Monday, Aug 27 2012 3:52PM
To ensure water from the Colorado River is being distributed properly, a number of laws and regulations have been enforced throughout the last couple of decades. However, the demand for water has shifted while allowances remain unchanged.
To ensure water from the Colorado River is distributed properly, a number of laws and regulations have been enforced throughout the last couple of decades. However, the demand for water has shifted while allowances remain unchanged.
The Cronkite News Service reports that Arizona used 99 percent of its allocated 2.8 million acre-feet of water for businesses, crops, homes and recreation in 2011, while some tribes throughout the state still lack an adequate water supply. The news source notes controversy has risen from a new proposal to allocate 20,000 acre-feet of water from the Colorado River to the Hopi and Navajo tribes, meaning the state is nearly reaching its limit.
Water is necessary for residents and farmers who rely on this resource. While the main industry in the area is tourism, those living in rural communities may suffer if allocations aren't adjusted or an alternative water source is not provided.
"If it wasn't for water in this area, they wouldn't be farming here," Ed Carpenter, manager at the Yuma County Water Users' Association, told the paper. "So here, water is everything."
For further information, check out this source:
Cronkite News Service