actually running out of water. Not that their aren't problems, but the main impact is to the environment...pumping ground water and taking from the rivers leaves less for the environment. As for ground water, that is actually very plentiful...you would be amazed how much water is underground in the desert. Beneath the city of Tucson is an aquifer of water that is 5000 feet deep!! (We have taken about 200 feet of it so far.) Because of that, we actually have more water available to us than most cities east of the Mississippi, which primarily rely on surface water. Water is also dirt cheap (sic) out here...though water bills can be high if you have a lot of landscaping (lawns) to water, just because it takes a lot more water. (My average water bill is $40-$45...and that includes sewage service and a $14 garbage pickup fee.)

Still, the environmental issues are important, and water issues are often a hot political topic. We really should be building a pipeline to the ocean (Gulf of California) and start using desalinated water. Yeah, can you imagine that. we'd be drinking Mexican water. LOL "Yeah, Arizona is a great place to visit, just don't drink the water!"

Answer 2

Phoenix Water Supply Source

Answer 3

Salt River Project has been around for over a hundred years. They get the water from several sources, mainly the Colorado River and yes it can run out. The Colorado River flowed all the way to the sea year round up to about a hundred years ago when they started building the dams in the South West. Now most of that water goes of to evaporation. For now there is plenty of water but one must keep in mind that Maricopa County is the fasted growing county in the United States. It IS only a matter of time.

There are several other rivers that go through the Vally of the Sun that water is taken from as well as wells all over the place. The well water is not very safe to drink for some folks so we do have to be careful.

Answer 4

There is a reason that water rights disputes in the southwestern states are still a big deal!! There is some law that says that before new builds happen (housing communities), there has to be proof that there is water to sustain them. Sometimes I wonder though... Phoenix seems to be hooked on green grass. I love the green but it is a desert! Tucson is a little more "earthy" and they have much more desert landscape.

What I've wondered is if the use of underground aquafers without significant rain to recharge them has caused any of the city to sink?

Answer 5

I'm from the mountains of NH and sometimes wish it would stop raining during the summer from all the regular rain but also the abundant thunderstorms. We have a lot less snow during the winter then I remember when we were young. We just moved to AZ. beautiful, but the lack of water worries us. Is there a reason to worry, we're in Phoenix

Answer 6

Our water comes from the Salt, Verde and Colorado rivers. As long as they keep having plenty of rain and snow north of us, the water will keep flowing down.

Answer 7

I believe it's from the Colorado River Don't know about it running out, but it also feeds Southern California...

Answer 8

Colorado river. This river no longer reaches its delta at the Gulf of California.

Answer 9

colorado river, snow melt from north to, verdy river, agua fria river, skunk creek, and well to under ground water table.

Answer 10

It rained plenty last week, too. So we should be okay for the rest of the year.