Water in the desert nourishes mistrust as well as life.

Pima County officials Tuesday heard that lack of trust from several members of the public regarding the future of a regional water supply and a joint county-city plan for an advisory committee to formulate policies on future water demand and uses.

The Pima County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 to approve the formation of such a committee, which will consist of members of a jointly appointed City Water Advisory Committee, Wastewater Management Advisory Committee, and city and county planing commissions.

The board majority rejected requests to delay the action to allow the public more time to learn about and comment on the plan.

“I’m waiting for that to happen,” Debbie Collazo said to the supervisors during a public hearing before a vote was taken.

One concern voiced to the board was whether the public, potentially affected regional jurisdictions and small, private water companies will see their interests fairly represented.

Or whether the county and city will dominate regional water policies in the future.

That issue was raised by the Southern Arizona Leadership Council last month.

The organization’s members believe that only a regional, inclusive and open approach to managing water resources will result in the best possible plan for the Tucson region’s water future, a Feb. 19 letter to county officials said.

County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry told supervisors the committee initially will work on a first phase of a long-term process that will involve an assessment of existing information on water resources, including treated wastewater – effluent.

A second phase will explore the formulation of policies for regionwide resource development, conservation of groundwater, drought management policies and increased use of effluent.

How effluent will be used also drew concerns from speakers Tuesday – specifically, whether many area residents will someday be drinking tap water mixed with effluent.

Board Chairman Richard Elías said that is not a consideration and that he would never support using effluent in drinking water supplies.

“We are asking today for the smaller water companies, the jurisdictions, to do the same” studies that will help facilitate regional cooperation for future water policies.

Supervisor Ray Carroll sought a 60-day delay in approval of the joint county-city committee.

The slumping real estate and housing markets are unlikely to quickly rebound, Carroll said, arguing for more time for public input and better communications between the county and city and neighboring towns.

Without consensus among all stakeholders – including the public – from the start, suspicions will linger that the city and county intend to eventually dominate water policy in the region, Carroll said.

“If you’re not seated at the table, you’re part of the menu,” Carroll said before casting his dissenting vote.

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