‘Pumped’ hydropower plans proliferate; one in particular stirs opposition
WASHNGTON - Plans for pumped storage hydropower projects - which recirculate water on a loop to generate power - are proliferating in Arizona, but one in particular, at Black Mesa on the Navajo Nation, has drawn opposition from local groups.
Montezuma Castle among Arizona national park sites combating vandalism
PHOENIX – In March, Montezuma Castle National Monument used burlap to cover the bark of six Arizona sycamore trees that had been vandalized along public trails. Vandalism has been an ongoing issue at Arizona’s national park sites.
Winter snow could help recharge the Colorado River. But what if it doesn’t?
The snows falling in the mountains of Colorado are the first step toward recharging the Colorado River. But this winter's precipitation outlook is unclear, and how it unfolds will have an outsized impact on coming years of managing the drought-stressed river.
ADEQ proposes framework for converting wastewater into purified drinking water
PHOENIX – Recently, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality released a proposed roadmap outlining plans to convert treated wastewater into purified drinking water. The Advanced Water Purification Program roadmap establishes and explains the technical standards to which purification technology will be held.
Some breathing room as water managers meet to weigh Colorado River’s future
The Colorado River Water Users Association meets this week, but for the first time in years, state water policy leaders see less need for short-term fixes and more time to plan long term, after a wet winter and a conservation deal bought some breathing room.
Vintage resale: Sustainable business endeavor grows for fashion enthusiasts
PHOENIX – Vintage reselling has become a popular full-time job for fashion enthusiasts in the past few years, and vintage markets have become a destination for young shoppers hoping to lessen their environmental impact by avoiding fast fashion.
Arizona rattlesnakes could be affected by I-11 construction
QUEEN CREEK – Arizona is home to more than a dozen rattlesnake species, the highest number in the U.S. But as the Valley continues to build transportation infrastructure with potential projects like the I-11 corridor, some of these species could be displaced.
Arizona Game and Fish restocks lakes with fish grown in hatcheries
PAGE SPRINGS – Arizona Game and Fish grows fish to replenish the state’s lakes. This supports those who enjoy the pastime while also keeping the state’s environment vibrant.
New climate report shows impact of drying on human health in Southwest
The arid West is getting drier, posing a boatload of risks to human health in the region. Those findings come from a new federal report on that says hazards brought on by changing climate patterns range from flooding to wildfires, drought to rising sea levels.
An innovative flush: Phoenix turns to artificial intelligence for improved wastewater monitoring
PHOENIX – Phoenix’s Water Services Department has embarked on a pilot program utilizing artificial intelligence in the sewer system to detect irregularities in wastewater and ultimately enhance water quality.
Phoenix considers expanding boundaries, inventory for e-scooter and e-bike program
PHOENIX – The city of Phoenix is gathering public comment on the expansion of its e-scooter and e-bike micromobility program after data from vendors shows positive results from the current program.
Tap water is cheap, but old pipes, a shrinking Colorado could change that
With aging infrastructure in need of replacement, water departments in the Colorado River basin are starting to invest in new systems that will also help cope with shrinking water supplies. But that means big spending, costs that will get passed on to customers.
