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Situational Analysis:

Historic uses of water and new demands for water have created changes to the conditions of the water resources of the region. Water levels have declined in some local aquifers, pointing to a change in the water resource system. Yavapai County communities have worked together to promote and fund studies, and develop water resource management tools such as numerical models. Studies are underway to determine if additional water supplies are needed. Any newly developed supplies will likely be more expensive than existing supplies. Communities will need to continue to seek and implement water conservation measures. Committee resources will be required to improve data sets as well as develop, refine, understand and encourage the use of management tools. To ensure the good health of our surface water, groundwater and economic systems, it is imperative that measures continue toward a better understanding and management of the water resources in the County.

Critical Planning Assumptions:

The factors and events likely to occur with a high degree of probability in the near future:

1. Growth (and demand for water) will continue.
2. Additional or new water supplies will be needed for the Yavapai County region.
3. Communities represented by committee members will move forward with water acquisition & infrastructure projects independently and as a region.
4. All projects will be evaluated for effects on surface water and groundwater.
5. Hydrologic and other scientific studies will continue to advance and be updated. All studies will be evaluated and utilized to inform resource management.
6. New legislation, water law and the regulatory framework of water management will play a very significant role in the development of water resources.
7. Innovative solutions to address conservation and management of water resources will be pursued through legislative and other avenues.
8. Groundwater development will continue within the region.

Key Objectives:

1. Identify and promote Yavapai County regional water management and conservation strategies that ensure sustainable use of water supplies, enhance economic vitality and that protect the base flows of the County’s rivers and streams.
2. Maintain strong communication links among federal, tribal, state, county, local government, individual citizens and all other stakeholders.
3. Promote education regarding water resource knowledge and promote informed use of water resource studies and planning tools.
4. Monitor and analyze enabling legislation that will provide a local basis for management of water resources.

Tactics:

For Objective 1: Identify and promote Yavapai County regional water management and conservation strategies that ensure sustainable use of water supplies, enhance economic vitality and that protect the base flows of the County’s rivers and streams.

1. Continue to inventory and update existing water uses (municipal, private, tribal and downstream).
2. Understand water rights and claims to the extent currently available.
3. Inventory relevant existing scientific studies (e.g. surface water, groundwater and effluent).
4. Utilize and integrate work products produced by studies by WAC and others.
5. Allow knowledge of the water resource to drive the water management strategy.
6. Utilize subcommittees as needed to address specific issues such as, but not limited to, conservation and education issues.
7. Support and promote water conservation strategies for communities based on regionally consistent programs (e.g. Water Smart)
8. Seek and recommend appropriate new technologies that can be implemented by member communities.

For Objective 2: Maintain strong communication links among federal, tribal, state, county, local government, individual citizens and all other stakeholders.

1. Promote trust through open communication with cities, towns and stakeholders.
2. Maintain timely reporting to the member entities.
3. Provide opportunities for representation and presentations from regulatory agencies and stakeholders.
4. Participate in local, state, and federal water policy issues that impact our ability to manage regional water resources.

For Objective 3: Promote education regarding water resource knowledge and promote informed use of water resource studies and planning tools.

1. Maintain presentations to councils and other organizations
2. Produce “Issue Papers” to help understand and explain water resource information.
3. Create WAC member information packets to include information on the WAC organization as well as studies and existing knowledge.
4. Identify new technology that could benefit water resource management and further the WAC mission.
5. Promote opportunities for county residents to learn about water resources in their area, including possible future actions and conditions.
6. Continue support for water education for all age groups.

For Objective 4: Monitor and analyze enabling legislation that will provide a local basis for management of water resources.

1. Keep current on legislative and regulatory issues through regular reporting and updates.
2. Monitor and analyze potential effects of legislation and regulatory issues.
3. Communicate results of committee discussion to member communities.
4. Discuss and study ideas that could benefit the region.