What we want is not complicated, but it may come with sacrifice. If we, as communities of McMullen Valley, could negotiate a solution where we can achieve sustainability then this could be a win for everyone involved. Here’s what that means.
McMullen Valley is currently running a water deficit of 44,377 acre feet per year. That means that we use that amount over and above the amount of water that is recharged into the aquifer annually. According to ADWR, we have 1.3 million acre feet left in the aquifer until we reach the average well depth of 572 feet.
WAM estimates that there are 3 million acre feet until we hit the 1,200 foot level. Before the changes that WAM made in the farming we were using about 59,000 acre feet per year. With significant reductions in agricultural usage and still accommodating the transfer of water, we could achieve stasis. Meaning that the water transferred and the water used equals the amount of the current water recharge of about 9,000 acre feet per year, then we would have water for all forever! That’s the goal!
I wonder if WAM will come to the table and consider this. If they do, it will mean that they really do care about the communities in McMullen Valley.
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