Multiple water ideas on the table in Scottsdale as city hall debate continues

SCOTTSDALE, AZ (AZFamily) — Cuts to Arizona’s Colorado River allotment are forcing cities across the Valley to find new drinking water sources, and Scottsdale is among them.

City leaders are set to meet at Scottsdale City Hall Tuesday to discuss a new ordinance targeting the city’s biggest water users.

Residents react to recycled wastewater idea

Scottsdale has already proposed sending recycled wastewater downstream and trading it for another city’s share of Central Arizona Project water. To make the trade, the water would be pumped directly into the canal system.

Some Valley residents said they would not drink recycled wastewater.

“I just think it’s filthy, not filtered, probably all dirty,” Kevin said.

“I just don’t think so. I just don’t know if I’d believe that it had been enough of a process to feel safe drinking it,” Laura said.

“Well, it’s wastewater; it’s got, you know, human waste in it,” Bob said.

Bob said he would want to know more about how the water is recycled.

Councilwoman raises concerns about canal swap

Councilwoman Solange Whitehead said the proposed swap would raise water rates and make Scottsdale more reliant on the Central Arizona Project system, which is facing cuts.

“If you allow politics to override good water policy, what you end up is with higher costs and lower security,” Whitehead said.

City considers new rule for large water users

The canal swap is one of several proposals under consideration. Scottsdale leaders are also set to take up a new rule that water experts say would give the city power to set water standards for its biggest users, including homeowners associations and resorts.

In a statement, the mayor called the proposal a “prudent, responsible step that puts Scottsdale in a position to thoughtfully manage growth.”

“As we continue to attract investment, we must ensure that projects with substantial water demands are evaluated through the lens of long-term impacts upon our community. This is about being proactive today, so Scottsdale remains resilient tomorrow,” she wrote.

Whitehead said she supports a large water user ordinance but said no single policy will resolve the city’s larger water challenges.

“I support a large water user ordinance, we need it, but it won’t by any means get us back on track in Scottsdale, we cannot conserve our way out of this,” Whitehead said.

The Scottsdale City Council meeting began Tuesday evening. No vote or decision is set to be made on the ordinance during the meeting.

See a spelling or grammatical error in our story? Please click here to report it.

Do you have a photo or video of a breaking news story? Send it to us here with a brief description.