WRRC Posts Updated Water & Sustainability Resources Page

A big part of the WRRC’s mission is to connect Arizonans with educational materials about the state’s water resources. Our website’s new Water & Sustainability Resources page has been redesigned to do just that, with new sections, streamlined resources, and an updated format.

Many organizations hold decision-making power over aspects of state water management, from federal agencies and Tribal governments to utilities. The page’s first tab, “Who Does What with Water in Arizona?” helps orient users in this landscape. It lists a selection of relevant federal, state, Tribal, county, and other entities, describes what they do, and provides links to more information about each.

The next tab, “Well Water Quality and Permitting,” is a one-stop-shop for users seeking to drill a well, improve a well’s water, or learn more about the many rules, regulations, and best practices governing Arizona well drilling and use. It also links to the Arizona Domestic Well Owner’s Toolkit, a WRRC publication that goes in-depth on everything from aquifer recharge to state groundwater law.

Information about water quality standards at the state and federal levels, along with guides for water testing and treatment, can be found under “Water Testing and Home Treatment.” For users who have a strong interest in learning more about water quality, there’s a link to the Maricopa Agricultural Extension Water Quality Program, which offers educational programming about clean water.

Water is a precious resource everywhere, but this is particularly true in the arid regions of Arizona. Under the “Water Harvesting” tab, we’ve compiled lists of organizations and educational resources that users can turn to if they want to put the rainwater that crosses their properties to sustainable use. Brad Lancaster’s website and book series “Rainwater Harvesting for the Drylands and Beyond” is particularly detailed.

Arizona is home to 22 federally recognized Tribes. Each of them is a sovereign nation that manages its own land—many also have departments for managing water and environmental health. The “Tribal Water Resources” tab lists each Tribal government and any water-specific government entities.

Researchers at the University of Arizona study water in many academic departments and centers. Under “University of Arizona Departments, Centers, and Programs,” there is a long list of the types of organizations and the subcategories of research being done about water at the University.

The “Other Resources” tab lists links that didn’t fit neatly into any of the above categories but were just too useful to leave out. There, you’ll find gardening resources, book chapters about the Arizona watershed, and the answers to any questions you may have about how golf courses water all that turf in the middle of a drought. Happy scrolling!