AZ Feels Ripple Effect of California's Water Saving Rules

California's consideration of adopting statewide water use standards for washing machines may be a good water conservation deed, but it may be a deed with unwanted consequences to neighboring states. Manufacturers of non-compliance machines may attempt to dump their products on growth market areas of nearby states.

"And guess what. That's us," says Tom Babcock, Phoenix Water Conservation Coordinator He fears the effect that such a California decision will have on Arizona's water conservation efforts.

Babcock's concern arises from experience with a previous California water saving strategy. California was in the vanguard in regulating flush standards for toilets, first adopting a 3.5 gallons-per-flush standard, then in about 1990 a 1.6 GPF. California was the first state in the nation to set these standards.

Manufacturers initially resisted the new standards since their enforcement would require that toilet makers reengineer their product to meet the stricter standards.

Babcock says, "Lots of manufactures got caught flatfooted because they ended up with products in warehouses that could not be sold in California which is a huge market area. As a result they transshipped their products to the closest growth markets which were Southern Nevada and Arizona."

When the 1.6 GPF toilets became law in California a large stock of 3.5 GPF toilets came on the Arizona market at very low prices.

Babcock says, "We were pushing for the 1.6 standard in Arizona. But builders would say they could buy a 3.5 GPF for $30 so why pay $100 for a 1.6 GPF."

Babcock says his concern is that California will continue to officially adopt appliances as they become more water efficient, with the result that manufactures are going to end up with large inventories they can't sell in the state and will move them for sale in Arizona.

The solution is either to get each state or the federal government to adopt uniform standards for water-using appliances such as washing machines.

Babcock says, "We did the state-by-state approach with toilets with mixed results. States might adopt a standard but it is almost impossible for the state to enforce it. Someone can always import a product from another state and install it."

He says the preferred solution to the problem of non-compliance products is to have the federal government adopt uniform standards. Then the importation and interstate transit of the product can be controlled.

The issue is on the agenda of the next meeting of the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association Conservation Committee. Babcock also is considering encouraging the American Water Works Association Conservation Division to address the concern at its February meeting in Fort Lauderdale.

Water Management an Issue as AZ Rural Population Grows

Wickenburg street scene in Rural Arizona. (Photo: J. Brooks)

In what is a demographic development with water resource implications, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that Arizona's rural population has greatly increased during the past year. This further fuels the ongoing debate about the state's need to encourage water management in rural areas.

The bureau reports that since the April 2000 census Arizona has grown by more than 325,000 people. Areas of fastest growth include, not surprisingly, Maricopa County, but also three rural counties, Santa Cruz, Pinal and Yavapai counties. The bureau reports that all these areas are growing at about the same rate, about 3 percent.

Officials report that much of the growth in Yavapai County is due to an influx of retirees. Pinal County's population is increasing from population overflow from Maricopa and Pima counties.

In Arizona, urban water affairs have been an official priority, and many observers believe that rural water issues are due, if not overdue, for some attention. In response, the Arizona Department of Water Resources has initiated a Rural Water Resources Study program that, among other objectives, will research the availability of water resources in rural areas. (See page 9 for discussion of DWR's Rural Water Resources Study program.)

Continued population growth in rural areas of the state is expected.

Awards Available to AZ Water Resource Students

Papers are being accepted for the first annual Central Arizona Project Award for Research, with a $1000 award to go to a graduate student and a $500 award to an undergraduate. Submitted papers should focus specifically on water issues affecting Central and Southern Arizona and the Colorado River. Focus areas can include legal, economic, political, environmental or water management issues. Students at any Arizona college or university are eligible. Students should submit a one-page abstract to vcampo@cap-az.com by May 23. For additional information check the CAP web site: http://www.cap-az.com/ and click under "CAP Award" under Public Information.

The Arizona Hydrological Society also is recognizing student achievement by awarding three $1,5000 student scholarships in 2003. The purpose of the award is to encourage full-time students in hydrology, hydrogeology or any other water resources related fields at any Arizona university to excel in their area of study. Any junior, senior or graduate student who fits this category is qualified to apply for the scholarship. Scholarship applications must be submitted to Dr. Aregai Tecle, Northern Arizona University, School of Forestry, by June 30. Check the Arizona Hydrological Society web site for additional information: www.azhydrosoc.org