O R O VA L L E Y W AT E R U T I L I TY N E W S L E T T E R
SPRING 2024
A MESSAGE FROM OUR DIRECTOR There have been some important changes with respect to water resources availability as well as water quality regulation changes for the first quarter of 2024.
Peter Abraham, P.E. Water Utility Director
With respect to water resource availability, for 2024, the Federal Bureau of Reclamation declared a Tier 1 water shortage for many Colorado River Water users including Arizona. A Tier 1 water shortage means Arizona will have access to slightly more Colorado River water in 2024 than under last year’s tier 2a Shortage. The improvement is due to a combination of improved hydrology of the Colorado River headwaters in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains as well as incentivized conservation.
For 2024, Oro Valley will not see any reduction in Colorado River water deliveries, but we can expect a reduction in deliveries in future years. Fortunately, the conservation ethic of our residents will allow the Water Utility to meet the water resource needs of the community for the foreseeable future.
12,000 10,000 ACRE FEET
The graph shown exemplifies the conservation ethic of our residents. Our overall consumption of water resources is about the same as it was in 2000, yet our population has grown from nearly 33,000 residents in 2000 to nearly 48,000 residents 23-years later.
ANNUAL COMPARISON OF WATER RESOURCE USAGE
8,000 6,000 4,000 2,000
With respect to water quality regulation changes the United States 0 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced regulations 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 2019 2021 2023 for Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in water systems often called Groundwater CAP Water Reclaimed “forever chemicals”. The Water Utility tested for PFAS in 2015 as required by the EPA’s Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 3 (UCMR). The analysis was below any detection level for PFAS, and no further action was or is required. In February of 2024, the Water Utility began monitoring for PFAS under the UCMR 5 rules. Again, the analysis is below the detection level for PFAS, and no further action is required. The Water Utility will conduct additional testing in August per the UCMR 5 rules. Results will be provided in the 2024 Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) that will be published by June of 2025. Looking forward,
Peter Abraham
Peter A. Abraham, P.E. | Water Utility Director
The Water Utility continues to provide water that meets or exceeds all local, state and federal regulations to our customers. The Water Utility publishes the annual CCR that reports all constituents that have been detected. The reports are available online. Scan the QR code or visit: https://www.orovalleyaz.gov/Government/Departments/ Water-Utility/Water-Quality#section-1
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