[Water is a big issue in the southwest, and it's bound to become bigger. Almost everywhere in the country, water availability will have to be a consideration in creating zoning for durable places.
This is an EXCERPT: read the whole article here. -Ed.]

County supervisors OK water adequacy rule: First in state to require 100-year supply of water for subdivisions
By Shar Porier

"From now on, the Cochise County Board of Supervisors can turn down developers wanting to build subdivisions if proof of 100-year water adequacy cannot be obtained."

"With a unanimous vote during last Tuesday's meeting, the supervisors approved what is a first in the state - the amendment to the zoning regulations that stipulates water availability within any subdivision has to meet Arizona Department of Water Resources criteria for 100-year adequacy. Any proposed subdivision that cannot prove water adequacy will be denied."

"So what is water adequacy for the county as defined by ADWR?"

"As explained by Tom Whitmer, ADWR regional water resources planning section manager, 'For a proposed subdivision that will be receiving water from a water provider or a central system, the definition currently states that if over the course of 100 years the projected demand from that subdivision will not cause the ground water table to decline below 1,200 feet from the surface of the ground, then it is deemed to have an adequate water supply for 100 years. If the proposed subdivision is going to be a dry lot subdivision, one that allows private wells on each lot, then the combined projected water use of that subdivision needs to demonstrate that over the course of 100 years, the groundwater table will not decline below 400 feet from the surface.'"

Photo credits:
Sara Goldsmith
Frank Tellez