Tucson Water continues to move forward with implementation of the 2011-2015 Action Plan for Water Sustainability.

This plan was developed jointly by the City of Tucson and Pima County, along with significant community input. A goal of the plan is to identify a variety of policy issues related to long-term water and wastewater management, and to undertake tasks to address them in a viable manner.

One of the policy outcomes of the City/County Water and Wastewater Study was the City’s formal adoption of a Water Service Area Policy in August of 2010. The Water Service Area Policy establishes a water service boundary for Tucson Water based on economic, social and environmental considerations as recommended in the Study.

The City is in the process of conducting its first annual review of the Policy, as called for in the adopted ordinance, to determine if refinements to the Policy are needed. City staff and Tucson Water’s Citizens Water Advisory Committee (CWAC) are requesting public and stakeholder comment as part of this review process.

Comments may be provided in the following ways:

Visit the web page to review information on the Water Service Area Policy and submit your comments electronically.

Public Meetings: Attend either of two public meetings planning to hear a presentation on the Policy, ask questions of staff, and provide comments about the Policy.

Thursday, October 20
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Ward 6 Council Office Conference Room
3202 E. 1st Street

OR

Monday, October 24
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Mesquite Room at ReidPark
900 S. Randolph Way

The public comment period extends through Friday, November 11, 2011. During November, CWAC will consider potential refinements to the Policy, with draft recommendations expected in December or January.

Tucson Water continues to provide information to its customers about the compound 1,4-dioxane, found in low levels in groundwater being treated at the Tucson Airport Remediation Project (TARP).

Tucson Water has mailed an information packet to about 40,000 customers who live in the area where water from the TARP facility is delivered. A letter explains that water delivered to the area meets or exceeds all federal drinking water standards and is safe for drinking, cooking, and bathing. A brief informational pamphlet about 1,4-dioxane is also provided.

The TARP facility was originally designed in the late 1980s to remove Trichloroethylene (TCE) from local groundwater, but does not remove 1,4-dioxane. In 2002, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notified water providers throughout theUnited States that 1,4-dioxane, a stabilizing agent that was added to TCE, was being detected at TCE cleanup sites around the country.

Tucson Water has been maintaining levels of 1,4-dioxane within the EPA’s Health Advisory level by blending water treated at the TARP facility with groundwater from other areas. However, a long-term solution requires the construction of a treatment facility designed to remove 1,4-dioxane as well as TCE. Tucson Water continues to conduct regular water sampling at the TARP facility and has established a special sampling schedule within the water delivery area to continually monitor for 1,4-dioxane. Water quality sampling results will soon be available on the Department’s website.

Individuals interested in reviewing progress of the TARP cleanup process are encouraged to attend the next meeting of the Unified Community Action Board (UCAB) on Wednesday,October 19, 2011, at 5:30 p.m. at the El Pueblo Neighborhood Center,101 West Irvington Road.

Click here for information about 1,4-dioxane, a map of the TARP delivery zone, the mailing to customers and more.

Tucson Water and water providers across the nation are promoting Smart Irrigation Month throughout July and offering as many resources as possible to help customers save water and money during a time of peak demand.

“Put every drop of water to use by minimizing evaporation and waste” is one of the messages of the Irrigation Association, which founded Smart Irrigation Month in July 2005.

Mayor Bob Walkup will issue a proclamation at the July 6 meeting of the Mayor and Council, noting that “well-functioning and properly-maintained irrigation systems deliver the right amount of water at the right time.”

“Our customers continue to exemplify responsibility in their per capita water use,” said Fernando Molina, Tucson Water Public Information Officer. “But the inevitable fact is that in the extreme heat leading up to the start of the monsoon, outdoor water use peaks. Irrigating wisely and efficiently now and throughout the year helps assure a reliable water supply for our region.”

Peak water usage days for the previous three years were 135 million gallons on June 29, 2010; 134 million gallons on June 23, 2009; and 141 million gallons on June 23, 2008. Daily water usage is less than 110 million gallons for much of the year. In late May and early June, the demand ranges from 120 to 145 million gallons a day. The peak usage day so far this year is 138 million gallons on June 27.

Molina encourages residents to visit area plumbing supply stores for information and demonstrations on the latest technology and techniques available to best serve irrigation needs.

To promote Smart Irrigation Month, Tucson Water has created a web page featuring several publications that can be downloaded or requested by postal mail, information about free workshops and classes on outdoor landscaping and maintenance, and a link to the Irrigation Association’s coloring and puzzle book for children. For all this and more, go to Hot Topics.

Tucson Water has recently been made aware of customers who were approached by individuals requesting water samples from their homes.

Tucson Water will only send technicians to a customer’s home or business to collect samples, upon request or as part of a formal water quality sampling program. In either case, prior arrangements are made with the customer. Employees retrieving samples will always be dressed in a Tucson Water uniform, drive a marked vehicle, and provide a Tucson Water identification card to verify employment.

In a recent incident, a Tucson Water customer reported being approached by individuals who identified themselves as being with “Water Quality” and requested to take a sample of water from the home. The sample was provided. It was reported that they returned the next day requesting an additional sample, and the customer refused. In both instances, the individuals would not provide their names or identification.

Tucson Water Interim Director Andrew Quigley says that Tucson Water devotes a significant amount of time and effort to ensure that customers receive high quality water. “The Water Quality Division is comprised of professional technicians and scientists who work hard to ensure that we meet all regulatory requirements related to water quality monitoring and reporting,” said Quigley. “We operate under strict protocols, and the fact that these individuals refused to produce identification should raise a red flag.”

