AUDIO: Scottsdale asks residents to curb water use

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Scottsdale Water
  • Runtime: 1:56
  • Downloadable audio here. (Note: Some web browsers may not support media download

HOST INTRO: 

THE CITY OF SCOTTSDALE IS MAKING WATER CUTS TO REDUCE HOW MUCH WATER IS COMING OUT OF THE COLORADO RIVER.   CRONKITE NEWS REPORTER LUKE VICKERY EXPLAINS WHERE THE CUTS ARE COMING FROM AND WHO IS BEING MOST AFFECTED. 

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Luke  

SCOTTSDALE IS ONE OF THE FIRST CITIES TO DECIDE IT’S TIME TO MAKE WATER CUTS. IT RECEIVES ABOUT 70 PERCENT OF ITS WATER SUPPLY FROM THE COLORADO RIVER.  MOST RESIDENT WON’T  FEEL THE IMPACT OF THESE LATEST CUTS AT THEIR FAUCETS BUT BRIAN BIESMEYER – THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SCOTTSDALE WATER – SAYS THE CITY IS ASKING RESIDENTS TO CONSERVE ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO OUTDOOR USAGE. 

<sot BRIAN BIESEMEYER/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,  SCOTTSDALE WATER MANAGEMENT/runs :12 hits xx-xx >

“Let our residents know that it’s a serious situation. We have enough water for our residents, but we really wanted them to understand the serious nature of the Colorado River cutbacks. 

THE SERIOUSNESS OF A DECADES LONG  DROUGHT DOES NOT JUST EXTEND TO PEOPLE LIVING IN SCOTTSDALE. RESIDENTS LIVING OUTSIDE THE CITY CAN ALSO BE AFFECTED DEPENDING ON WHAT KIND OF WATER SYSTEMS ARE USED ON THEIR PROPERTY. 

<sot – MEREDITH DEANGLIS, RIO VERDE FOOTHILLS RESIDENT/runs :03 hits xx-xx >

“Couldn’t imagine not having water to our home.”

FOR THE PAST DECADE MEREDITH DEANGLIS SERVICED HER HOME WITH HAULED WATER FROM SCOTTSDALE.

<sot – MEREDITH DEANGLIS, RIO VERDE FOOTHILLS RESIDENT/runs :12 hits xx-xx >

“As you can see behind me, I have hauled water out here so a truck comes and delivers our water, currently getting it from the city of scottsdale. Then they fill our water tank.”

BUT AS PART OF THE TIER ONE WATER SHORTAGE STAGE THE CITY RECENTLY DECIDED THEY WILL NO LONGER SERVICE WATER HAULING IN HER AREA… LEAVING DEANGLIS IN NEED OF A QUICK SOLUTION. 

<sot – MEREDITH DEANGLIS, RIO VERDE FOOTHILLS RESIDENT/runs :04 hits xx-xx >

“This neighborhood is just a glimpse of what’s to come for the rest of the state.”

BIESEMEYER SAYS THE CITY ITSELF IS KEEPING ITS PROMISE TO CUT BACK ON ITS OWN WATER USAGE.

<sot BRIAN BIESEMEYER/DIRECTOR OF WATER MANAGEMENT/runs :05 hits xx-xx >

“Tried to up our own game with a pledge of saving 5 percent at city facilities as well.” 

BUT THE CITY CAN’T DO IT ALONE. THEY ARE ALSO ASKING RESIDENTS TO DO THEIR PART IN BETTER MANAGING THEIR PERSONAL WATER USAGE.

ONE WAY PEOPLE CAN DO THAT IS BY CHANGING THE LANDSCAPE TO XERISCAPING, WHICH REQUIRES LITTLE TO NO IRRIGATION. SOMETHING DEANGLIS IS ALREADY DOING…

<sot – MEREDITH DEANGLIS, RIO VERDE FOOTHILLS RESIDENT/runs :12 hits xx-xx >

“Making sure that people just have desert landscapes and aren’t watering big yards and grass and thinking what we are doing with golf courses and all of those things we’re going to have to get really creative to conserve water.”

SCOTTSDALE MAY BE THE FIRST CITY IN MARICOPA COUNTY TO IMPLEMENT A  TIER ONE WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN, BUT IF THE DROUGHT CONTINUES MORE CITIES COULD FACE SIMILAR CUTS.

LUKE VICKERY CRONKITE NEWS.

LUKE TAG

THE CITY OF SCOTTSDALE HAS ONLY IMPLEMENTED TIER ONE OF THEIR DROUGHT MANAGEMENT PLAN, BUT IF THE COLORADO RIVER DROPS IN THE NEXT YEAR, LIKE IT IS PROJECTED, THE CITY AND RESIDENTS MAY BE MAKING MORE CUTS.