Reviving the River

Monday, June 24th was a day to celebrate the sight and sound of water flowing down the Santa Cruz River on a hot and cloudless day. Approximately 300 people joined Tucson Water to hear speeches, see flowing water, and help to celebrate the Santa Cruz River Heritage Project and its release of recycled water into the river just south of downtown Tucson. It was surprising to see how much water was released and we understand it has already made its way northward past St. Mary's Road. From a water resource perspective, this release represents a change in the way Tucson earns groundwater recharge credits from recycled water. Since the Arizona legislature approved the Drought Contingency Plan legislation, Tucson can receive credit for 95% of the 2.8 mgd released into the Santa Cruz by the Heritage Project, reviving the river and storing water for the future. We at the WRRC congratulate all those who helped make this happen.