Water quality information can be obtained by contacting Tucson Water at (520) 791-5945 or going online.

The annual “Clean Water Starts With Me” outreach campaign, coordinated by Pima Association of Governments with its Stormwater Management Working Group, gets under way in July and raises awareness about how to preserve the quality of water in our region.

After a monsoon rain, the rainwater runs across the land and picks up any pollutants left on yards, sidewalks and driveways. After running off of properties, stormwater is transported along streets where more urban pollutants can be picked up. Depositing into storm drains, the water flows directly to desert washes, without purification.

 “Clean Water Starts With Me” engages the community to prevent pollutants from accumulating in fragile desert wash environments or being deposited in stormwater retention basins where children might play. Since 2003, the Stormwater Management Working Group, composed of all the local jurisdictions, Pima County and other partners, has worked together to share a cohesive message about how to prevent stormwater pollution throughout the Tucson region during the monsoon season.

“Clean Water Starts With Me” encourages you to:
♦ Pick Up Where Your Dog Left Off
♦ Use Yard Chemicals Sparingly
♦ Fix Leaky Vehicles
♦ Never Dump Waste in Stormdrains or Washes
♦ Use Commercial Car Washes
♦ Harvest Rainwater

Recent emphasis on rainwater harvesting has captivated the community. Hundreds of sites displaying rainwater harvesting are found throughout the region, and installations are increasing rapidly. PAG’s campaign builds on this momentum because rainwater harvesting on your landscape not only conserves potable water, it also improves stormwater quality. Sunken rain gardens keep yard chemicals on site and treat runoff in the soils biologically. Also called Green Infrastructure, this practice helps our environment, economy and human health. By harvesting rainwater, we can store water in the soil for vegetation, create habitat, cool and shade urban neighborhoods, reduce energy demands, increase land values, improve air quality through the trees nourished in the rain gardens, reduce flood flows, and keep downstream desert washes clean.

Outreach and public awareness are critical for building community involvement, values and understanding. “Clean Water Starts With Me” connects the dots between our urban life and impacts on the natural environment. The Tucson region has long been known for its desert conservation ethic that serves as an example to other arid regions and, moreover, the region has recently received attention as a model for Green Infrastructure (GI) in U.S. Environmental Protection Agency publications.

In another example of green achievements, the “Clean Water Starts With Me” campaign is now included in the EPA’s Pollution Outreach Toolbox. Our materials now help other communities develop effective and targeted outreach campaigns. Our slogan is used by several localities statewide. Similarly, other communities in Arizona have begun to model their construction industry outreach programs on our Working Group’s efforts.
Remember that anything left on the land can end up in the water when the rains come. Share your awareness with others! Be on the lookout for our outreach message in our upcoming multi-media campaign:

♦ Movie Theaters

♦ Buses

♦ Billboards

♦ Magazines

♦ Radio

♦ Television
♦ At PAG.storm.com and on Facebook

Pima Association of Governments is an association of local, state and tribal governments with a mission to build consensus among its members and the public on regional planning for transportation, air quality and water quality.

City Hall and City business offices, including all Council offices except for Council Member Regina Romero’s Ward 1 office and Council Member Karin Uhlich’s Ward 3 office, will be closed on Friday, June 17, 2011, for a furlough day.

9-1-1 and fire/medical emergency dispatch services will be maintained on Friday. Certain other designated City operations and services will continue on Friday by alternating furlough hours for employees.

The Tucson Convention Center Administration and ticket offices will be open on Friday.

Tucson Water and the Tucson Department of Transportation will have standby crews available on Friday to respond to emergency situations as needed.

Tucson Parks and Recreation administrative offices will be closed on Friday; however, the Reid Park Zoo will be open for summer hours from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.  All five Tucson City Golf courses and Golf Administration will also remain open on Friday.

Environmental Services trash and recycling collection will have regular service on Friday. The Los Reales Landfill and the Household Hazardous Waste Facility will remain open on Friday.

Tucson City Court will be closed on Friday. Its website can be accessed for information including verifying a court date and making a payment online.

Tucson Water offices will be closed on Friday, and services will not be available until Monday, June 20. However, account information and payment options are available 24 hours by calling 791-3242, and selecting option 1. Account information or payment options are also available through the internet. During furlough days, emergencies that are not related to billing issues may be reported by calling 791-4133.

This is the City’s last scheduled unpaid furlough day in Fiscal Year 2010-2011 where City offices will be closed for regular business. The furlough applies to all employees except commissioned Tucson Police and commissioned Tucson Fire employees, and designated City Departments which will continue service by using alternate furlough schedules.

If your property’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood status changes due to the new FEMA maps, you may be required to buy FEMA flood insurance.  Lower cost preferred rate policies are available until June 16, 2011.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has published the new Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM’s) which become effective June 16, 2011.  These updated maps affect several jurisdictions within Pima County, including Tucson. 

If a home is in a high-risk flood area and the mortgage was obtained through a federally regulated or insured lender, that homeowner is required to purchase a flood insurance policy. Flood insurance for preferred rate policies start at $129 per year.  High risk flood zone rates can be over a $1,500 per year.

Potential discounted rates for insurable structures on your parcel may be available -  so talk to your insurance agent before June 16, 2011, or click here. 

If property owners missed the FEMA Open Houses held last month and would like to find out a property’s flood status, flood information is available from 8 AM to 4 PM at the City of Tucson’s Planning and Development Services Department, Engineering Counter, 1st floor, 201 N. Stone Ave., Tucson, Arizona 85701.)

* Search for FEMA flood info for your property address. 
* Instructional video
* Answers to City of Tucson DFIRM frequently asked questions