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Dahl Advocates for ‘Toilet to Tap’ Initiative While Urging Greater Water Conservation Efforts

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Dahl: 'Toilet to tap' plan is good, but more water conservation is even better

Kevin Dahl, the Tucson city councilman representing Ward 3, is addressing urgent water issues as the coming summer threatens to be even hotter than last year’s record heat. This temperature increase, coupled with diminishing rainfall, poses significant challenges, particularly for Tucson’s water supply.

The Colorado River, Tucson’s primary water source, is experiencing drastically reduced flow levels. This decline affects not only Tucson but also other cities across Arizona and six additional states, stemming from an agreement established during a time of plentiful water and a smaller population.

With reservoir levels behind the Boulder and Glen Canyon dams continuing to fall, a mandatory reallocation of water resources is anticipated. The Tucson City Council recently voted to relinquish a portion of its Colorado River allocation in exchange for $20 million and federal funding to build a treatment plant that will convert treated effluent into potable water.

Councilman Dahl removed this proposal from the consent agenda to emphasize the necessity of enhancing Tucson’s commitment to water conservation. As a city-owned utility, Tucson Water is overseen by the mayor and the council, which are accountable to the residents. The utility has a strong record of stewardship, as outlined in its recent water plan.

Thanks to the community’s dedication to conservation efforts, Tucson uses less water annually than it receives from the Colorado River, allowing the city to conserve the surplus underground in Avra Valley. This strategy has enabled Tucson to agree to temporary reductions in water allotments while receiving substantial financial compensation.

Upon review of the deal, Dahl urged for deeper consideration of climate change impacts and a stronger focus on conservation methods. “Conserving water—through measures like WaterSmart appliances, repairing old pipes, using waterless toilets, and harvesting rainwater—requires much less investment than sourcing new water,” he explained.

This contrasts starkly with the more complex and costly “Toilet to Tap” treatment system. Although this terminology tends to evoke hesitation, engineers prefer terms such as Advanced Water Purification and Direct Potable Reuse. Cities across Arizona are adopting similar frameworks, branding them under the Arizona Pure Water initiative, with Tucson’s version named Arizona Pure Water Tucson.

Despite the awkward terminology, one reporter noted that “toilet to tap” generates substantial media attention, even if it misrepresents the actual process. Dahl recalled a humorous misunderstanding by a dyslexic friend regarding the term, emphasizing the unfortunate branding around a vital resource.

Looking ahead, he remains an advocate for water conservation and the beneficial use of stormwater while ensuring the safety and quality of Tucson’s water supply. With advanced filtration methods underway, experts assert that the resultant water quality will far exceed federal standards.

Tucson has previously demonstrated effective responses to pollution incidents, such as TCE and PFAs in the aquifer. As the city navigates its water future, Dahl’s call to action underscores the critical nature of responsible management in the Sonoran Desert, leaving no margin for error.